Looking down the road to Ecton Hill from the start of the footpath to Beresford Dale.

Narrowdale and Gratton Hills from the footpath to Beresford Dale. If Hartington had been busy when we arrived there these would have been on our route.

The path skirts the bottom of Pennilow as it makes its way towards Beresford Dale.

Entering Morson Wood I spot this sign explaining the origins of the wood.

It may be the hottest day of the year so far but the trees are still somewhat bare.

The short stretch of woodland leads to Beresford Dale.

The River Dove was to be our companion for the next hour or so as we made our way towards Biggin Dale.

Looking along Beresford Dale after crossing the first bridge.

Looking back towards the rock known as the Pike.

Heading for the second bridge across the River Dove, which will take us into the field that joins Beresford Dale to Wolfscote Dale.

We usually walk along the path next to the fence, but the field was so wet we cut up to this track. It would take us onto a track we had used when we walked to Wolfscote Hill.

Instead of heading uphill to Wolfscote Hill we turned right and headed back down towards Wolfscote Dale. A short diversion that enabled us to keep our boots dry for a bit longer.

Looking into Wolfscote Dale from the bridge we didn't need to cross today.

Once we were in Wolfscote Dale the sun was constantly in our eyes so all photos had to be taken looking backwards.

Looking back to the caves.

Wolfscote Dale was very quiet.

Only a handful of couples passed us and all of them were walking in the opposite direction to us.

The River Dove as we walked through Wolfscote Dale.

The sun meant there was no opportunity to take a good shot of Peaseland Rocks today. I really must make the effort to visit here one evening.

Having negotiated a very wet entrance to Biggin Dale we were looking forward to continuing along this dry dale in the sunshine.

We were to be disappointed as the dale was no longer very dry.

The stream continued most of the way up the dale, although once the first part had been negotiated the path did stay out of the water.

We met more people in Biggin Dale than we did in Wolfscote Dale and several people did comment on how suprised they were to find so much water in the dale.

The water did eventually end, shortly after we had passed through this gate.

Signs that the stream is finally about to disappear.

The water has finally disappeared, although the duck we came across shortly after taking this picture seemed to be looking for it.

We had lunch at the head of Biggin Dale watching people heading down the dale towards the water. As we were packing up to move on a friend came up the dale and stopped for a chat, although we didn't recognise him with his new lockdown haircut.

We head uphill, along Highfield Lane, where we know once we are at the top we will be rewarded with some good views.

Looking across Biggin Grange we can see a distant Johnson's Knoll.

Heading downhill we can look across to Axe Edge.

As we make our way back towards Hartington Sheen Hill dominates the view. The only disappointment is that on a glorious day, like today, we couldn't finish the walk with a pint outside a pub.

 

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