The Wolfscote Dale Walk from Hartington + Biggin Dale and Beresford Dale
The circular Wolfscote Dale walk from Hartington in the Derbyshire Dales is an excellent adventure in the Peak District National Park that will take you through two beautiful valleys that border Wolfscote Hill on either side.
While walking along the path, you’ll be able to enjoy scenic views of the stunning Derbyshire countryside while you stroll through the valley alongside the River Dove.
Wolfscote Dale is a spectacular ravine between Beresford Dale and the renowned Peak District beauty spot of Dovedale, which has similar stunning features of high pinnacles and limestone.
The breathtaking valley, owned by the National Trust, runs northwest to southeast. It is steep, with several weirs spanning the crystal-clear water of the River Dove.
The start point of the Wolfscote Dale walk route we describe begins in the village of Hartington and goes through Biggin Dale, Wolfscote Dale and then ends with Beresford Dale. Therefore, you can walk through three dales on a relatively easy walk to follow. There are some signposts, and the terrain is mostly grassy with some rocky sections.
In this guide, we share walking details, parking information and detailed directions on how to have a fabulous walk in a gorgeous spot in the Peaks that is not as busy as other beauty spots nearby. If you want to avoid the crowds but want to see true beauty, then we believe that this walk is for you.
Wolfscote Dale Walk Details
Time: 2.5-3 hours
Distance: 10km/ 6.2 miles
Elevation: 343m
Route Type: circular walk
Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL24
How to Get to Wolfscote Dale
The start of the Wolfscote Dale walk is in Hartington, which is 9 miles from Buxton and 12 miles from Ashbourne. The village is 1.5-miles from the west of the A515, and you can follow directions to the Tissington Trail.
There is also a National Cycle Route which runs through the village, which you can use from both the north and the south to reach the start of the walk.
For public transport, the nearest train station is Buxton, and then there are regular buses from Buxton, Ashbourne, Chesterfield and Bakewell.
Wolfscote Dale Walk Parking
There is a pay and display Wolfscote Dale car park on Mill Lane in the village called Parson’s Field Car Park. This car park has 45 spots and is a long stay pay and display car park (24hrs peak hours 8am-6pm).
Alternatively, you can park for free on the streets in the village, but remember to park appropriately and to not block any roads. There is also free parking in the centre of the marketplace. There are plenty of options.
Parson’s Field Car Park, Parsons Close, Hartington, Buxton SK17 0BE . You can follow the Google Maps directions here.
The car park is a 24-hour car park run by Derbyshire Dales District Council. The costs for the Wolfscote Dale car park are as follows:
Up to 1 hour £1.70
1 to 2 hours £2.70
2 to 3 hours £4.00
3 to 4 hours £5.20
All-day £6.20
Evening/Overnight – 6pm-8am £1.20
You can pay by coins or by phone. The PayByPhone location number is 806394.
Approximate Wolfscote Dale Walk Postcode: SK17 0BE
Remember rural postcodes are not always accurate, so we recommend following the Google Maps directions above instead of putting this into your navigation as you could easily miss it.
Wolfscote Dale Weather
It is always a good idea to check the weather before going, so you know what to expect and what to bring. We constantly check the BBC and the Met Office sites and compare them to get a rough idea!
Met Office for Hartington Hall
Top Tips
- There are no toilets once the walk begins, but there are free public toilets in Hartington, which you can access easily at the start and the end of the walk.
- You will need hiking/waterproof shoes for this walk because it can be boggy after rainfall, and sometimes the River Dove can flood.
- Wear appropriate clothing, take layers and a waterproof jacket. The weather was extremely windy last time we did this walk.
- It is a dog-friendly walk with no stiles (just squeeze stiles). However, you will need to keep your dogs on a lead during nesting and lambing time and clean up after them.
- Take all your litter home with you, as this can harm wildlife and make the messy countryside and there are plenty of signs in Hartington to remind you to do this.
- Stick to the marked paths to help with erosion.
Wolfscote Dale Walk Directions – 10 Easy Steps
Start Grid Reference: SK 12767 60331
Turn left and walk along Mill Lane through the village from the car park, passing the toilets on your right and the shops and cafes.
Before you reach the red telephone box, turn right and walk up Hall Bank Road. Go past Hartington Hall and do not take the path opposite. Instead, take the next right turn through the field to go through a stone wall.
Keep going straight through the fields and stone walls to go onto Highfield Lane, the stony path that runs next to the fields. Last time, there were signs asking you to go on the main footpath.
Keep straight, following the sign to Biggin until you get to Harding’s Lane Road. It would be best if you turned right. Shortly after, turn right in the direction of Biggin Dale and you will reach a gate where you will see the National Trust sign.
Continue straight through the Dale. Go through the wooden gate, and you will be greeted with beautiful greenery. The dale is gorgeous.
At the wooden post, turn left and go slightly uphill through the wooden gate and then turn left and walk right around the pond in the direction of Wolfscote Dale and continue straight next to the stone wall.
Go through the wooden gate and continue to go through the NNR. The path is very stony, so walk carefully and take your time. You will come to another large gate, go through it and continue straight along the path.
When you reach the River Dove, turn right and follow the sign to Hartington. Walk along the gravel path next to the river, and listen to the sounds of gushing water. Go through the squeeze stile and continue walking along the river admiring the beautiful rock formations.
Go through the small gate and follow the direction of Hartington. So not cross the bridge but instead walk through the meadow. Walk around and then cross the two bridges over the River Dove. After, turn immediately right and walk to Beresford Dale woodland next to the river.
Cross over the wooden bridge to walk along the other side of the river and continue straight. Go through the woods, through the squeeze stile and continue straight through the meadow.
The path curves to the left at the yellow markers, and you will see a large metal and small wooden gate. The yellow markers guide you there, and you will see a signpost directing you to continue straight through the gap in the wall in front of you.
Go through the wooden gate, cross the path and go through another wooden gate to continue straight back into the village. You will come out at the toilet block, and if you turn left, you will return to the car park! Walk completed!
Frequently asked Questions
Is there an option to extend the walk?
Yes, it is possible to walk up Wolfscote Hill, which will extend the walk by roughly 2-miles. You can also continue to Dovedale.
What was your experience on this walk?
This walk route is relatively flat compared to others, and it combines three dales, Wolfscote Dale, Biggin Dale and Beresford Dale, which makes it a relaxing and beautiful walk.
We also found that it was much less crowded than other walks along with the River Dove, such as the Dovedale Stepping Stones and Thorpe Cloud. In addition, we loved Hartington and enjoyed our time relaxing in the village.
What is there to do in Hartington Village?
We found Hartington to be a lovely spot to spend an afternoon.
There are cafes, pubs, antique stores and more. We had a post-walk drink in the Devonshire Arms and met the friendly dog behind the bar.
There are also two popular cafes, Hartington Farm Shop and Cafe and Beresford Cafe, both lovely selling coffees, cake and more.
You can also visit the Hartington Duck Pond, St Giles Church, The Old Church Factory and the War Memorial.
What walks can I do nearby?
There are so many beautiful Peak District walks in the area that you can do. We have complete guides to the following walks. Each one offers something different.
Also, read Easy walks in the Peak District for other short walks that you can enjoy! Let us know in the comments if you decide to do the walk, and we hope you love it as much as we do.
Photo Credits: averagelive.com
We want to stress that ‘Average Lives’ cannot be held liable for any injuries or accidents that may occur while walking our routes. We strongly advise that you wear proper footwear to reduce the risk of injuries, and carry a paper map and compass to ensure your safety while walking. You can read more on our About Page.