Millers Dale - Chee Dale - Chelmorton - Taddington - Priestcliffe - Millers Dale

Paul John Bridgett

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This walk includes some of the most dramatic limestone gorge walking in Derbyshire, following the River Wye through Chee Dale and Wye Dale, with some steep rocky scrambles descending well-worn natural stone steps into the valley gorge of Chee Dale. There is also some very easy riverside path-walking. The path from Wye Dale towards Chelmorton climbs a narrow steep gully from the side of an active limestone quarry; the path is fenced beside the quarry road.

The return is quite the opposite, climbing from Chelmorton to Sough Top above Taddington with extensive views towards Hope and Castleton to Monsal Head and Bakewell. The route descends to Millers Dale beside a disused quarry now managed as an nature reserve, giving some interesting wildflowers and birdwatching.

The pub in the middle on this walk, the 'Church Inn', welcomes walkers and has recently been refurbished, keeping stone-flagged flooring in the bar area. They have a reasonable menu with some choice real ales at sensible prices. They may ask for very muddy boots to be removed or covered.

Please note Phil Dando's comment about dogs on leads on the Monsal Trail.

England - Central England - Derbyshire - Peak District

Features

Birds, Church, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Industrial Archaeology, Nature Trail, Pub, River, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

9/24/2012 - daron linney

Completed this walk on Saturday 22/09/2012, an excellent walk, but more like 11 miles according to my satmap, also adding to the comment on suitability for dogs, the first section through the gorge following the river, up to the point where you go past the cave, and ascend to farmland represents no problems to dogs, however the next part is in my view unsuitable for dogs. There are many awkward stiles, which getting a dog over is hard work [I have a springer, with a ruffwear harness], if you have a larger dog then you might struggle. In addition there are many fields to cross with cows; they did not like the presence of my dog. I was lucky to be in a party of 5 walkers, so was able to hide my dog to a certain extent. Like I said, an excellent walk, but not with a dog.

5/25/2012 - Alan Sturges

Have completed this walk and variations several times over the years. Wonderful walk. A must do for me!

10/15/2011 - Jon Dean

With this walk the reward is worth all the effort you put in as it goes from a dramatic limestone gorge to a height where you can see the surrounding area in all its glory. You will find some scrambling as you follow you nose after you leave the quarry. When you reach point 30 on the map don’t follow the route take a detour if you want a challenge. You go straight on following a well-defined path that will lead you to steps down the hillside. I say steps in the loose sense of the word, as you go down 250Mtrs in 250Mtrs on steps cut into the path which is very precarious but worth the challenge as you descend through the woods onto the main road(B6049). You are now only 100Mtrs from the car park. Cross the road into the T-junction where to your left you will see a sign to Monsal trail via a flight of steps which bring you out opposite the station/car park. After the walk take a trip to the Anglers Rest just off the B6049 for a pint and sandwich from its bar menu Postcode: SK17 8SN

8/7/2006 - Phil Dando

Very nice walk offering a wonderful variety of Derbyshire countryside. One thing to note is in the odd few places where the path joins with the Monsal Trail dogs have to be kept on leads which is not the most enjoyable way of walking a Springer Spaniel!

6/18/2006 - Stephen Harris

Excellent walk of great distance and variety. A little dangerous in places and walking poles are definitely recommended for the Gorge sections and the section after the Quarry. Other than this an excellent peak district walk!. 9/10.

9/20/2005 - Walkingworld Administrator

This walk was rewalked and updated by the contributor September 2005.

5/21/2004 - fred williams

My wife and I completed this walk last weekend in fantastic weather, we started from Taddington via Chelmorton and back, completing the day with a pint in the Waterloo Hotel.