A gentle walk; 4 miles approx.
From the centre of Hartington village head for the fabulous Hartington Farm Shop and Café on Mill Lane.
Take the signed footpath that’s tucked in between the café and the public toilets next door (to the right of the café.
You cross a small stile and you are immediately struck by fantastic views of open countryside in front and to your right.
Walk through the fields keeping a steep bank to your left. The path is clear and has obviously been well trodden in the past as you head down what feels like a very open valley.
After a few minutes you notice that the River Dove is getting nearer.
You walk through a spinney called Morson Wood.
The terrain is now very different. The river (and the pathway) cuts through high rocks on both sides of the water.
As we continued to walk through the dale the sound of running water accompanied us.
At Pike Pool there’s a footbridge allowing you to cross the river. The bank continues along the right-hand side. As we walked through the dappled light lit up the leaves, picking out the brown, orange and golden foliage that remained on the trees. Most leaves had already fallen, allowing us to walk through the soft carpet they had created on the pathway.
Soon you’ll reach another footbridge which crosses the river. Cross over and continue walk down the dale.
The path departs slightly from the bank and takes a direct route across a meadow.
When you reach a third footbridge you’ve reached the end of Beresford Dale. This bridge is called Frank-i-th-Rocks bridge. This marks the starts of Wolfscote Dale.
Exploring this dale will have to wait for another day. Don’t cross over. Instead take a sharp left, following the track as it climbs up above the dale.
You are now accompanied by a classic stone wall (to your left) as you continue to gain height. The track leads onto a lane. Turn left here.
When the track veers to the right, follow the signed footpath straight ahead. You will pass the isolated Staden Barn. You are now surrounded by open countryside.
Turn left along Reynards Lane, a quiet road leading down into Hartington.
You see the spire of the church before you can make out the full outline of the village. And then you soon reach the centre of Hartington.
See the links below for more related articles;
Dovedale to Hartington river walk
A lovely, varied circular walk from Alstonefield, taking in the river Dove and Narrowdale Hill
Ashbourne to Hartington and back along the Tissington Trail … Peak District cycling at its best. 11 miles each way.