🗺️ The route
Free to viewThis 8 mile circular walk starting in Alstonfield takes you across quiet country lanes and down onto Wolfscote Dale, which is one of our favourite dales in the whole of the Peak District. It then continues onto Hartington, where you can stop for refreshments with many food and drink options in the village.
What to expect
After leaving the village you’ll wander along a few quiet country lanes before crossing fields and descending down onto Wolfscote Dale. This path then follows the river all the way into Hartington, don’t forget to look out for caves on the hillside here and crayfish in the river Dove.
There is a steep section of steps just before reaching Wolfscote Dale, so take your time getting down, the way back on the return is a much steadier incline.
Getting there & parking
DE6 2FY – there are a few car parks in the village and all are quite small but you have choice. They’re all very close to each other.
Good to know
Yes, at the start of the walk.
On lead only.
Expect country lanes and riverside paths underfoot. What we wear for it ↓
The route
- 8.3 Miles
- 4 Hours
- Moderate
This is a route in a figure of 8, you’ll cross paths with your earlier self about 6 miles in at the start of Wolfscote Dale, but apart from that, it’s all new, it’s an easy one to follow once you’re in the valley, just follow the river upstream.
Step-by-step
- Head right out of the car park and then left along the road.
- Pass the houses and take the first left turn down a country lane.
- Follow this past the new stone farmhouse and through the farm yard.
- It'll take you across the fields and through a wooden gate and down a steep hill to a bridge across the river.
- On crossing this bridge, turn left and follow the riverside path for a few miles until reaching the village of Hartington.
- Explore, go for dinner and enjoy your time here.
- When you're ready to head back, follow the road opposite the village stores and you'll see a footpath on the corner.
- This will bring you onto a country lane.
- Follow this as far as you can, you'll have to turn right to stay on the footpath just before the last farmhouse.
- This will take you back onto Wolfscote Dale.
- Cross the bridge here and follow the path.
- On reaching another gate, go straight across and up through the fields.
- You'll turn right at the top and follow it a short while until you see a footpath sign on your left.
- Take this, it'll bring you out on the road.
- Join the pavement and follow it until you arrive back at the car park.
Your walk
Heading out? Take this walk with you
Free members get the tools to follow it on the day, so you're not relying on phone signal.
- GPX downloadFor your phone, watch or Komoot.
- Printable route cardOne page with the route, pit stops and an emergency line.
- Track it & get the stampTick it off and add the miles to your log.
Tips & what to bring
Nothing special needed on this one, good footwear, layers and water. We’d always suggest bringing snacks but if not, you should be able to get food in Hartington if you time it right.
What we'd pack for this walk
See how we wear it →Kit we actually use, picked for this route.
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Our everyday pick We both wearLa Sportiva TX4
Grippy, supportive approach shoe we wear on rockier Peak trails.
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Always in the pack Ads wearsRevolutionRace Waterproof Jacket
Bright, fully waterproof shell for proper British weather. Ads' go-to in the orange.
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Room for a full day's food Char usesOsprey Skarab 30L
A comfortable day pack with a hydration sleeve for full days out.
