Dove Holes Caves – Dovedale's stepping stones loop from Alstonefield

Hiking trails & Routes

Staffordshire Moorlands

Alstonefield

Dove Holes Caves – Dovedale's stepping stones loop from Alstonefield

Moderate

4.7

(158)

1,656

hikers

Dove Holes Caves – Dovedale's stepping stones loop from Alstonefield

02:47

10.3km

140m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 20, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Peak District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

328 m

Polly's Cottage Café

Highlight • Cafe

Great place to stop, grab a brew or some food/ice cream and sit by the river. Wonderful owner.

Tip by

378 m

Viator's Bridge

Highlight • Monument

The picturesque narrow stone bridge in Milldale has been in use since the Medieval period, when it was crossed by a packhorse route used for transporting fabrics from the mills …

Tip by

1.58 km

Mill Dale Caves

Highlight • River

very busy on the first few miles , but great solo after 7 miles

Tip by

1.70 km

Dove Holes are a series of three impressive caves beside the River Dove. They were formed around 350 million years ago by glacial meltwater. It’s great fun climbing up into the caves but take care as the rocks are slippery.

Tip by

2.27 km

Ilam Rock

Highlight • Natural

Dovedale is renowned for its beautiful rock formations, created by water, ice and wind erosion over the millennia. Some of the exposed limestone has formed magnificent structures, towering above the …

Tip by

2.76 km

Boardwalk Along the River, Peak District National Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

Much narrower here. Still passable with a pram.

Tip by

3.53 km

Dovedale Stepping Stones

Highlight (Segment) • River

Gets very busy at weekends..best to go during the week

Tip by

5.83 km

Dovedale's stepping stones

Highlight • River

The Stepping Stones make for a quirky crossing of the River Dove. In the middle of the stones, be sure to look around and admire the stunning scenery. The stones …

Tip by

10.3 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types