OUT & ABOUT Youlgreave Circular Walk
A Peak District Spectacular With Dearne Valley Ramblers, Photos: John Watson
A 7mile circular route taking in stunning views over the southern Peak District.
Grade: Mainly moderate but strenuous in places. Route entails farmland/fields so dogs must be kept on leads at all times.
Start: Near to the George Hotel in Youlgreave (DE45 1UW), on-street parking available on Church Street or Conksbury Lane.
Cross the road towards All Saints’ Church and head down the lane. Where it forks, follow the RH road until you reach River Bradford. Cross the river using the stone slab bridge, walking up the embankment. Pass through a gap leading onto Mawstone Ln, heading towards footpath sign marked Limestone Way. Head diagonally up a gravel track across cattle fields. Follow the footpath through a gate to stepping stones across Bleakley Dyke, then Kissing Gate Steps, up the steep hill to a stile. Continue on, heading for a tree and three upright stones. Pass through the gate, going uphill towards Harthill Moor Farm. Climb the stile and follow the drive which bends left then bears right towards Cliff Ln. Cross the road to an access point immediately in front of you indicating the route to Robin Hood’s Stride/Limestone Way. Four stones in the adjacent field are remnants of the original nine- stone Bronze Age circle. Take a break at Robin Hood’s Stride - an imposing turret-esque rock formation known locally as Mock Beggars’ Hall. Walk back down the banking towards a fence on your left, climbing the stile and turning right down the lane to Crancliffe Tor, with large boulders including Hermit’s Cave carved with a crucifix. Pass through the gate and down a grassy slope past Hilary’s Seat, heading downhill along the Limestone Way to reach a tarmac path. Pass through the gate with the main road on your left. Walk straight on along Limestone Way, known locally as Dudwood Lane, the path rising gradually towards Elton village. With housing on your right and a farm building on your left, look for the yellow footpath sign on a tree
which indicates a path leading into a field. Climb the stile and follow the rising footpath towards Elton. On passing the sports centre, the path leads upwards to the end of the field and to a gap between housing. Cross the lane and enter Elton Parish Church graveyard. Walk in front of the church, down steps to a sloping road. Turn right and walk past cottages and gardens until reaching a fork in the road. The tarmac road bends to the right, but you should take the left-hand fork which rises gradually past a sign for Youlgreave and emerges out onto a field with magnificent views of the route ahead. Follow the well-used path down the hillside, passing through four fields before reaching Cliff Ln. Cross the road to a fence stile, following the path through a gap in the wall until you reach another stile. You will see the fenced and gated luxury retreat property; walk past, keeping it on your left, and follow the path downhill until you reach a further stile. Cross fields leading to Tomlinson Wood, looking for a sign to Hopping Farm and Middleton. Turn left, climb over the wall and cross a field leading to a Way Mark. Head diagonally over the stone stile to a double gate, continuing diagonally through Bleakley Plantation to a gap in the wall. Pass through a green gate to see a panoramic view of your destination point - Youlgreave.
Head to the top of the field, reaching a gap with a wooden bar across. Walk down the hill to Hopping Farm and caravan site, crossing Mawstone Ln. Pass through the gate into the caravan site, walking between caravans round the side of the farmhouse. Continue to Middleton Dale. Pass through a gate, heading diagonally
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right where you will see a wooden gate. Follow woodland path and cross a bridge left of Middleton Dale. Walk down steps crossing a bridge. Follow the path by the River Bradford, looking for Kingfishers and Dippers along the way. This is beautiful Bradford Dale, where the footpath reaches a grassed area. Turn left then immediately right to a pond-like feature, known locally as The Swimming Pool. Follow the path to a fence, exit onto the same road from Youlgreave from the outward journey. It is a bit of a climb back up to the village, taking you back to the church and to the start of your walk near to The George Hotel.
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