Peak District walk: Tideswell, River Wye and Litton

Beginning the route along Tideswell Dale you’ll continue through another five splendid dales – Miller’s Dale, Water-cum-Jolly Dale, Cressbrook Dale and Tansley Dale.

Each has its character from squidgy mud, twisted tree roots and stone walls carpeted in thick vibrant green moss.

As the seasons change so do these dales and it makes for a wonderful walk at any time of year, but springtime is especially wonderful with wildflowers adding splashes of colour.

There’s also the new bridge to explore at the top of Water-cum-Jolly Dale. This was created with an incredible 26,000 plastic bottles and now links Cressbrook Mill to the Monsal Trail path, high above the River Wye.

Check out our ‘Extra Mile’ walk for an alternative route that includes crossing this bridge and tunnels of the Monsal Trail.

Peter’s Stone – a beautiful spot with a dark past Photo: Gary Wallis In addition, you can add a short detour at the end of Step 4 to visit Peter’s Stone, which has a particularly dark history – it’s where the last gibbet in the county stood, which was used to display the bodies of criminals after they were executed.

As you will see, Peter’s Stone is a prominent place and it’s likely it was picked so they could be viewed by all.

However, history has rolled on and nature has taken over this beautiful dale with splendid views for miles.

And your final section of the walk takes you through the beautiful village of Litton complete with a post office, local shop and a great pub.

Walk instructions

1 From Tideswell Dale car park begin your walk by heading out of the car park past the toilet block on your left onto the path leading into Tideswell Dale. You’ll see the iconic limestone rocks on your left, which are prominent throughout the majority of the walk.

On your right, a narrow stream trickles, follow this through the dale. At the small wooden carving of the water vole pick either path as they rejoin a few metres down the path.

Continue until you leave Tideswell Dale and turn left to join the road. Walk past the houses on your left then at the stone pillars follow the concession path, past the old mill and over the stone bridge to Miller’s Dale.

2 Follow the path through Miller’s Dale, keeping the River Wye on your right. The terrain is mixed here with some muddy sections.

Walk alongside the river as it then opens up into Water-cum-Jolly Dale. You’ll go past a sign on your left which is a detour route when the water levels are high, most of the year especially from spring onwards you’ll be fine to continue.

Then it’s across a small wooden bridge (take care as the handrails are damaged) and turn left to reach a path behind some black railings. This is a beautiful place to stop and gaze at the beauty of Water-cum-Jolly Dale.

You can also admire the new bridge which was made using 26,000 plastic bottles (check out our Extra Mile walk for a route via this bridge).

3 At the end of the black railings turn left then left again at the main road for a short distance until the road splits.

Take the right-hand fork and continue until you reach a faded sign for ‘Ravensdale – No through road’. Bear right here heading downhill, walk past the cottages to the start of Cressbrook Dale, signposted with a yellow way marker.

Cressbrook Dale Photo: Andy Hanna 4 Walk through the windy path of Cressbrook Dale, alongside moss-covered stone walls, tree roots and rocky paths. You’ll cross a small wooden bridge into Cressbrook Dale Nature Reserve.

After a short distance, the path splits, keeping to the lower left-hand path through the dale. Eventually, you’ll reach a gate into the Nature Reserve area and Cressbrook Dale opens up.

Walk through the dale on the lower path, next to the drystone wall. Then turn left over the plank wooden bridge and through the small wooden gate on the path heading uphill to Tansley Dale. Add a short detour to visit Peter’s Stone from this point if you wish.

5 Walk up the rocky path to the top of the dale then head right following the drystone wall to a gate at the top. Turn left through here and walk diagonally across to the corner of the wall (you’ll see a signpost for Litton).

Continue walking through the next field towards the stone wall and over a stone stile. Turn left on the track then turn right over another stone stile into the field. Walk diagonally across towards the farm buildings where you’ll go over your third and final stile for this walk.

Heading into the pretty village of Litton Photo: Getty 6 Turn left and walk on the pavement through Litton Village, past the small post office and shop, then opposite The Red Lion pub you’ll turn left on the road heading out of the village. There’s a small amount of road walking but you can rejoin the pavement on the left.

At the road junction turn left then go through the small gate on your left to walk on the path alongside the road. Keep walking until you reach Tideswell Dale Car Park.

READ MORE: 3 great walks near the Peak District village of Tideswell

Compass points

Distance: 5.6 miles/ 9.1 km

Grid reference: SK 1540 7415

Map: OL24

Difficulty: At the start of the walk the paths are well established with trails and short paved sections. Onward you’ll come across some muddy sections but nothing technical. The final part of the route via Cressbrook Trail requires sure-footedness as the path has loose stones and tree roots to navigate.

The route has about 200 metres of ascent however most of this is heading into then out of Cressbrook Dale, particularly the steep uphill path through Tansley Dale.

Refreshments: The best place to stop for refreshments is towards the end of your walk in the village of Litton. There’s a country pub The Red Lion but also a lovely village shop with tea, coffee and best of all homemade cakes.