DOVEDALE IS A PICTURESQUE VALLEY DEEP WITHIN THE PEAK DISTRICT, AND EVERY YEAR SCHNAUZERS OF ALL SIZES, ALL COLOURS AND ALL DECIBELS DESCEND FOR A WEEKEND OF WALKS AND MERRIMENT AT THE ANNUAL SCHNAUZER WALK.

📍Distance: 6 miles in total

📍Difficulty: Moderate

📍Elevation: 267ft

📍Map: OL24: The Peak District White Peak Area

📍Info: A clear identifiable path with a steep climb and uneven limestone and plenty of gates. Toilets can be found at either end of the walk (there may be a charge)

Dovedale is one of the most popular hotspots in the Peak District National Park, and is often exceptionally busy on a sunny day.  If walking dogs watch out for the picnics which tend to congregate near the stepping stones.

Along with being a great family day out, no matter how far along the route you walk there are some amazing geological features to look out for. 

THE ROUTE

It's a simple there and back route, which is easy to follow and starts with the decision to do the stepping stones or not (Update Dec 2023 - the Steeping stones were badly damaged by flood waters and are currently closed).  If you don't fancy the stepping stones, take the bridge on the right shortly after the car park and follow the river along until you reach the stepping stones.  It's a little more uneven, and floods in places after heavy rain but absolutely do-able.  You will then be on the correct side to continue the walk.

Follow the well maintained path through the valley with the river Dove on your left until you reach the pretty hamlet of Milldale.  here is a great place to stop, enjoy a paddle in the river and enjoy refreshments from the tiny take away cafe on the corner (cash required) before returning the way you came.

KEY FEATURES

Along with the famous stepping stones which have been travelled across since the Victorian times, there are many other fascinating geological features to look out for.

Thorpe Cloud

Whilst heading past the stepping stones and through the pinch posts, take a look back and you will see the very impressive Thorpe Cloud towering above.  The brave amongst you can climb to the top and experience the wonders of the valley below.

Lovers Leap

Continuing on the path, you will climb a steep incline of steps, originally built by Italian prisoners of war from the Second World War finally reaching Lovers Leap, a limestone promontory.

The rock is so-called because a young woman who believed her lover to have been killed in the Napoleonic Wars threw herself from the crag into the ravine below.  Her skirt caught in a tree on the slopes as she fell, and luckily she survived,  to discover that her lover was actually still alive. 

On a sunny day it's the perfect place to catch your breath and have a snack on the grass, there is plenty of space plus a little shade on a sunny day. 

The Twelve Apostles

On the opposite side of the valley from Lovers Leap you may just be able to make out the rock pinnacles known as the Twelve Apostles.  The rock spires protruding from the valley side are limestone left from the last ice age.  

Ilam Rock

Dovedale is renowned for its beautiful rock formations, created by melting glaciers eroding.  Some of the exposed limestone has formed magnificent structures, towering above the valley floor. 

One such column is Ilam Rock, which rises 25 metres high and stands as a solitary pinnacle watching over the river, close to Ilam Rock Bridge. 

Dove Holes Caves

There are many caves to explore in the area.  Dove Holes is the most obvious that you pass next to the path with human habitation dating back to 13,000BC, when the Paleolithic hunters used them for shelter. 

Can you spot Moo Moo & Bear?  this just gives you an insight into the scale of the caves.

Viator's Bridge

Reaching the end of the walk, the halfway point, and heading into the pretty hamlet of Milldale for a well deserved rest and if you are lucky an ice cream on a sunny day, you will cross Viator's Bridge, a packhorse bridge, now a listed ancient monument has been in use since the Medieval times to transport silks and flax fabrics from nearby mills in Wetton and Alstonefield.

DOVEDALE AND THE ANNUAL SCHNAUZER WALK

Each year, on a weekend in May, (usually the third weekend) the valley of Dovedale is very much alive with the sound of Schnauzers, as what seems like the entire schnauzer population descends for walks and sniffs, and zooms and maybe a wet toe or more on the stepping stones.

Since 2012 the Annual Schnauzer Walk has been heading to a central point for Schnauzer shenanigans, and this year is no different.  We have been for 5 consecutive years for simply a wonderful weekend filled with the best breed and their humans all with one goal...to have fun!

We always skip the stepping stones, and opt to cross over the bridge and do the scramble on the other side.  It means we can enjoy all of the transport variations for Schnauzers, and maybe the odd mishap or two.

      

Whatever way your Schnauzer chooses to cross, they are sure to enjoy the entire walk.

IN MEMORY OF ...

For those we have lost over the years that we have had the privilege of meeting in Dovedale, maybe for the first time.  Too many to mention but whether two legs or four, Dovedale will always bring special memories of those we have lost.

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT DOVEDALE

• There is a cost for parking.  Only Cash is accepted in the machine due to its rural location, however if the National Trust Information Point is open, they do have a card machine available.
• There are toilets in the car park at a cost of 20p
• There are bins provided both at the Car park and a Milldale, but no bins along the route.
• Dogs are expected to be on lead, and sheep/livestock can be found in many of the fields around.
• This walk has some undulating hills and uneven paths, which for those with limited mobility may find more challenging.

 © Crown copyright 2024 OS AC0000861980