Dove Dale, Biggin Dale, and Wolfscote Dale From Milldale – Classic Peak District

Introduction

This is a wonderful summer walk. On a lovely British summer’s day, is there anything better?

It is a figure of 8 walk, so can easily be done in 2 separate loops at different times.

There was, a forecast of sunshine, and the odd heavy shower. There was much sunshine…. and no showers!

The drive to Milldale from Cheadle Hulme is a couple of minutes over an hour.

At 8.5 miles with 1110feet (340m) of ascent the walk is fairly strenuous and took 3.5 hours to complete, plus 15 minutes for lunch.

There is lots of sheep pasture and farmland, and the dales hold lots of sheep, so it isn’t an ideal walk for dogs who need to run off the lead.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24.

I parked in the free Milldale car park, use postcode DE6 2GB.

Milldale to Biggin Dale

In the hamlet of Milldale, I walked past the refreshment kiosk (of which, more later) and located the almost hidden path just after the telephone box.

The first quarter of a mile is the hardest section of the walk. It’s through the gate, and straight up the hill, soon revealing views into the valley below.

After crossing a few fields, I arrived in the sleepy village of Alstonefield with its handsome St Peter’s Church.

OK, it was sleepy, but the wildlife was unchanged from Jurassic times!

The sweeping vistas over grassy fields are as memorable as the dales which snake through them.

A family party of wheatears interrupted me along the way, and this female perched for a portrait.

Suddenly, I realised that I was bout to meet the valley of the River Dove. Join me via this video, if you wish, and can spare 3 minutes, though the sound effects come across a little spooky!

It’s hard to show just how steep the path down to the riverside is, but here’s a couple of pictures to give some idea.

In no time at all, I was crossing the bridge!

The brief upstream section I was now on will be covered again later, but I soon turn right and head up the secluded Biggin Dale. There’s no water here, and it’s so quiet and full of birds. I stopped for a few minutes to watch a spotted flycatcher, doing what spotted flycatcher’s do! They like to perch, but I couldn’t quite get it in focus.

It’s a really lovely spot to just take your time, and take it in!

Biggin Dale To Wolfscote Dale

Turning left, I headed up out of the valley, and enjoyed more magnificent views across the Peaks.

As I made my way down the track towards Wolfscote Dale, I admired this lovely family group…. from the other side of a high wall!

On reaching the valley, I came upon a school party on a geography field trip. All the students were of South Asian heritage; all the teachers were white and male; it would be nice to think that some of those students will become experts in British geography in their time.

This is just a captivating valley.

The river steps down, courtesy of successive weirs. I saw a dipper enjoying the fast flowing waters just below a weir , and found a great spot for lunch too.

Wolfscote Dale and The River Dove

Really, no words are needed for the rest of the walk. The pictures say it all! Here’s a few of the river.

Here’s where I pass the bridge I crossed earlier, showing the steep path I had come down, and thankfully don’t have to go back up!

Whilst the river continually grabbed my attention, it was nice to occasionally look up at the trees and hillsides.

The blue sky and white clouds added to the spectacle too.

And there was some lovely flora to enjoy as well!

The last section is along the minor road that runs alongside the river, before that refreshment kiosk beckons.

Salted caramel in a waffle cone.

Great walk, great ice cream! Both highly recommended.

And Finally….

I came across this Aussie band this week. They play tunes with melodies and lyrics that seem to come straight from Tom Ogden’s Blossoms songbook. Have a listen and see what I mean.

This is “Clean My Car”