30th June 2013 - A White Peak Dales Walk
Walk Details
Distance walked: 11.5 miles
Total ascent: 1940 ft
OS map used: OL24 - The Peak District, White Peak area
Time taken: 7 hrs
Route description: Miller's Dale car park-Monsal Trail-Chee Dale-Pennine Bridleway-Wormhill-Pennine Bridleway-Wheston-Pennine Bridleway-Hay Dale-Peter Dale-Monk's Dale-Miller's Dale car park
This was my first visit to the White Peak area of the Peak District and a thoroughly enjoyable experience it was too with plenty of limestone scenery to enjoy.
From the Miller's Dale car park I took the Monsal Trail for a while before heading down into Chee Dale to follow the riverside path up the valley. Just before Chee Dale becomes Wye Dale I climbed up to rejoin the Monsal Trail briefly until it encounters the Pennine Bridleway. I then followed the Pennine Bridleway across the countryside through Wormhill and Wheston to reach Hay Dale. This is where I left the PB to make my way down Hay Dale, Peter Dale and Monk's Dale back to the start.
Total ascent: 1940 ft
OS map used: OL24 - The Peak District, White Peak area
Time taken: 7 hrs
Route description: Miller's Dale car park-Monsal Trail-Chee Dale-Pennine Bridleway-Wormhill-Pennine Bridleway-Wheston-Pennine Bridleway-Hay Dale-Peter Dale-Monk's Dale-Miller's Dale car park
This was my first visit to the White Peak area of the Peak District and a thoroughly enjoyable experience it was too with plenty of limestone scenery to enjoy.
From the Miller's Dale car park I took the Monsal Trail for a while before heading down into Chee Dale to follow the riverside path up the valley. Just before Chee Dale becomes Wye Dale I climbed up to rejoin the Monsal Trail briefly until it encounters the Pennine Bridleway. I then followed the Pennine Bridleway across the countryside through Wormhill and Wheston to reach Hay Dale. This is where I left the PB to make my way down Hay Dale, Peter Dale and Monk's Dale back to the start.
Route map
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Leaving the Miller's Dale car park by the Monsal Trail
I soon left it though to follow the River Wye up Chee Dale...
Negotiating the Chee Steps
Out of the ravine now and back on the Monsal Trail. Through Chee Tor No2 Tunnel.
Leaving Chee Dale behind as I take the Pennine Bridleway to Wormhill
Wye Dale from the same spot
Flag Dale
I've passed through Wormhill and I'm still on the Pennine Bridleway as it heads down to Monk's Dale..
Turn right and follow the road to Wheston. I'll be crossing this road later in the walk as I head down Peter Dale and Monk's Dale
Wheston Hall in Wheston
On the Limestone Way out of Wheston
White Peak countryside..
On the bridleway down to Hay Dale
Dam Dale
Around the corner and Dam Dale becomes Hay Dale
Hay Dale is a National Nature Reserve
In Hay Dale and..
..looking back at Hay Dale..
..as I enter Peter Dale
That's the road that I encountered earlier in the day. Across it and I'll be in Monk's Dale.
Into the dense woodland of Monk's Dale. Wet limestone underfoot and overhanging branches didn't make for the most pleasant experience.
Back at the Miller's Dale car park