Over hill, over dale, we will walk the dales trail! Multi-day hike: 2 days, 1 night

Please note that this trip is for Ramblers members only!

Overview

A two-day/one-night hike from Matlock through the Derbyshire Dales and the Southern Peak District to Eyam. This is the ideal ‘starter’ multi-day hike for frequent day walkers who are comfortable carrying a day’s food, sleeping bag and change of clothes. Overnight accommodation will be in shared rooms in a bunk house that we have booked exclusively for us. Camping options are available. Roughly 25 miles over two days on a mixture of footpaths, farm tracks, fields and country roads.  

We will see parts of Derbyshire that are too far to drive to see in a day from Sheffield whilst appreciating the best that the Derbyshire Dales have to offer. The route description below is approximate and may change slightly depending on the weather, staying low if it rains and up in the sun if it’s sunny. 

Walk Description

Day 1 – Matlock to Lathkill Dale
Meet outside Matlock train station at 10:10am where we will head north into the expansive Darley Dale. From here we will head west past Birchover climbing up to Robin Hoods Stride, giving good views over the valley. We can also look at the Hermits Cave and the Nine Stones Close (a 3000-year-old Neolithic stone circle) before heading down towards a stunning, steep-sided valley with the River Bradford in it.  Following the river will lead us to the lovely village of Youlgreave for a brew and to pick up supplies from the local shop. Full of caffeine and cake we will loop into Lathkill Dale, supposedly the most beautiful limestone Dale.

Our stop for the night is The Reckoning House, a basic bunk house booked just for us on Mandale Campsite (camping available).  

Day 1 stats
13 miles
750m of ascent (hiking up Kinder 1.5 times)
Moderate/hard
Footpaths, tracks and country roads.

Highlights
Nine Stones Close
Robin Hoods Stride
Hermits Cave
Youlgreave
Lathkill Dale
Being on a journey! 

Day 2 (Lathkill Dale to Eyam)
A banger of a day! Having slept just above Lathkill Dale we will head out towards the River Wye and the stunning Monsal Dale. This will give us some stunning views from the valley floor as we approach Headstone Viaduct. We will then pass the Old Cressbrook Mill before heading north through Cressbrook Dale as far as Peter’s Stone. A final push over the hills past rural farms and dry-stone walls brings us to the track down to Eyam for a well-earned coffee and cake (or pint) before getting the bus home.   

Highlights
Monsal Dale
Cressbrook Mill
Headstone Viaduct
Peter’s Stone
A warm bus home! 

Day 2 stats
13 miles
Moderate/hard
500m of ascent (hiking up Kinder once)
An old railway, footpaths, fields, tracks and a few short road sections 

Overnight Accommodation (Saturday 5th March)

Bunk Barn

We have booked The Reckoning House, which is a basic 12-bed bunk house (two separate bedrooms that will be split by gender as far as feasible) on Mandale Campsite. It has a small kitchen, dining room and shower. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, towel and wash kit.  

We will buy food in the shop at Youlgreave to cook a meal that evening and for breakfast in the morning. If you have a dietary requirement that might be difficult to cater for in a small, local shop (such as vegan or gluten free), please message me directly so we can come up with a plan. There are no shops or pubs within walking distance.  

Camping

You can also camp at Mandale Campsite, you will need to carry all your own camping equipment. The price includes access to The Reckoning House as well as the communal dinner. 

Summary

Places: 12 in the bunk house and 8 camping

Cost: £20 for accommodation in the bunk house, £15 to camp

Contact: To book a place on this trip, please contact Alistair W (a.weaver1@hotmail.co.uk / 07809 379164), stating your full name and Ramblers membership number. He will then give you our bank account details for you to make payment.

Got a question? Please join this WhatsApp group or find Alistair at one of the socials. https://chat.whatsapp.com/JSOKTIq71D58NuyFbhVTtn

What’s included:

A bed in a shared room (split by gender) or a pitch for camping
A basic dinner on Saturday night and breakfast Sunday morning (we have to cook this!) 

What’s not included:

Single train ticket to Matlock (£12.80) or bus.
Lunch on both days (please bring Saturday’s lunch, we will pass places on Sunday)
Drinks and snacks
Single bus ticket back to Sheffield (£5) 

What to pack:

Sleeping bag (essential)
Pillow
Wash kit
Towel
Ear plugs
Change of clothes
Lunch (day 1)
Snacks
Wet weather gear
Cash 

If camping:
All camping gear (tent, roll mat, sleeping bag, torch, etc). You may join us for dinner and breakfast in The Reckoning House.  

Transport: 

Catch the 08:36 train from Sheffield (the train is bound for London). Get off in Derby (09:06) and change onto the 09:33 Matlock service, arriving into Matlock at 10:06. Meet outside the station. 

Or 

Catch the 08:40 X17 bus from Sheffield Interchange (Stand D4). Arriving into Matlock at 10:02. Walk (2 mins) to the train station. 

Returning:

Busses are roughly hourly from Eyam to Sheffield city centre, alternating between the 65 and 257. I’d expect to be back before 6pm.