{"id":1008793,"date":"2024-06-27T19:03:29","date_gmt":"2024-06-27T18:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1008793"},"modified":"2024-06-27T19:03:33","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T18:03:33","slug":"dove-dale-from-milldale-via-castern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1008793","title":{"rendered":"Dove Dale From Milldale Via Castern"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The sultry heat of early this week had passed this morning, to leave a lovely day 18 degC, bright and largely sunny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I chose to revisit a classic stretch of the Dove Dale, a wonderful and popular tourist spot in the Peak District. However, I, unlike, I estimate, 90% of today’s visitors I walked over the hilltops before joining the riverside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This walk is 7.6 miles long, with 1100 feet of ascent, and took 3 hours 15 minutes, plus a 15 minute lunch break. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The journey is about 1 hour 10 minutes each way by car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is little opportunity to walk with dogs off the lead on this walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I walked in an anti-clockwise direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked at Milldale car par, \u00a34.75 for the day, postcode DE6 2GB. What 3 Words \/\/\/ catapult.community.responds<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Contains
public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Milldale To Castern<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the car park, I headed up the lane to a track on the left just before a pretty cottage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I took the track, and rose steadily out of the valley, and into farming country. Haymaking was the order of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The breeze was pleasant in the sunshine, and I made good progress through the hamlet of Stanshope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fields held lots of birds, attracted by the haymaking activity stirring up the insects. I got quite close to a family group of wheatears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When you’re on top of the peaks, the views are gorgeous. Approaching Castern, there is a glimpse into the Manifold Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At Castern Hall, there is an impressive refurbishment in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Castern To Dove Dale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The route almost turns back on itself here, and heads back up onto the fields, filled with sheep, and some impressive thistles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After several fields I came to one where the farmer had cut a path through the grass – very obliging!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As I began to head downhill after a short road stretch, I stopped for lunch, whilst admiring the view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From here, I had to to traverse the hillside on the left of the above picture. At one point the path disappears due to the steepness of the slope and a bit of scrambling was needed for 10 metres or so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, I descended to Dove Dale, and my first view of the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dove Dale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I stayed on the left bank , and could soon see the hordes of visiting schoolchildren near the stepping stones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I crossed the iconic stones that I remember from my own childhood visits here, and watched as others did likewise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is about 3 miles along the river to Milldale, and no words are needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On one of the rock faces are plaques to celebrate the delivery of this place to the people. Well done them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The only sadness here is the continuing impact of ash dieback disease. However, it’s good to know that something is being done about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And so, I returned to Milldale, where there are toilets and a busy refreshment window to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I loved this walk, and its familiarity doesn’t diminish that enjoyment at all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesday night we went to the Albert Hall to see Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats for the fourth time. He is brilliant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This track is from his new album “South Of Here” and is titled “Heartless”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n