Lathkill Dale from Monyash

Difficulty : EasyDuration : 2.5 HrsDistance : 6.5 Km

Full route description for this walk

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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