Starting at Alsop Station means that we get most of the road walking out of the way at the start of the walk.

We are soon walking next to the River Dove and our early start means we meet no-one on this section of the walk.

Approaching Viator's Bridge and some of Milldale's residents can be seen ahead of us.

Heading into Dove Dale and we are still to meet anyone, which is why I always start from this end of the dale.

Looking back to Viator's Bridge before we continue into Dove Dale.

Even though it is relatively early it is nice and warm in the dale.

As we reach the first gate in the dale we start to see a few more people, although you only have to wait a few minutes for them to disappear out of your shot.

Ravens Tor is soon in view.

Dove Holes is the next feature as we head along the dale.

At Ilam Rock we cross the bridge to take a route that will enable
us to avoid the crowds coming in the opposite direction.

Once across the bridge we turn right towards Hall Dale.

We don't go as far as Hall Dale, instead we take the path
into and up through Dovedale Wood.

Heading uphill at this time of year we can look across the dale to the hills on the other side.

The path along here can be quite narrow in places but at least it was nice and dry today.

As we leave the wood Thorpe Cloud can be seen ahead of us, with Tissington Spires to our left.

We can also make out the trig on the top of Tissington Hill.

The Nabs can also be seen from here.

As we head towards Air Cottage the rocks above Lovers Leap come into view.

As we reach Bunster Hill we can look across the fields to the Manifold Valley and the moors beyond it.

Looking along the valley towards the remains of Throwley Hall and across to Mere Hill.

Ahead of us Musden Wood comes into view.

As we start to head across Buster Hill Ilam Hall also comes into view.

The intention was to head straight down Bunster Hill but it had been a while since I was here, instead of heading down the hill here we went across the fields towards the true summit of Bunster Hill.

Looking back to the footpath we had taken from Air Cottage to reach Bunster Hill.

Zooming in on Ilam Hall as we head across to the summit of Bunster Hill.

Heading across the fields towards the summit of Bunster Hill.

Having reached the summit I realised this wasn't where we wanted to be and so after chatting to the group sat up there we cut across the side of the hill to reach the col on the side of Bunster Hill we were originally at.

Having reached the col we had an option to continue down the ridge or drop off to the left at the col.

Rather than continue along the ridge we took the path down to the wall and some flatter terrain.

Heading across the fields towards the main car park for Dove Dale we couldn't help but notice how many people were on the top of Thorpe Cloud.

Having raced past the car park we took the bridge across the river and opted to walk alongside the river below Thorpe Cloud.

Walking along this side of the river is usually fine and at this point it was but a bit later it got a little bit deeper and I ended up with two rather wet socks and boots.

We opted for this side of the river to avoid the queues of people waiting to cross the stepping stones.

Thankfully once we turned up Lin Dale we soon left the crowds behind us.

At the top of the dale we found a spot in the sun to enjoy a quiet lunch. It was at this point that I discovered for some reason I didn't have any spare socks in my rucksack, so it was a case of wringing out my wet socks and hoping them and my boots would dry a little whilst we ate.

As we sat having lunch I thought I spotted someone on the summit of Hamston Hill and zooming in on the shot confirmed I had. I've never seen anyone up there before, even though it is on Access Land.

Lunch over we headed for the Tissington Trail, joining it at Thorpe's old Station House.

The first section along the Tissington Trail is a bit of a trudge as there aren't many views, but at least if you time it right the cafe will be open at Tissington.

Between Tissington and the car we managed to find a bench with a view and sat for a while enjoying the view across to Minninglow.

Looking south we could make out Carsington Pasture and Harboro Rocks.

Continuing along Tissington Trail we could at least now enjoy the views across the valley for most of this section.

As Aleck Low comes into view we finally reach the car park and find out the route I had told John was 10 miles was actually 12 miles, a fact he is unlikely to let me forget.

 

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