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Miller's Dale > Cheedale >
Topley Pike > Chlemorton > Calton Hill > Miller's
Dale
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Distance: 8miles (5Km)
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Height Gain: 1356 ft (413 m)
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Overview: Classic White Peak walking
route through limestone scenery with added historical
interest and an extinct volcano...
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Maps: Ordnance Survey OL 24 /
Landranger 119
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 2
Tecnicality: 2
Photogenicness: 3
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Start Point: SK
137 732 - Miller's
Dale
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A walk that combines classic features typical of the White Peak.
Starting with a waymarked trail down a secluded steep sided valley
before ascending to the limestone plateau and a 2000 year old field
system. The return is a journey past neoloithic burial chambers and
an extinct volcano to the start point on an abandoned railway
converted into a leisure trail.
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Bad Bridge over the River
Wye joke here...
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Section 1 - Millers Dale to Topley Pike
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Length: 2.97 miles (
4.78Km)
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Height Gain: 587ft (
179m)
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Start from the Car Park at the old
Millers Dale station
just off the Wormhill road. The first half mile is a straightforward
stroll along the track of the disused railway line, passing a series
of ancient, partially restored, limekilns on the right.
The track brings you out at a large viaduct, high above the
River Wye, where you will often find outdoor groups using the
structure for abseiling practice. Continue over the viaduct and take
the gate on the right. A diagonal path leads across the field
descending to the obvious bridge over the river. Once across the
bridge turn left into the Nature Reserve and continue along the bank
of the river.
The path continues meandering alongside the river till the bridge
at Wyedale Springs. Here an easy ascent brings you high above the
river before a tricky descent on a polished series of limestone steps
(TAKE CARE!). The path rejoins the bank of the Wye, passing through
the steep sided gorge of Cheedale (below) - a popular rock
climbing venue. Pass below the undercut cliffs on the north side of
the river, and over a series of stepping stones to a bridge.
Cross the bridge and continue along the other bank of the river to
a further bridge which brings you back to the north side. A second
set of stepping stones helps pass an otherwise difficult corner and
the path now continues through a wider section of the valley and an
easy approach to Wyedale Cottages. Cross the river again and continue
along the wide road/track to emerge at a large car park at Topley
Pike on the A6 three miles outside Buxton.
Section 2 - Topley Pike to Chelmorton
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Length: 1.78 miles (2.86
Km)
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Height Gain: 500ft
(152m)
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Cross the busy A6 into what appears to be a quarry at Topley
Pike. The public footpath is well marked here, sticking to the base
of a steep slope on your left as it enters Deepdale. After a
third of a mile the path splits into three near the obvious cave
entrance of Churn Hole.
Take the left hand path, which rises steadily onto Chelmorton
Flat, following a long limestone wall on your left. The path now
crosses a series of ancient field enclosures heading South to where
you cross the A 5270. Go straight over the road, down a well defined
path between limestone walls and continue on past Shepley Farm to
emerge in the village of Chelmorton.
A left turn here along a short section of minor road will bring
you to The Church - a pub - on your left.
Section 3 - Chelmorton to Millers Dale
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Length: 3.21 miles (5.17
Km)
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Height Gain: 500ft
(152m)
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Continue past the pub to the top of the lane, where you turn right
along a wide, well marked, path that skirts the foot of Chelmorton
Low. As you approach a minor road the path splits into two, and
the left hand branch provides the way on.
Cross Pillwell Lane and continue on past Fivewells Farms (these
should be on your right). The footpath now curves round to the left,
crossing the green lane used by the Limestone Way, as it passes below
Five Wells Tumulus, a neolithic burial chamber. Up to the left the
fence on the skyline marks the boundary to Calton Hill, now a Nature
Reserve with strictly limited access.
Formerly used as both a quarry and a landfill, Calton Hill
is actually the remains of an ancient volcano - with the main vent
still visible. The path now continues north, crossing the busy A6
again, before dropping into the tiny hamlet of Blackwell. On reaching
the minor road turn left and after a few yards go straight across at
the crossroads, before taking the footpath on the right leading to
Blackwell Hall.
The path now descends steadily to Wyedale -above -where you
rejoin familiar territory in the field at the end of the viaduct.
Instead of turning immediately right to retrace your steps from the
first section continue down the field to the bridge again. Cross the
bridge for a second time, but this time turn right to follow the bank
of the River Wye back to the base of the viaduct. Now climb the steep
bank on the left hand side of the viaduct to regain the dismantled
railway, and a straightforward walk back along the track to your
start point.
John Kilgour
