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Stoney Middleton > Coombs
Dale > Eyam > Stoney Middleton
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Distance: 5.25miles
(8.5Km)
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Height Gain: 960 ft
(1100m)
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Overview: A short walk of contrasts,
taking in the villages of Eyam and Stoney Middleton and
passing through a typical White Peak lanscape of crags and
caves.
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Maps: Ordnance Survey: OL 24 / LR
119
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 2
Technicality: 1
Photogenic Grade: 2
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Start Point: SK
220 764
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A short walk through contrasting scenery, this route takes in the
villages of Eyam and Stoney Middleton, passing through a typical
White Peak lanscape of crags and caves. The ancient plague village of
Eyam contrasts with the modern industrial workings of the Longstone
Edge Quarry and those along Stoney Middleton Dale.
Section 1 - Stoney Middleton to Black Harry Gate
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Distance: 2.5 miles
(4km)
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Height Gain: 611ft
(186m)
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Park by the side of the road opposite the old Lovers Leap Cafe in
Stoney Middleton and walk along the road into the village,
passing the Royal Oak on your right. Continue past The Moon then turn
right onto a narrow lane marked with both "Private Road" and "Public
Footpath Coombs Dale" signposts.
Follow this lane as it slowly ascends into the start of Coombs
Dale, ignoring paths that head off both right and left. Stay in
the bottom of the dale, where a seasonal stream runs. After a mile
the dale curves in a wide arc to the left and arrives at Sallet
Hole Mine.
This impressive mine entrance was once one of the biggest
fluorspar and lead mines in the area, and the remains of old spoil
heaps lie all around the entrance. The entrance itself provides a
welcome relief on hot days, with a constant cool wind issuing from
the depths, and the lead rich soil provides a habitat for rare, metal
tolerant, plants like leadwort.
Beyond Sallet Hole the path continues through Rough Side and
slowly narrows to the path junction at Black Harry Gate.
Section 2 - Black Harry Gate to Eyam
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Distance: 1.7miles
(2.8km)
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Height Gain: 320ft
(97m)
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Turn right, uphill, at the path junction along
Black Harry
Lane. The path is narrow and enclosed between drystone walls, but
above the walls you get an impressive view north west over the
limestone plateau of the White Peak, with it's patchwork of small
drystone-walled fields.
A little over half a mile up Black Harry Lane you come to a road,
where you cross straight over. To the left lies Cavendish Mill and
its enormous settling pools, and ahead lies the descent through
Dalton Quarry. Keep on the path, and take note of the warning
signs about "firing" as this is an active quarry area. The path
brings you down through the quarry to meet the main Middleton Dale
road opposite the turn off to Eyam.
Take the road uphill towards Eyam. At this point a short
detour up the slope opposite a small electricity substation brings
you to Eyam Dale Shaft - a former lead mine entrance to a large cave
system running below much of this area. The road leads directly up
the hill to the village square of Eyam. This is an ideal spot for
both a break and a detour.
The village has several pubs and cafes, along with ancient remains
of the time when Eyam lost 2/3 of its population in a self-imposed
exile to prevent the spread of the plague. The church, Plague Houses,
stocks and many other features still remain from this time and
provide an interesting diversion before the return leg to Stoney
Middleton.
Section 3 - Eyam to Stoney Middleton
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Distance: 1 mile
(1.6Km)
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Height Gain: 29ft (9m)
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The return starts from the village square, taking a road
marked with a signpost to"Lydgate Graves". As the road suddenly bears
right continue ahead then take the left fork at a junction. The path
starts to drop towards
Stoney Middleton, and after 1/4 mile
the retaining walls disappear, bringing you out into open fields
above The Cliff.
Use the wall on your left as a handrail for the descent back down
into the village, passing a rare octagonal church on your left before
emerging at the old octagonal toll house - now the only "listed
building" chip shop in the Peak District. Turn right and walk back
along the road to your start point.
On the opposite side of the road from your start point, woods
obscure the view of the Stoney Middleton cliffs, though a short walk
will lead you up to the foot of these impressive crags where some of
the country's leading rock climbers perform on a regular basis.
