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▶Wolfscote Dale
Limestone dale walk along the River Dove with dramatic cliffs, caves and quiet riverside paths.
Loop
About
Walk the River Dove's limestone cliffs and caves in a quieter alternative to the busier Dovedale valley.
Wolfscote Dale is a peaceful limestone valley in the White Peak area of the Peak District, located near the village of Hartington. The dale runs along the River Dove, which marks the boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. High rocky cliffs tower above the river as you walk through this less-visited alternative to nearby Dovedale, with opportunities to explore small caves in the limestone and spot wildlife including buzzards, herons and Daubenton’s bats.
Multiple circular walks start from Hartington village and pass through Wolfscote Dale in combination with neighbouring Beresford Dale and Biggin Dale, all part of the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve. The paths are generally well-maintained and flat along the river, though sections through Biggin Dale are rocky and can be slippery when wet. Spring and summer bring wildflowers and full vegetation to the steep valley sides.
Why go
- Quieter alternative to the busier Dovedale with equally dramatic limestone cliffs and river scenery.
- Walk through a National Nature Reserve with diverse wildlife: buzzards overhead, herons by the water, rare Daubenton's bats.
- Limestone formations and small caves to explore, plus wildflowers carpeting the steep valley sides in spring and summer.
- Mostly flat riverside walking that's accessible to most fitness levels, looping back through charming Hartington village.
Before you go
- Circular walk from Hartington village through all three dales; Biggin Dale section has narrow rocky terrain and can flood in winter
- Can be muddy and flooded in winter months after heavy rain. Limestone rocks underfoot in Biggin Dale can be slippery when wet.
- Not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs.
The route
Full route
Map
Open mapReviews
Read all 5Definitely worth a wander up. I started from Hartington, and soon got here via Beresford Dale (also an incredibly pretty place). Wolfscote is strikingly pretty as you emerge from under the trees, and it feels like a unique place. A cave to the left, peaks sloping down to the path ahead, with the River Dove accompanying you all the way (and some sheep occasionally). It almost feels a little alien compared to everything you’ve wandered before, but still beautiful. Especially with blue skies and fluffy white clouds above. You’ll see wagtails, corvids, and other birds along the way too It isn’t the longest walk, so you won’t spend a day here, but you’ll spend a couple of hours if you’re stopping to take photos and explore a little. The trail is entirely flat and well walked and signposted. You’ll meet dog walkers and hikers of all ages along the way. The southern end seemed a little wilder, before you get to the end at “The Pinch”. MIlldale is about a 10-15 minute walk along the road (Take the road that keeps the river close on your left), and you’ll find a small shop and a toilet there (beware the wasps…..)
Such a beautiful location and trail. Less busy. You can climb up the small cave but be careful it is very slippery. Thanks to David Booth for his helpful review on parking, we managed to find parking spots on Beresford Lane. This is just a minute away from the Bridge.
Tips
0Is there an entry fee for Wolfscote Dale?+
No, Wolfscote Dale is free to visit with no entry charge.
Where do I start a walk through Wolfscote Dale?+
Most walkers start from Hartington village, which is the nearest settlement. Circular routes from there pass through Wolfscote Dale in combination with Beresford Dale and Biggin Dale.
Can I bring my dog to Wolfscote Dale?+
Yes, Wolfscote Dale is dog friendly, making it a great choice for a walk with your pet.
Featured in
1 guide
Showing the start and the waymarked paths nearby. The route line is added with a GPX file.
Circular walk from Hartington village through all three dales; Biggin Dale section has narrow rocky terrain and can flood in winter
Alternative starting point in Staffordshire; includes Narrowdale on return; crosses county boundary via River Dove
Trail details
- Route typeLoop
- Terrainlimestone, riverside, woodland, grassland
- Best seasonSpring, Summer
- Dog friendlyYes
- Buggy or wheelchairNot suitable
Can be muddy and flooded in winter months after heavy rain. Limestone rocks underfoot in Biggin Dale can be slippery when wet.
Getting there
- ParkingFree street parking in Hartington village centre; pay and display car park on Mill Lane
- Parking costFree (street) or paid (Mill Lane)
- PostcodeSK17 0AN
Features
More information
Getting there
- ParkingFree street parking in Hartington village centre; pay and display car park on Mill Lane
- Parking costFree (street) or paid (Mill Lane)
- PostcodeSK17 0AN
Reviews
5 on GoogleDefinitely worth a wander up. I started from Hartington, and soon got here via Beresford Dale (also an incredibly pretty place). Wolfscote is strikingly pretty as you emerge from under the trees, and it feels like a unique place. A cave to the left, peaks sloping down to the path ahead, with the River Dove accompanying you all the way (and some sheep occasionally). It almost feels a little alien compared to everything you’ve wandered before, but still beautiful. Especially with blue skies and fluffy white clouds above. You’ll see wagtails, corvids, and other birds along the way too It isn’t the longest walk, so you won’t spend a day here, but you’ll spend a couple of hours if you’re stopping to take photos and explore a little. The trail is entirely flat and well walked and signposted. You’ll meet dog walkers and hikers of all ages along the way. The southern end seemed a little wilder, before you get to the end at “The Pinch”. MIlldale is about a 10-15 minute walk along the road (Take the road that keeps the river close on your left), and you’ll find a small shop and a toilet there (beware the wasps…..)
Such a beautiful location and trail. Less busy. You can climb up the small cave but be careful it is very slippery. Thanks to David Booth for his helpful review on parking, we managed to find parking spots on Beresford Lane. This is just a minute away from the Bridge.
This is a stunning area to walk and much more peaceful and less well known than nearby Dovedale. The paths can be accessed from Hartington or near Beresford Dale. We tend to set off from Beresford Lane, but there are very few layby parking spots near to the wooden bridge. Park sensibly or better still, start at Hartington. We walk over the bridge and bear right over the grassy meadow until we reach the riverside path, past a small cave up the slope on your left. We then continue on as far as Biggin Dale with it's mine entrance (a trial lead mine adit) alongside the track. If you've parked at Hartington, you can continue on upwards and back to where you started as a circular walk. We head back along the same path taking in the views from the opposite direction. The scenery all along the River Dove is nothing short of gorgeous, with it's deep sloping valley sides and high rocky crags. The rubble path is solid with no hills to climb unless you've a mind to clamber up one of the alternative pathways. It's possible to walk all the way along the main path via Milldale to Dovedale, around 5 miles away. Look out for Buzzards overhead as they nest high up amongst the rocks here. The River Dove has trout to spot too. Well worth exploring if you're in the area and you fancy an alternative to relatively busy Dovedale.
Beautiful Dale away from crowds very similar to Dovedale but much quieter. You can really enjoy as it is so quiet around. If you want you walk down to Milldale and if you still go energy left carry on up to Dovedale. But this will be a long walk. Highly recommended
Marvelous place for a walk. As scenic as the more popular Dovedale (stepping stones) but slightly less affected by flooding after a lot of rain. We parked at the end of Beresford Lane but this was out of season and there are not many side of road places. We followed the river south to Wolfscote Dale while the path north would take you to Beresford Dale and then on to Hartington.
Tips
0Questions
7Is there an entry fee for Wolfscote Dale?+
No, Wolfscote Dale is free to visit with no entry charge.
Where do I start a walk through Wolfscote Dale?+
Most walkers start from Hartington village, which is the nearest settlement. Circular routes from there pass through Wolfscote Dale in combination with Beresford Dale and Biggin Dale.
Can I bring my dog to Wolfscote Dale?+
Yes, Wolfscote Dale is dog friendly, making it a great choice for a walk with your pet.
How difficult is the walk through Wolfscote Dale?+
The riverside paths along the River Dove are generally flat and well-maintained, but sections through Biggin Dale are rocky and can be slippery when wet.
Are there caves to explore in Wolfscote Dale?+
Yes, there are small caves in the limestone cliffs along the dale that you can explore as you walk through.
What wildlife might I see at Wolfscote Dale?+
You may spot buzzards, herons and Daubenton's bats. Spring and summer also bring wildflowers to the steep valley sides.
How does Wolfscote Dale compare to Dovedale?+
Wolfscote Dale is a quieter, less-visited alternative to the popular Dovedale, offering a similar limestone valley setting along the River Dove with dramatic cliffs and riverside paths.