Boasting an internationally important ancient ash woodland, wildflower-rich grasslands, abundant wildlife, awesome caves, iconic stepping stones and the crystal-clear River Dove gently flowing through its heart, Dovedale is the perfect place for fun and explorations in the southern Peak District.

The only drawback is that it can get extremely busy here at popular times. As ever, the further you get from the car park (and Stepping Stones) the quieter it gets. But choose your moment to hike here carefully. If you can get here early on a midweek spring morning (out of school holidays) it’s utter perfection.

Tom

April 12, 2019

Nice stroll alongside the river dove, plenty of sights to see on the way.

Jane Sherwin

June 4, 2022

Dovedale is owned by the National Trust and has been since 1934. It became a National Nature Reserve in 2006, in recognition of its importance for wildlife and native flora, and it is also designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The limestone rock that forms Dovedale and the surrounding valleys is made up of the fossilised remains of marine life that lived during the Carboniferous period, 350 million years ago, when this area was underneath a shallow tropical sea. As you walk through the dale, keep your eyes peeled for fossils in the surface of the rocks.

The River Dove is renowned for its trout fishing, and was immortalised in the book The Compleat Angler, written in 1653 by Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton, who lived nearby. For much of its course the River Dove has one bank in Derbyshire and one in Staffordshire, forming the border between the two counties.
letsgopeakdistrict.co.uk/listing/dovedale

If you want to avoid the crowds and parking issues that can be found at the main visitor entrance between Ilam and Thorpe, you can access the walk from Milldale where there is car parking available. Or if you don't mind adding an extra mile or so to your walk the car parking available on the Tissington Trail close to Alsop en le Dale is another option.

Details

Informations

Elevation 160 m

Weather

Today

Thursday 4 December

6°C

3°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Thorpe, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire, East Midlands, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Dovedale

Dove Holes Caves

Dovedale Wood

Ilam Hall

View of Thorpe Cloud and Dovedale from Coldwall Farm

Cheadle Milepost Near Coldwall Bridge

Bunster Hill

Mill Dale Caves

Thor's Cave

Ilam Village and Monument

Tissington Trail

Biggin Dale

Dovedale Stepping Stones and the River Dove

1. Dovedale loop to Milldale from Ilam — Peak District National Park

2. Dove Dale, Mill Dale & Hall Dale loop — Peak District National Park

3. Dovedale loop from Ilam Park — Peak District National Park

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️