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Dove Dale - Peak District Walk
Wednesday 6th September 2017
The previous night's weather forecast suggested the best of the sun would be in the south of the Peak District today so I decided to head south and visit Dove Dale. As ever I parked in Milldale and managed to get the dale to myself until I got to Ilam Rock where the crowds started arriving from the opposite end of the dale.
Start: Milldale car park (SK 1365 5477)
Route: Milldale Car park - Dove Dale - Bunster Hill - Dovedale Wood - Ilam Rock - Dove Dale - Milldale car park
Distance: 7 miles Ascent: 409 metres Time Taken: 4 hrs 15 mins
Terrain: Clear paths
Weather: Sunny to start, then increasingly overcast with some light rain
Pub Visited: None Ale Drunk: None
![Milldale Milldale](2017-09-06/milldale.jpg)
Walking through a very quiet Milldale.
![Viator's Bridge Viator's Bridge](2017-09-06/viator.jpg)
I enter Dove Dale via Viator's Bridge.
![Dove Dale Dove Dale](2017-09-06/dove dale.jpg)
There are signs that the weather forecast might be correct and I'm in for a sunny day.
![Baley Hill Baley Hill](2017-09-06/dove dale1.jpg)
Ahead of me is Baley Hill and it appears I have the dale to myself.
![Dove Dale Dove Dale](2017-09-06/dove dale2.jpg)
As I continue through the dale the only sound is the River Dove.
![Ravens Tor Ravens Tor](2017-09-06/ravens tor.jpg)
Ravens Tor comes into sight as the weather continues to improve.
![Dove Holes Dove Holes](2017-09-06/dove holes.jpg)
Dove Holes comes into sight and it is decision time, do I go up or remain in the dale.
![Ilam Rock Ilam Rock](2017-09-06/ilam rock.jpg)
I reach Ilam Rock and I still haven't met anyone, although that was about to change
as the crowds started coming from the opposite side of the dale.
![River Dove River Dove](2017-09-06/river dove.jpg)
Approaching a section of the dale I rarely visit, where the path is carried on planks above the River Dove.
![Dovedale Wood Dovedale Wood](2017-09-06/dove dale wood.jpg)
Dovedale Wood from Lover's Leap. The area was full of people who were predominantly expressing the opinion that they were going no further, which is a shame as they would miss the best bits of the dale.
![Thorpe Cloud Thorpe Cloud](2017-09-06/thorpe cloud.jpg)
Thorpe Cloud comes into view and another decision moment, do I go and visit the summit.
![Dove Dale Dove Dale](2017-09-06/stepping stones.jpg)
Plenty of people crossing the stepping stones today.
![Dove Dale Dove Dale](2017-09-06/stepping stones1.jpg)
A wider view, because John and I couldn't agree on which shot we preferred.
![Dove Dale Dove Dale](2017-09-06/river dove1.jpg)
I pass on summiting Thorpe Cloud and crossing the stepping stones, instead I continue along the bottom of the dale.
![](2017-09-06/ice cream.jpg)
After crossing the footbridge at the end of the dale I'm suprised by a new addition to the landscape. I'm not convinced it really is necessary to have this hut here, surely it would be better in the car park. Being cynical I guess if it was in the car park the National Trust wouldn't make as much money!
![Thorpe Cloud Thorpe Cloud](2017-09-06/thorpe cloud1.jpg)
I never cease to be amazed by the very different views of Thorpe Cloud.
![](2017-09-06/fields.jpg)
Following the path across the fields towards Bunster Hill I can't help but notice the blue sky has been replaced by clouds.
![Bunster Hill Bunster Hill](2017-09-06/bunster.jpg)
The ascent of Bunster Hill can't be avoided.
![Bunster Hill Bunster Hill](2017-09-06/bunster1.jpg)
Looking back down Bunster Hill as I approach the summit.
![Wetton Hill Wetton Hill](2017-09-06/wetton.jpg)
Looking across the fields towards Wetton Hill and it looks like some rain might be heading my way.
![Bunster Hill Bunster Hill](2017-09-06/bunster2.jpg)
Having paused to admire the view it is time to head for the summit.
![Bunster Hill Bunster Hill](2017-09-06/bunster3.jpg)
Having reached the summit Dove Dale comes back into view. The strong winds on the summit meant plans to have lunch up there were abandoned and I followed the wall to find a more sheltered spot on the other side of the hill.
![Sharplow Dale Sharplow Dale](2017-09-06/dovedale3.jpg)
Looking across the fields towards Dove Dale and what I think is Sharplow Dale.
![Ilamtops Low Ilamtops Low](2017-09-06/lunch.jpg)
Having found a sheltered spot I had lunch looking across the fields towards the pointed Ilamtops Low.
![](2017-09-06/trees.jpg)
I suspect that in another few weeks these trees will be a wonderful colour.
![Tissington Spires Tissington Spires](2017-09-06/tissington spires.jpg)
The tops of Tissington Spires are visible as I follow the track towards Air Cottage.
![Thorpe Cloud Thorpe Cloud](2017-09-06/thorpe cloud2.jpg)
The view of Thorpe Cloud enjoyed by the residents of Air Cottage.
![Dovedale Wood Dovedale Wood](2017-09-06/wood.jpg)
Following the narrow track through Dovedale Wood.
![Pickering Tor Pickering Tor](2017-09-06/pickering tor.jpg)
After a rather slippery descent through Dovedale Wood
I emerge at the foot of Ilam Rock and a view of Pickering Tor.
![Dove Holes Dove Holes](2017-09-06/dove holes1.jpg)
As I headed back towards Dove Holes I couldn't help but notice that since this morning some trees appeared to have been marked with red paint. Most of them seemed to be dead so maybe they are about to be cut down, one of them is infront of Dove Holes so I guess this view will be changing soon.
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