ALSTONFIELD

Turn right out of the car park and walk diagonally right across the adjacent coach parking area to go up a wide path leading slightly uphill walking sw.  Bear right along the road ahead to pass by a grass triangle. Veer right at the next road junction to pass another such triangle, this one on your right.  Then turn left along the lane signed to Wetton 1.1/4 Ilam 3.1/2 Dove dale 4.1/2 before branching immediately left along an obscurely signed footpath.  This is a broad enclosed track which leads s between drystone walling.  When the track bends sharply to the right continue straight on passing through a g-stile to the left of a wooden gate.  The continuation way is down the gentle sloping meadow next to a dry stone wall on your right. Head for the solitary mature tree and then after this bear right along a narrowing grassy thin lane. Go through a g-stile near a gateway before the path leads to Dale bottom.  As you pass through a g-stile to cross over the lane look to you right at the lovely little cottage.

Continue uphill along the obvious pathway, which leads further s. This wide enclosed track leads steeply back uphill. Eventually the steep climb eases off and at the top of the brow you should look around at the superb view of Alstonfield church and Wetton mill.

The passing of the barn shows a straight forward level stretches head. The walled way winds around Grove Farm and then Church Farm as it approaches Stanshope, along here you should ignore a footpath leading off to the right. When you reach the grass triangle turn left and continue bearing left down the wide walled path which tracks east towards Hall Dale, within a further 100 paces you should turn off right over a w-stile on to the footpath signed Dove dale. From here head across the corner of the adjacent field veering left towards the nick of Hall Dale and the signed stone s-stile across the wall head. Over this cross the corner of the next field to use another stile having changed your direction slightly to ssw to head directly towards Hall Dale.

An obvious way now continues more steeply into the dale along a clearly wayside route. Avoid using the next stile and footpath leading off on the right and continue downhill over gently sloping grassy ground. Past the next two w-stiles the character of the Hall Dale changes abruptly as steep rocky slopes containing limestone buttresses and loose scree replace the gentler green meadowlands above. From here thread your way through this dry dale and continue east  towards Dove Dale. Cross over another stile ignoring a side path on the right leading towards  Bunster Hill. Continue along Hall Dale, where lower down the surface becomes rougher under foot and loose stones  so please be careful. After another w-stile a hill comes into view I believe this to be called The Nabs and very quickly you will be standing on flat grassy ground at the meeting of the two dales.

When you reach the River Dove turn right to pass through a w-stile and continue s to reach and cross the footbridge spanning the river to Ilam rock and Pickering  Tor. Sit for awhile here have a snack and something to drink as this is a lovely spot.

Turn left over the bridge to head upstream back along Dove Dale going north up the beautiful wooded dale. You will pass parts of Hall Dale again and will reach the Dove Holes above to your right. Bear around to the left disregarding the path off on the right signed Alsop-en-le-dale. Cross over another stile. After you have climb over a second stile the dale becomes less rugged with rounded interlocking grassy slopes. More stiles and gates follow before the path leads into the attractive hamlet of Mill Dale, you will enter this over Viators Bridge.

Walking past the entrance to the footpath going off to the left, by the side of Old Miller's Cottage, and then bear right at the loop in the road ahead to walk north along Mill Dale. Carry on up this lane that leads to Lode Mill where you turn right at the T-junction cross the river over the bridge and turn left immediately to descend down steps and rejoin the grassy path signed Beresford Dale, Wolfscote Dale, Hartington. The limestone rock behind you is Shining Tor.

Continue through the twin g-stiles and the path meanders north following the river as it flows through the steep sided dale. Keep along the bottom of the valley as more g-stiles come and go do not cross either of the two footbridges across the river marked private. The path continues up the rising dale passing miniature weirs or tiny waterfalls. You carry on to Coldeaton Bridge where you use another g-stile and gate then just beyond an isolated stone building you should turn left over a footbridge spanning the river crossing this for the last time on the walk.

A narrow but well used path winds steeply ( very steep) up the far grassy slope to reach the rim of the Dale High above. Carry on up to the top were there is a National Trust Sign cross over a stile to continue sw along the waysigned walled path. In the summer be careful of the nettles on this part of the walk. A clear obvious path then leads gently up the slope beside a hedge of hawthorn trees. Following a kink to the right the way connects at a T-junction with the road ahead. Turn right and use the road to walk back into Alstonfield. Turn left when you reach the first grass triangle seeing the large Sycamore tree opposite the George Inn where you can take a well earned pint  Go right to pass by tea shop and post office right again when you reach the next grass triangle and the path opposite will lead you back to the car park.