Beresford & Wolfscote Dales (8.7 Miles)
(Pathfinder Guide - White peak - Walk #22)
We arrived at Hartington just before 10:30 on a warm Friday September morning, with the sun shining. Parking was free by the side of the road just coming into the village.
We set off and walked through this small village passing a few shops and noting the market square to the right. Turning left we stopped at the toilets opposite the main pay and display car park. It was busy (even on a Friday).
The route started just to the left of the toilets and though a narrow snicket out onto open countryside.
Soon we were at Beresford Dale, and alongside the River Dove and followed this for about half a mile or so, before turning right away from the river (and the crowds!) along a lane,then left onto more open countryside again.
It was here that we encountered a herd of cows (with horns!! - were they bulls?)
They seemed a bit "frisky" as several got up from laying down as we approached. We did the decent thing and turned around to follow an alternative (nearly) cow free route. (we have some history with cows from several years ago having been literally chased out of a field by a herd).
The alternative route took us above the herd and we had better views, so it was good for all concerned including the cows!
The grassy track eventually met a narrow lane, which led us down into the viallage of Alstonefield, and having passed through this small village we crossed several fields before a rather steep but short descent down Gipsy Bank and down into Wolfscote Dale and the river Dove.
The well constructed (and busy at times) path by the river was followed for about 2 miles before turning off right, away from the river up a long-ish incline with better and more open views
These tracks we followed for another mile or so, before joining a lane that took us back down into Hartington.
In Hartinton we enjoyed a Bradwells ice cream sat at the market square on a warm summers afternoon, before heading back to the car, finishing around 14:40. (4hrs, 10 mins total)
A fairly easy walk of nearly 9 miles, over easy terrain with some open views, but some quite long stretches in valleys, near the river. Pleasant, but not really any wow factor for us.
Recommended as an easy, though medium length walk.
Our Walk Score : 6/10
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