18th August 2018 - Lathkill Dale from Monyash
Walk Details
Distance walked: 10.4 miles
Total ascent: 1552 ft
OS map used: OL24 - The Peak District, White Peak area
Time taken: 5.5 hrs
Route description: Monyash-B5055-Lathkill Dale-Cales Dale-Calling Low-Limestone Way-Back Lane-Moor Lane-Back Lane-Meadow Place Grange-Conksbury-Conksbury Bridge-Lathkill Dale-Ricklow Dale-Lathkill Dale-B5055-Monyash
A forecast of indifferent weather made the decision about the location of my walk this weekend, the Peak District. Low cloud and grey skies to the north of where I live but an expectation of it to brighten up down in the Peak District. I decided to head to Monyash for a walk through and around Lathkill Dale, one of the dales in the White Peak. This was my third visit and I'm reaching the conclusion that this is my favourite of the limestone dales, especially given the views that can be enjoyed from being able to walk up on the dale edge. I set off from Monyash in the morning with pretty grey and overcast skies but it did brighten up in the afternoon as promised to give some warm sunny spells, and I had the best weather of the day just when I wanted it, as I was walking up on the dale edge in the afternoon. Perfect timing.
From the car park in Monyash I walked by the B5055 east out of the village to reach the footpath into Lathkill Dale. I then followed the path east along the valley bottom until I reached the footbridge for the path up into the side valley of Cales Dale, which took me to the trail of the Limestone Way. This trail was then followed east, up out of Cales Dale and across fields to Back Lane. I crossed the road and then walked down Moor Lane until I reached a footpath on the left which I followed north across Back Lane and down to Meadow Place Grange. The farm's access track then took me to Conksbury and a walk down Back Lane to Conksbury Bridge. From Conksbury Bridge I followed the path up Lathkill Dale until it had passed through Palmerston Wood and reached the path up to Mill Farm on the right. This was where I got onto the top of access land and the northern edge of the dale, by walking north towards Mill Farm for a short distance. I then followed the dale edge west all the way to the side valley of Ricklow Dale. After crossing Ricklow Dale I had to return to the path along the bottom of Lathkill Dale to pick up my outbound route for the return to Monyash.
Total ascent: 1552 ft
OS map used: OL24 - The Peak District, White Peak area
Time taken: 5.5 hrs
Route description: Monyash-B5055-Lathkill Dale-Cales Dale-Calling Low-Limestone Way-Back Lane-Moor Lane-Back Lane-Meadow Place Grange-Conksbury-Conksbury Bridge-Lathkill Dale-Ricklow Dale-Lathkill Dale-B5055-Monyash
A forecast of indifferent weather made the decision about the location of my walk this weekend, the Peak District. Low cloud and grey skies to the north of where I live but an expectation of it to brighten up down in the Peak District. I decided to head to Monyash for a walk through and around Lathkill Dale, one of the dales in the White Peak. This was my third visit and I'm reaching the conclusion that this is my favourite of the limestone dales, especially given the views that can be enjoyed from being able to walk up on the dale edge. I set off from Monyash in the morning with pretty grey and overcast skies but it did brighten up in the afternoon as promised to give some warm sunny spells, and I had the best weather of the day just when I wanted it, as I was walking up on the dale edge in the afternoon. Perfect timing.
From the car park in Monyash I walked by the B5055 east out of the village to reach the footpath into Lathkill Dale. I then followed the path east along the valley bottom until I reached the footbridge for the path up into the side valley of Cales Dale, which took me to the trail of the Limestone Way. This trail was then followed east, up out of Cales Dale and across fields to Back Lane. I crossed the road and then walked down Moor Lane until I reached a footpath on the left which I followed north across Back Lane and down to Meadow Place Grange. The farm's access track then took me to Conksbury and a walk down Back Lane to Conksbury Bridge. From Conksbury Bridge I followed the path up Lathkill Dale until it had passed through Palmerston Wood and reached the path up to Mill Farm on the right. This was where I got onto the top of access land and the northern edge of the dale, by walking north towards Mill Farm for a short distance. I then followed the dale edge west all the way to the side valley of Ricklow Dale. After crossing Ricklow Dale I had to return to the path along the bottom of Lathkill Dale to pick up my outbound route for the return to Monyash.
Route map
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After leaving Monyash I've reached the top of Lathkill Dale
The dale soon deepens and I'm surrounded by limestone crags
A Great Mullein grows out of a limestone boulder
Making my way down Lathkill Dale..
A patch of sunshine approaches as I look back
Crags around a side valley. I'll walk round its top later in the day.
A couple more photos as I continue east down the valley..
Lathkill Dale was left for Cales Dale and as I join the trail of the Limestone Way I leave the dale via a steep flight of steps
Lathkill Dale to the north from the Limestone Way
I continue to follow the trail east towards Low Moor Plantation
and then across fields to Back Lane
Looking back as I reach Back Lane
Heading north across fields to Meadow Place Grange with the village of Over Haddon on the hillside in the distance
Looking back to Meadow Place Grange..
..from the bridleway to Conksbury
The River Lathkill from Conksbury Bridge
A look over the edge reveals the noise that I could hear. Swans and their cygnets.
Following the River Lathkill upstream..
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There are several weirs on this stretch of the river but it was the colour of the water below this one that made me stop and take a photo
Walking through Palmerston Wood
I've left the valley bottom for the path to Mill Farm and this is where I reach the top of access land by heading up the hillside to the left
Looking west up Lathkill Dale with Low Wood on the left
Mill Farm
Looking down Lathkill Dale
and across the White Peak countryside
Great limestone scenery as I follow the top of access land west...
Looking across to Cales Dale
More great scenery unfolds as I continue west towards and then around the side valley I passed earlier in the day........
Looking up the side valley..
..and down Lathkill Dale from Parson's Tor
Approaching the head of Lathkill Dale
My last chance to look down the valley before I reach Ricklow Dale
Disused quarries in Ricklow Dale
The top of Lathkill Dale and the road to Monyash in sight
A last look back before I return to Monyash and a well earned ice-cream