Ilam - Stanshope - Dove Dale - Ilam

A walk though Dove Dale is always worth doing, no matter how busy it might be. This walk gives the chance to see some of the limestone upland which surrounds it as well. Starting from the National Trust car park at Ilam Hall it heads upstream along the wooded valley of the River Manifold before climbing out past the Grade II* listed Casterne Hall. Then it strikes-out across a typical White Peak landscape of grass fields and dry limestone walls to the small hamlet of Stanshope. From here the walk descends down the beautiful dry valley of Hall Dale to meet the River Dove at the north end of Dove Dale. We then follow the Dove downstream past the spectacular pinnacles of Ilam Rock, Pickering Tor and Tissington Spires. Then climb to the popular resting place at Lover’s Leap high above the river, try to see if you can count 12 apostles on the valley-side opposite! Descending again we come to the famous stepping-stones and continue to the usually very busy area by the car park at the mouth of the dale. Leaving the crowds behind briefly we cross the fields back to the picture postcard village of Ilam with it’s Grade II* memorial In the style of the Eleanor Crosses, and follow the drive to Ilam Hall and the car park.

England - Central England - Staffordshire - Peak District

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11/14/2012 - Walkingworld Administrator

Instruction corrected, thank you. Chris, Admin, Walkingworld.

11/12/2012 - Robert Greybrook

Instruction 8 - the signpost shows Hall Dale not Hope Dale, as borne out by the map, going down to the River Dove, Hope Dale is the opposite direction

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Walk id: 5962

Walk grade

Moderate Walk

Length

7.5 Miles

Height gain

280 Metres

Duration

3 Hours 28 Mins

Average rating

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