Lathkill Dale Walk

8.1 miles (13 km)

Lathkill Dale is one of my favourite Peak District walks, with its combination of clear riverside walking, limestone cliffs, woodland, waterfalls and open countryside making it a really varied day out.
We did the walk in summer when the dale was looking particularly beautiful, with lush green vegetation, wildflowers along the river and the clear water sparkling in the sunshine. It was a lovely day for a family walk, and the scenery gave us plenty of reasons to stop and take it all in.We started in Monyash, where there's a public car park and a couple of good options for refreshments before or after the walk. From the village the route heads through Bagshaw Dale before eventually reaching the River Lathkill. This was one of my favourite parts of the walk, as the surroundings gradually become more wooded and the sound of the river gets louder as you approach it. In summer there was plenty of colour from the wildflowers along the banks, and I stopped several times to take photographs.

Lathkill_Dale_near_junction_with_Cales_Dale

Once beside the river, the character of the walk really changes. The water is remarkably clear and you can often see fish moving through the shallows, while the limestone cliffs and trees create a lovely backdrop. We spotted ducks and other birds along the river and there were plenty of smaller signs of wildlife to keep an eye out for. The waterfalls and little weirs are another highlight, particularly when the weather is warm and you're happy to take your time rather than simply covering the distance.

Lathkill_Dale,_view_of_upper_dale_near_Lathkill_Head_cave

The path eventually brings you to Over Haddon, where the Lathkil Hotel makes a tempting stopping point. I can see why it gets so much praise for its position, with the elevated setting giving you some excellent views across the surrounding countryside. We carried on with the walk before returning along the valley, but this would be a very good place to break up the route with some food or a drink.
We followed the river back for part of the way before crossing over and joining the Limestone Way for the return to Monyash. I liked the change of scenery here, as the route leaves the riverside behind and opens out into more traditional Peak District countryside. Most of the walk is fairly easy going and there aren't any major climbs, which makes it a good choice for a family day out, although there are naturally some uneven sections where the path follows the river.

Afterwards we headed back into Monyash and settled down at the Bull's Head for some food and a drink. On a summer day the beer garden is a particularly nice place to finish, and after spending several hours walking beside the river it was good to sit down and relax. It felt like a fitting end to what had been a lovely family walk.
Other local walking ideas
There are plenty of ways to extend the outing if you want to explore more of this part of the Peak District. You can continue along the river towards Alport, while the Youlgreave Circular Walk provides another way of exploring Lathkill Dale. The nearby Bradford Dale offers more attractive waterside walking, while Arbor Low is a fascinating Neolithic site just to the south. For something a little different, the historic Magpie Mine is also only a short drive away.