| Like most of the dales of the White peak, this dale
is full of geological history, fascinating limestone
cliffs and lush green forestry. However one thing you
don't very often find in this Dale is people. Lathkill
Dale is one of the quietest of all the White Peaks beautiful
dales. It surprises me however as it is definitely one
of the best and also accessible.
Monyash
|
Limestone Way
|
The starting point of the walk is the village of Monyash.
Monyash is an attractive little village with around
a hundred houses, a small village green and a top quality
old country pub, The Bulls Head. The village itself
was built as a residential area for the surrounding
lead mining industry which thrived here many years ago
now, the Magpie Mine being one of the most well known
and the relics of it still remain. There are a few parking
spaces just outside the pub, but if this area is busy
then just round the corner from the pub on the road
towards Flagg there is a car park around 50 yards down
on the left.
From the village green head down the road that leads
south, passing the Fere Mere on the left as it then
bend to the left. There were once 5 natural clay lined
mere's in the Monyash area which were also vital to
existence during its industrial and farming height.
The road will after a few hundred yards turn right,
however as the road goes right a track carries straight
on past the farm on the left. The track is well sign
posted as it is the Limestone Way, follow the Limestone
Way track as it weaves through a patchwork of green
fields. The track will eventually get thinner and less
defined until eventually at Fern Dale it turns into
a footpath which crosses the fields. The views on a
summers day of the blue skies blending with the lush
green scenery are so relaxing that sometimes you can
forget about the rather scary sheep and cattle that
stalk you as you walk through there fields.
Near Grange Ash Farm
|
Cales Dale
|
You will eventually stumble upon Grange Ash Farm, this
is a very old farm with much history and you can see
that in its great buildings. Although a lot of farms
are not always walker friendly this one is an exception,
the footpath leads right through the farm and at one
end of the farm is the Peak National Park Camp Barn.
At the far end of the farm to the left of the Camping
Barn there is a stone wall with a slight opening in
it, go through the opening into the field outside the
back of the farm, rabbit's can often be seen running
around this quiet place so enter slowly and you may
be fortunate enough to see one before it hides from
your presence. Follow the obvious path to a stile at
the end of the field.
River Lathkill
|
Limestone Cliffs
|
The stile leads to a small rocky descent into Cales
Dale. Follow the path until it reaches a junction with
the Cales Dale path and turn left following the path
that runs along side the limestone walls of the dale.
You will eventually come to the very centre of Lathkill
Dale where it meets Cales Dale. Follow the wooden bridge
over the River Lathkill and then after taking in the
views of some huge limestone cliffs and luscious woodland
located in this beautiful limestone dale, turn left
along the footpath.
There is a path now that leads up to the roof of the
dale and in good weather and with enough time you should
definitely give this a chance, the views from up here
down each way of Lathkill Dale and down the opposite
Cales Dale are some of the best in the Peak District.
The views show just how the the dale is hidden away
in the vast patchwork of green farm land. Once you have
taken these views in descend and follow the path that
heads north west against the flow of the river. The
Lathkill River isn't always what it seems, in the height
of summer it can often disappear underground and in
winter can be a raging torrent of water.
Cales Dale and Lathkill Dale
|
Upper Lathkill Dale
|
Follow the path as it leads slowly upwards and out
of the dale. Old openings and entrances to the lead
mines that once scared this once industrial dale can
be seen in the hill sides. The path then turns left
at the point where the small dry valley of Parson's
Tor leads off to the right. On your left just after
the bend you will reach Lathkill Head Cave on the left,
this is the place where the River Lathkill appears from
in the winter. Follow the path again as it continues
at a steady ascent out of the dale.
Lathkill River Cave
|
Near Ricklow Quarry
|
About half a mile further on you will see some very
obvious signs of the industrial graveyard that is Ricklow
Quarry before eventually the path turns a little rocky
until it leads through a gorgeous small gorge where
the limestone cliffs move closer together and the path
weaves through small ash trees. You will cross over
a few wooden stiles before eventually meeting the B5055
road that leads through Monyash. At this point you can
either head back to the village via the road or cross
the road and add another mile to your journey by following
this path round the back of Monyash to the Flagg road
at the end of which if you turn left you will end up
back at the village green. After this great little walk
the welcoming warmth of the Bull's Inn and the smell
of its tasty food make it a must every time!
|
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Duration
: 2.5 Hrs
