Starting off at the main car park, make your way along the side of the stream and cross over the stepping stones to the right hand bank of Dove Dale.Make your way along the path that hugs the line of the stream. This is pleasant strolling fare and bimbles along nicely for a couple of kilometres before reaching a diverging path at The Nabs. Climb steadily through the wooded pathway up The Nabs until eventually topping out at Hanson Grange.
Follow the path towards Bostern Grange Farm and then through fields passing by an odd little structure that half looks like an unfinished fortified keep!
Eventually the path reaches the side of a little country road that leads to Thorpe. Follow this road for a few hundred feet and then cut back across into fields by Pike House. Not sure how often it is used but there are signs for a firing range here so best to skirt around to the south eventually making your way back round up towards Lin Vale.
As you progress down the vale, Thorpe Cloude rises to your left and its worth a short but steep detour to climb up this distinctive hill. Pause on top of the Cloud to survey the area. Its only 287 metres high but it does give a nice viewpoint.
Retrace your steps back down the hill and pick up the path that takes you round Thorpe's Cloud and back towards the car park to finish.
A magic summer's evening stroll best enjoyed when the crowds have all gone home
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