Hike – Peak District – Dove Dale, Thorpe Cloud, Milldale & Ilam

Hike – Peak District – Dove Dale, Thorpe Cloud, Milldale & Ilam

Price

Members: £5

Non Members: £20

For information on how to become a member please go to Membership – Women Outdoors (womenoutdoorsuk.com)

Fast Route Facts

Length: 8.5 miles 

Elevation: 1953ft

Start/ Finish Point: IIam Hall Car Park

Time: 6 hours

Route Type: Footpaths

Technical Difficulty: Moderate

Parking Costs: £6 (cash only)

Directions

Easter Egg Hunts · Apple Maps

Route Description

Dovedale, Milldale, IIam, and Thorpe Cloud are all featured in this 8.5-mile hike and we will start at Ilam which is a charming village nestled among limestone hills in Staffordshire’s Peak District, next to the River Manifold and set against the backdrop of Bunster Hill, Thorpe Cloud, and the steep and rolling grasslands, it contains Alpine-style homes, a church, and a river. 

From here we will make our way to Dovedale and due to its rivers and limestone gorge, Dovedale in the Peak District is a popular location. Stepping stones, caves, and Thorpe Cloud are some of the nearby attractions. 

We will cross the famous Dovedale stepping stones to cross the picturesque River Dove, which snakes through a magnificent canyon with stunning limestone peaks. It resembles something straight out of Tolkien’s Middle Earth to the remote limestone hill, known as Thorpe Cloud which rises quickly and steeply to a height of 287 metres at its highest point, but once there, there are numerous hike-worthy panoramas across the Staffordshire and Derbyshire countryside. Remember to pack a sturdy pair of walking shoes for the hike up Thorpe Cloud because the descent can occasionally be a little tricky.

We will then walk alongside the River Dove past the many limestone caves and make our way to the picturesque and tranquil hamlet of Milldale, which is located in a rural setting. Imagine charming old houses tucked away among the countryside’s rolling hills, ducks free to frolic, and a picturesque river gurgling by the village and you won’t be disappointed.

From here we will make our way back along the River Dove to IIam taking in all the beautiful scenery along the way. This walk was featured on ITV’s list of the Top 100 Walks in Britain so it is not to be missed!

What do I need to bring with me?

Walking boots: waterproof and breathable hiking boots with good ankle support

Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and prevent blisters 

Water: Bring at least 1 litre of water

Medication: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor aliments etc

Day Rucksack: something comfortable to wear, 20 litres+

Waterproof bags: keep spare clothing, electronics and anything else dry even when your rucksack leaks by using ziploc type food bags or outdoor activity waterproof bags.

Comfortable clothing: bring layers to let you adapt quickly to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (t-shirt) and a mid layer (micro fleece) and outer layer (jacket)

Trousers: no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry. On a warm day shorts are ok.

Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry.

Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example. Put them in an easy reach area. 

Packed lunch: bring a pack lunch unless otherwise stated

Hat or cap: stay warm in the winter and shaded in the summer

Gloves: weather dependant 

Camping Gear:

Sunscreen: can be useful even on cloudy days

Dogs

Well behaved dogs are more than welcome, there may be livestock around so they may need to stay on the leads for parts of it.

Terms & Conditions

By booking or participating in a trip or event with us you are agreeing to the Women Outdoors Terms and Conditions Terms & Conditions – Women Outdoors (womenoutdoorsuk.com)