Narrowdale and Wolfscote Dale Circular Walk

A 7 mile Peak District walk starting from Milldale.

Start: SK 13598 54786 – DE6 2GB
Map: Landranger 119, Explorer OL24
Difficulty: 7
Refreshments : Milldale and Alstonefield

Milldale Location Map

Route Map

This Peak District walk starts in Milldale, giving the unorganised walker the chance to stock up with provisions at Polly’s Cottage before continuing the walk up the hill to Alstonefield. The George Pub stands on the village green and not far away you may spot a dragon although strictly this model in a cottage garden is actually a dinosaur!

After following quiet tracks leading from Alstonefield and through Narrowdale we reach the highlight of this walk Wolfscote Dale. The caves in the limestone here could at one time been the home of one of the many wolves that are reputed to have lived in the dale. Legend has it that the last wolf that roamed the dale met his fate nearby. If you listen carefully you may still hear the howling of wolves or is that just the wind as it whistles through and around the rocky tors that overlook the dale.

The dale twists and turns as the walk continues along the River Dove. We pass rocky tors with interesting names like Drabber Tor and Peasland Rocks before reaching Biggin Dale. Iron Tors passes by and then as we reach Milldale and the end of the walk. Above is Shining Tor catching the afternoon sunshine, shining like a beacon indicting the way back along the road to Milldale.

Narrowdale and Wolfscote Dale Photo Gallery

Polly's Cottage a favourite place for tea and cakes!Polly's Cottage a favourite place for tea and cakes!
Polly's Cottage, Milldale
Looking down to Milldale on the Staffordshire side of the River DoveLooking down to Milldale on the Staffordshire side of the River Dove
Looking down to Milldale
St Peter's Church at AlstonefieldSt Peter's Church at Alstonefield
St Peter's Church at Alstonefield
Daffodils on the Village Green at Alstonefield with The George Pub beyond.Daffodils on the Village Green at Alstonefield with The George Pub beyond.
The George, Alstonefield
Gratton Hill from Gratton LaneGratton Hill from Gratton Lane
Gratton Hill from Gratton Lane
A Fingerpost points towards Narrowdale HIllA Fingerpost points towards Narrowdale HIll
Looking towards Narrowdale
Low PlantationLow Plantation
Low Plantation
A fingerpost between Alstonefield and NarrowdaleA fingerpost between Alstonefield and Narrowdale
Walkers heading for Narrowdale
Narrowdale looking towards HartingtonNarrowdale looking towards Hartington
Narrowdale
Low Plantation from NarrowdaleLow Plantation from Narrowdale
Low Plantation from Narrowdale
Pasture bewteen Beresford Dale and Wolfscote DalePasture bewteen Beresford Dale and Wolfscote Dale
Looking towards Wolfscote Dale
Walkers heading for the Caves in Wolfscote DaleWalkers heading for the Caves in Wolfscote Dale
Caves, Wolfscote Dale
Limestone Caves in Wolfscote DaleLimestone Caves in Wolfscote Dale
Caves in Wolfscote Dale
A Rocky Tor in Wolfscote DaleA Rocky Tor in Wolfscote Dale
A Rocky Tor in Wolfscote Dale
Wolfscote Dale near Biggin DaleWolfscote Dale near Biggin Dale
Wolfscote Dale near Biggin Dale
Sheep Grazing beside the River DoveSheep Grazing beside the River Dove
Sheep, River Dove
Weir on the River DoveWeir on the River Dove
Weir on the River Dove
Old Pump House on the River Dove near Iron TorsOld Pump House on the River Dove near Iron Tors
Pump House, River Dove
Shining Tor overlooking the River DoveShining Tor overlooking the River Dove
Shining Tor, River Dove
The RIver Dove and Shining TorThe RIver Dove and Shining Tor
The RIver Dove and Shining Tor
People milling around at The Mill Stream on the River Dove at MilldalePeople milling around at The Mill Stream on the River Dove at Milldale
Mill Stream, Milldale

Narrowdale and Wolfscote Dale Circular Walk Directions

This Peak District walk starts at Milldale. From the car park walk down into the village turning left along Millway Lane. Immediately past Polly’s turn left through a stile and follow the way marked path up the hill across fields and into Alstonefield.

Go past The George and turn right along Lode Lane, shortly turning left down a track known as Gratton Lane and sign posted “Narrowdale”.

Take the third Public Footpath on the left and follow the signs for Narrowdale.  The path eventually curves around to the left and runs parallel with a walled track. At the crossing of paths turn right through a small gate and right again onto the walled path effectively doubling back on yourself. Follow this path down and into Narrowdale with Narrowdale Hill on your left and Gratton Hill on the right.

Keep going in the same direction following signs to Hulme End until reaching Beresford Lane. Turn right down to the Dove and cross the footbridge (at the time of writing damaged by a tree fall). Follow the path across pasture and into Wolfscote Dale, keeping to the River Dove all the way back to Milldale.

Copyright © Peter Cox. All rights reserved