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Gratton Dale - Peak District Walk
Tuesday 2nd October 2007
Today's route was inspired by a route in this months Trail Magazine which visited several of my favourite spots but on a route I had never tried before. This meant I also got to visit two new areas for me; Gratton Dale and a part of Bradford Dale I hadn't walked before.
Start: Elton (SK 2215 6096)
Route: Elton - Gratton Dale - Long Dale - Gratton Moor - Bradford Dale - Limestone Way - Robin Hood's Stride - Limestone Way - Elton
Distance: 9.25 miles Ascent: 439 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 40 mins
Weather: Generally grey with the occasional glimpse of blue sky.
Pub Visited: None Ale Drunk: None
![Anthony Hill Anthony Hill](2007-10-02/antony%20hill.jpg)
Anthony Hill as we leave Elton and head down Gratton Lane.
![Limekiln Limekiln](2007-10-02/limekiln.jpg)
An old limekiln at the entrance to Gratton Dale.
![Gratton Dale Gratton Dale](2007-10-02/gratton%20dale.jpg)
The wooded Gratton Dale.
![Gratton Dale Gratton Dale](2007-10-02/gratton%20dale1.jpg)
Looking back to Gratton Dale as we enter Long Dale.
![Long Dale Long Dale](2007-10-02/long%20dale.jpg)
Long Dale another dry dale but completely clear of trees.
![](2007-10-02/tree.jpg)
As we turned off Weaddow Lane I spotted this tree which appears to be growing out of the limestone.
![Bradford Dale Bradford Dale](2007-10-02/bradford.jpg)
The start of Bradford Dale.
![](2007-10-02/bridge.jpg)
The inscription on the bridge across the river.
![Bradford Dale Bradford Dale](2007-10-02/river%20bradford.jpg)
The river Bradford in Bradford Dale.
![Youlgrave Youlgrave](2007-10-02/youlgrave.jpg)
Looking back to Youlgrave as we head along the Limestone Way.
![Robin Hood's Stride Robin Hood's Stride](2007-10-02/rhs.jpg)
Robin Hood's Stride. As I had company and it was a dry day we decided to explore the top of the rocky outcrop.
![Robin Hood's Stride Robin Hood's Stride](2007-10-02/rhs1.jpg)
Looking towards Elton on Robin Hood's Stride.
![Robin Hood's Stride Robin Hood's Stride](2007-10-02/rhs2.jpg)
Looking in the opposite direction towards Stanton.
![Derwent Valley & the Edges Derwent Valley & the Edges](2007-10-02/rhs%20view.jpg)
The view from Robin Hood's Stride. The moor in the background is Big Moor at the southern end of the Derwent Valley.
![Hermit's Cave Hermit's Cave](2007-10-02/cross.jpg)
We took a slight diversion and went to look at the Hermit's Cave in Cratcliff Tor. This is the cross/crucifix which is carved into the cave wall.
![Cratcliff Tor Cratcliff Tor](2007-10-02/cat%20tor.jpg)
Cratcliff Tor from the Limestone Way.
![Harthill Moor Harthill Moor](2007-10-02/harthill%20moor.jpg)
Looking across to the edge of Harthill Moor as head back towards Elton.
All pictures copyright © Peak Walker 2006-2023