In stark contrast to the wild remote Dark Peak the White Peak is a landscape of gently rolling limestone plateau and strips of colourful hay meadows studded with native wildflowers. Home to crystal-clear rivers and streams and species-rich limestone heath, the White Peak’s claim to fame is some of the finest ancient Ash woodlands in all of Europe.
Read on for our local guide to the rolling White Peak, including walks with panoramic views and our YHA hostels along the way.
Alstonefield, Milldale and Dovedale
How could we mention the White Peak without mentioning one of its most popular beauty spots? Dovedale is visited by over 1 million people each year, and you can see why. This stunning limestone dale has a crystalline river flowing along its length and features the famous Dovedale stepping stones, as well as a variety of Limestone caves to explore along the way. Dovedale is easily reachable via footpaths through the picturesque villages of Milldale and Alstonefield. You will need the OS Explorer Map OL24: Peak District National Park White Peak by Ordnance Survey.
Close by, in the beautiful Manifold valley, is the impressive Thor’s Cave. This Karst cave was once part of a tropical reef, then it was inhabited by ancient people in the Stone Age, Iron Age, and was explored in more recent times by historians and archaeologists. The nearby museum plays host to a treasure trove of artifacts found inside this hilltop cave.
YHA Ilam Hall is the perfect place to put your feet up after a long day exploring around Dovedale and the Manifold valley.
Monsal Head, Monsal Viaduct and Monsal Dale
Ever thought about hiking the Monsal Trail? This traffic-free route runs along the former Midland Railway line for almost 9 miles between Chee Dale and Bakewell. There’s plenty to see along the Monsal Trail including black rabbits, fascinating geology, and industrial and rail heritage. The Monsal Viaduct, once subject to much criticism and controversy, is now one of the most photographed places in Britain (maybe one for the #YHANatureChallenge).
Victorian poet John Ruskin once said of the Monsal Viaduct “There was a rocky valley between Buxton and Bakewell, once upon a time, divine as the Vale of Tempe… you enterprised a Railroad through the valley – you blasted its rocks away, heaped thousands of tons of shale into its lovely stream. The valley is gone, and the Gods with it; and now, every fool in Buxton can be in Bakewell in half an hour, and every fool in Bakewell at Buxton; which you think a lucrative process of exchange – you Fools everywhere.” Today, the harshness of the construction has mellowed, due in part to aging, and vegetation creeping along it’s length.
YHA Ravenstor is the ideal place to bed down after discovering Monsal’s industrial past.
Wolfscote Dale from Hartington Hall
Another fantastic dale to explore in the White Peak is Wolfscote. If you were wanting a quieter walk along the river Dove, Wolfscote is the answer. Unlike the busier and much more popular Dovedale, you can enjoy Wolfscote all to yourself most of the time. The landscape is just as dramatic, and the river Dove is just as crystalline.
Wolfscote dale is easy enough to get to, starting from YHA Hartington Hall, you’ll briefly join the Tissington Trail before heading down into Dovedale. After crossing the river Dove and ascending to Alstonefield, you’ll head towards Hartington via Beresford Dale, with the final stretch of the walk taking you through the impressive Wolfscote Dale. With it’s rugged remoteness, Wolfscote is popular with the more solitary rambler, away from the hustle and bustle of more popular places like Buxton and Bakewell.
YHA Hartington Hall is the ideal starting point for a wander through Wolfscote Dale.
Adobe Stock photo credit: rickbowden, Judith, Greg, manuta, david hughes.
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