Search Results for: cromford dog walk

Weekend Dog Walk from Cromford Mill

April 23, 2021 By
Cromford Canal dog walk

This weekend dog walk from Cromford Mill is one of our favourites.

It was back in June 2015 when Tilly, Mackie and I decided to do an experimental dog walk along Cromford Canal. The reason it was experimental was because dog walks became more tricky with two dogs! Particularly when one was only a puppy, albeit a big one at 12 months old. 

The walk I’m about to describe is approximately 3 miles long and took me about one hour. It has a steep uphill section, but is a real mixture of canal paths, woodland and road walking. Hopefully a little bit of everything for everyone.  There are also refreshment stops along the way too.

Details of the walk

1. Park at Cromford Wharf car park DE4 3RQ.  It is a pay and display car park. (Currently £1.60 for two hours).

2. At the canal, turn left and walk down towards High Peak Junction. Many people walk their dogs along here, and many of them will be off lead. There are poop bins to be found at High Peak junction and I’m pretty sure I passed one at the start of the canal walk at Cromford Wharf.  It’s approximately 1 mile to the High Peak Junction. There are refreshments served here if you wish.

3. Upon arriving at High Peak Junction, you need to turn right and cross the bridge (signposted Middleton Top). You should head behind the buildings, past a train carriage (on your left) and follow a path which is called the Sheep Pastures incline.  You will walk through a short tunnel onto the trail. This is the long steep part of the walk. Dogs are fine to be off lead once you are on this path.  The footpath that you are on, follows what was the Cromford and High Peak Railway. You will pass a “catch pit” which was designed to capture run away trains of which there were a few!

High Peak Junction
High Peak Junction

Roughly halfway…..

4. Continue walking up this hill and walk past the small brick building which will be on your right. It has a wooden sign next to it called The Dingle. Soon after, you will see a footpath sign on your right. This is where the High Peak Trail (which is what you are on) intersects with the Midshires Trail. You should bear left and walk up over the steep bank which is signposted to Intake Lane. You will notice that you are on what I can only describe as a bridge section. Once you turn left you will almost double back on yourself and effectively go underneath the High Peak Trail.

Follow the signpost to Cromford (turn left). You will walk underneath a small bridge (which goes under the High Peak Trail that you’ve just been on). Follow the track, again dogs are still OK off lead, but be aware that this track turns into a road very shortly.

5. Shortly after you walk under the bridge, you’ll come to a fork in the path. Take the right fork and continue following the track downhill. This path is marked by a yellow arrow which is part of the Derwent Valley walk.

Intake Lane signpost

6. The track peters out and becomes Intake Lane. Follow this lane downhill (ignoring all turnings) and eventually you will meet the A6, which is a very busy main road. Turn left along the A6 and walk up to the traffic light junction, be very careful of the traffic and keep your dogs on a short lead.   (Note: To avoid walking along the A6 pavement, there is a gap in the wall opposite Intake Lane, when you meet the A6. You will see a small green footpath sign. This path will cut the corner where the road junction is, but it might be quite tricky to cross the road at this point, so please take care if doing so).

7. At the junction, turn right into Mill Road and walk back towards the Cromford Wharf car park.

Refreshments

You will find several refreshment places on the Dog walk.

There is often an ice cream van in the car park at Cromford wharf, but there are also some coffee stops too. One of which is the Counting house coffee stop.

Counting house coffee stop at Cromford Wharf.

In addition you’ll find refreshments at the High Peak Junction which is 1 mile down the canal from the start of the walk.

High Peak junction coffee stop on the Cromford dog walk.

Finally, you could walk across to Arkwright’s Mill opposite the Cromford Wharf car park, and you will find a cafe, toilets and some small shops to have a browse around.

Map of the area

If you want to explore the surrounding area a little more, then the OS map OL24 is the correct Ordnance Survey map to use.

Please note there are some affiliate links on this page. You will not be charged when you click on them, but I may earn a small commission from them. This helps maintain this website.

For nearby pubs click here

You might also be interested in this post for dog friendly cafes.

We hope you enjoy your dog walk from Cromford Mill. You might also be interested in the Black Rock walks

Filed Under: Featured Walks, Weekend Walks, Where to Walk

Top 10 best Peak District dog walks

June 8, 2023 By

Here’s what we consider to be our top 10 best Peak District dog walks. They vary in distance and terrain, but all can be enjoyed with your dog.

Please note: There may be affiliate links on this website. This means that we earn a small commission when you click and subsequently order something. There is no additional cost to you, it simply helps us run this website.

1. The Bakewell Loop

The Bakewell Loop has to be the most popular Bakewell dog walk on our website. It starts from Bakewell town centre and follows part of the Monsal Trail before descending back into Bakewell through fields and footpaths.

This is a lovely Bakewell dog walk. It is a pleasant circular dog walk around Bakewell, which follows part of the Monsal Trail and includes a public bridleway and some roads. You’ll get some spectacular views of Bakewell as you make the return journey across the fields. Apart from the initial walk up the hill towards Bakewell Station, the rest of the walk is relatively flat and easy going.

There are plenty of dog friendly pubs and cafes that you can visit once you return to Bakewell, but there is also the Hassop Station on the Monsal Trail where you can get refreshments. There is a covered area outside where you can sit with your dog.

2. Dog walk around Fernilee reservoir

This is a lovely circular route around the Fernilee reservoir which can be found in the Goyt valley near Buxton.

If you type SK17 6SX into google maps, you’ll be able to see whereabouts it is situated within the Goyt Valley.

Basically you can walk around the entire reservoir. One side of the reservoir is a flat wide path which is suitable for pushchairs. On the other side of the reservoir you will walk along a woodland section, mainly tracks and narrow paths. The wooded section is not really suitable for pushchairs – It would be much easier to do a linear walk along the opposite side of the reservoir.

More details about the walk can be found here.

Some recommended dog walk books

3. Solomons Temple, Buxton

Postcode: SK17 9DH

This is a lovely woodland walk from the Pooles Cavern car park up through the woods to Solomons Temple. You can climb the temple and get spectacular views of Buxton. Although please be careful with dogs around the temple, we had a friend whose dog decided to jump and suffered nasty injuries as a result.

There is a cafe at Pooles cavern which is dog friendly. There is seating outside for dogs, but they are also allowed inside.

The nearby pub The Duke is also a great place to get a bar snack or quick drink after your dog walk around Solomon’s Temple.

4. Padley Gorge, Grindleford

Postcode: S32 2JA

Directions: Take the B6521 towards Calver. From A623 turn onto B6001 at Calver and then B6521 in Grindleford towards the station. Park at the station.

There is a great circular walk from Grindleford Station- walk along the river cross the wooden footbridge to the open country above the woodland and cross down to the other side of the gorge – taking in the contrast between open moorland and shady woodland. There are refreshments at the cafe close to the station. You’ll find a large seating area outside. Perfect for muddy paws and boots.

5. Monyash Meander

Post code: DE45 1JJ – there is a small car park or you can find a space on Chapel Street.

This is a circular walk from the village of Monyash. The Bulls Head in Monyash is a very dog friendly pub and the Old Smithy Tea rooms next door is a dog friendly cafe. This gives you a choice of refreshment stops once you’ve finished the walk.

Part of the walk follows the Limestone Way which is a pleasant walled track that you follow heading towards Lathkill Dale. For details of the walk, click here.

6. The Wild Rhubarb Walk, Millers Dale/Chee Dale

Postcode: SK17 8SN

This is a more adventurous walk which begins at Millers Dale car park and then follows part of the Monsal Trail including walking through some of the tunnels on the trail. It then drops down to the waterside and you follow a rather rocky path through Chee Dale towards the end of the trail. Sturdy boots are required for this trail and it is quite tricky in places underfoot. A bit of rock scrambling is required, so the kids might enjoy it.

It’s spectacularly beautiful too! You’ll feel at one with nature.

Details of the dog walk can be found here.

7. A dog walk from Cromford Mill

Postcode: DE4 3RQ

Another circular walk where you will enjoy some canal side walking before heading up a steep incline towards Black Rocks. It starts and finishes at Cromford Wharf car park and you will find plenty of refreshments stops in and around the Mill.

For more details of the Cromford Mill dog walk, click here.

8. A dog walk around Ladybower Reservoir

Post code: S33 0AQ

Time: Approx 2 hours if walking at moderate pace and stopping for photographs along the way!

If you fancy a weekend walk, then try the Ladybower Reservoir circular dog walk. It is a lovely scenic walk in the Derwent Valley, and part of the walk includes the Derwent Dam, which was the scene of practice flights for the Dambusters raids during World War 2.

It is easiest to start the walk from the Fairholmes Visitor centre, where there are toilets and refreshments. There is a car park which can be used for a small charge. Alternatively you can try and find free spaces on the approach road, but these often fill up very quickly.

If you start from the Visitor Centre, simply head to the top right corner of the car park and find the well marked path that eventually will run alongside the waters edge. You’ll be heading towards Ashopton viaduct, which you will probably have driven across to get here. You’ll walk across the viaduct and then shortly after, look for the footpath sign that leads you back down the other side of the water. At this stage it is quite a wide tarmac road that you will walk along. You will be able to walk as far as the Derwent Dam, and you’ll see signs for the East Tower where you can get spectacular views of the dam.

Once you’ve viewed the dam, you can follow a well marked path back to the Fairholmes Visitor centre which marks the end of the walk.

9. A dog walk from Chatsworth House

Postcode: DE45 1PP

A visit to the Peak District can’t be complete without visiting the beautiful Chatsworth House home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. There is some spectacular parkland to walk around with your dog and they are very dog friendly. You will find bowls of water available near the toilets and also the Stable yard area.

The Carriage House cafe, which is located in the 18th century stable block, is dog friendly, and has a designated dog friendly area where you can sit with your dog (when government restrictions allow).

There is also plenty of outdoor seating available in the stables courtyard. A limited section of this is undercover, and there are also patio heaters for when it gets a little chillier.

Whilst dogs are not allowed in Chatsworth House itself, they are allowed in the gardens and also the gift shop.

For more details about the Chatsworth dog walk, check this post.

10. A dog walk from Eyam

Postcode: S32 5QW

This is an interesting village to visit – as it is also known as the “plague village”.

During the Plague, the village of Eyam suffered dreadfully, as did many of the Peak District villages. However, the locals attempted to stop the disease being spread further, by putting themselves in quarantine. Apparently the plague virus had been brought into the village by a local tailor on some infected cloth which he had bought whilst in London. The tailor himself died quickly, and 250 other villagers also died, including the rectors wife (the rector himself had instigated the quarantine).  

There is a pleasant walk that you can do which features a little bit of woodland walk before descending back into the village to enjoy one of several dog friendly cafes or perhaps one of the pubs.

For details of the Eyam walk, click here.

We hope that you have enjoyed our Top 10 best Peak District dog walks and hope that you will find a new favourite walk to do with your dog.

Filed Under: Featured Walks, Weekend Walks, Where to Walk Tagged With: ,

12 things to do with your dog in the Peak District

June 8, 2023 By

If you are visiting the Peak District and bringing your dog, you may be interested in 12 things to do with your dog in the Peak District.

This post contains affiliate links, which if you click on, I may earn a small amount of commission. There is no cost to you, it just helps me with the running costs of this website.

1. Dog Walk in Grinlow Woods

Take a walk in Grinlow Woods, Buxton. Here your dog can run around the woodlands and burn off some energy. You can also walk up to Solomons Temple, which offers a fantastic view across Buxton. Check our weekend dog walk to Solomons temple for a walk that will really clear your head! It’ll also give you some great views across Buxton (on a clear day). However, please don’t let your dog go up the stairs in Solomons temple, one of my friends had a nasty experience when her dog plummeted from the top.

Later you can visit the Pooles Cavern coffee shop, which is a dog friendly cafe, and have a nice warm drink – with your dog by your side. Please note that the cavern itself is not dog friendly, but you are more than welcome to walk through into the coffee shop and enjoy refreshments for you and your dog!

If you enjoy woodland walks with your dog, then you will enjoy reading our Woodland Dog Walks post.

2. Explore the Monsal Trail with your dog

Explore the Monsal Trail, and discover one of the many dog friendly pubs nearby. The Monsal Trail is also a well used cycling trail, so you need to ensure that you keep your dog under close control, as cyclists can really gather some speed and won’t necessarily be able to react quickly enough if your dog suddenly runs out in front of them.

3. Visit Bakewell Market

Visit Bakewell on a Monday, and walk around the market. You can follow this with a drink at a dog friendly cafe or one of the dog friendly pubs in Bakewell.

4. Visit Monyash with your dog

Make a trip to Monyash and take a walk down Lathkill Dale, or try our Monyash Meander walk. You can finish your day with a visit to the Old Smithy tearooms, who welcome dogs. This tearoom can be found on our dog friendly cafes near Bakewell page.

5. Visit Monsal Head

Visit Monsal Head and walk down into Monsal Dale. Your dog will enjoy running free in Monsal Dale. You can enjoy a drink or a meal in The Stables Bar, back up at Monsal Head, when you’ve both tired from all the fresh air and exercise

6. Visit Crich Tramway Museum

Go and see the Crich Tramway Museum. Dogs are welcome to enjoy a ride on a tram. Please check their website for opening times, there are sometimes restrictions on services during the winter months.

We spent a lovely day at Crich Tramway museum and you can read more about our doggy day out at the Tram museum.

7. Enjoy a walk around Ashford in the Water

Enjoy a walk from the picturesque Ashford in the Water. You can stand on the medieval stone bridge and watch the ducks swimming below. You could also visit Aisseford Tea Rooms, which is a dog friendly café in the village. The Bulls Head in Ashford in the Water is also a dog friendly pub

8. Visit Chatsworth House grounds

Spend an afternoon wandering around Chatsworth House grounds, you will be pleased to know they allow dogs in the Gardens as long as they are on a lead.

9. Visit the Eastern Moors, Sheffield

Travel to the Eastern Moors near to Sheffield and experience the open spaces of the moors and heather. Enjoy a National Trust walk and stop off at The Grouse inn, which is dog friendly. You can eat with your dog in the conservatory area at the back (limited seating) or there are several benches and tables outside.

Read our post National Trust Dog walks to find out about more interesting dog walks that are on National Trust property in the Peak District.

10. Visit Black Rocks at Cromford

Visit Black Rocks at Cromford and enjoy a varied walk with your dog through woodlands and open spaces. There are way marked trails, but also plenty of footpaths for those with a local map.

You can read about our trip to Black Rocks Cromford to find out more.

11. Try a Woodland Walk

If your dog enjoys running around in the woods, then there are plenty to choose from in the Peak District. Please read our Woodland Dog Walks feature to find out more.

Useful dog walking books in Peak District

12. Visit a National Trust Property

There are many National Trust properties in the Peak District and most of them have dog friendly areas.

We have written a separate post about National Trust Dog walks, so take a look.

We hope that you have enjoyed reading about 12 things to do with your dog in the Peak District. Please have a look at our Pinterest page which will give you a few more ideas about what to do in the Peak District when you are visiting with your dog.

Filed Under: Events, Featured Walks Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Visiting the Peak District with your dog

April 15, 2021 By
Dog in the Peak District

If you’re visiting the Peak District with your dog, you’ll find plenty of places where you’ll be welcome.

The Peak District has glorious views, picturesque villages and plenty of attractions for both man and dog to explore.

Local towns to explore

The towns of Ashbourne, Bakewell, Buxton and Matlock offer central points from which you can explore. In addition there is the Hope Valley including Castleton, a favourite with many people. All have an abundance of dog friendly cafes and pubs too to ensure you don’t go hungry or thirsty.

Dog walks in the Peak District

You might like to try The Monyash Meander following the Limestone Way and then back to Monyash. Alternatively the Bakewell Loop follows part of the Monsal Trail, before looping back to Bakewell. If you fancy a woodland dog walk then try Black Rocks dog walk near Cromford. In fact, you could incorporate a canal side walk if you check out the Weekend dog walk in Cromford.

Check out these posts for more woodland walks and National Trust walks. Why not take a stroll through Hardwick Hall near Chesterfield or Kedleston Hall near Derby. You’ll find plenty of dog walks where dogs are well thought of and catered for.

Dog Friendly attractions in the Peak District

The Peak District isn’t just about dog walks though. In fact you’ll find that your dog is welcome at many of the attractions.

The Peak Rails heritage line runs between Rowsley and Matlock. It’s part of the old Midland Railway line which ran between Manchester and London St Pancras. Dogs are welcome on the train.

Pets are also welcome on the trams at the Crich Tramway museum near Matlock, where there is also woodland and sculpture trails to enjoy. Dogs can also take a ride on the Buxton Tram, a converted milk float known as “The Wonder of the Peak” which tours this lovely town.

Tilly waiting to board the Buxton Tram
Tilly waiting to board the Buxton Tram

In Buxton, Poole’s Cavern is well worth walking around – although dogs are not permitted due to safety reasons. They are, however, allowed in Treak Cliff Cavern in Castleton with the cavern thought to be the only place in the world where Blue John stone naturally occurs.

Your dog can also travel in the cable cars up to the Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath. They have a Waggy Tails Trail where you can walk your dog. Your dog can also join you for lunch on the outdoor cafe terrace. Sadly they are not allowed in the underground caverns but there are plenty of other outdoor spaces to explore!

You will find that the Peak District has so many things to see and do. Even a day or week in the Peaks will leave you and your pets wondering just when you’ll be back.

Filed Under: Events

One man and his dog (and a pub too!)

February 9, 2014 By

Cricket Inn totleyEveryone knows that a dog is a man’s best friend and that bond can only get stronger for visiting the Peak District and its many dog friendly pubs.

When visiting pubs with your dog in the Peak District, the obvious key point is to find dog friendly hostelries – and preferably at either end of the walk or better still several pubs along one of the beautiful and thirst-developing walks you simply must explore.

Now let’s not beat around the bush. A long walk across hills, uphill and down dale or from picturesque towns and villages such as Matlock or Bakewell, leaves your dog needing a long cold drink and you need a pint or two of the amber nectar to replenish the energy reserves.

In the homely and welcoming Peak District pubs, you’ll find real ales aplenty to enjoy from local breweries like Thornbridge and the Buxton Brewery and ones from further afield too, everything from golden ales to dark stouts, as well as lagers, ciders, soft drinks, teas and coffees.

And if you’ve been out in cold or wet weather exploring attractions such as The Monyash Meander along the Limestone Way, the Monsal Trail, the Bakewell Loop, the Cromford and The High Peak Incline or Black Rocks, The Peak Rails heritage line, Crich Tramway museum, the Buxton Tram or enjoying some of the picturesque walks through unspoilt countryside or through spectacular woodland trails, you’ll find a log fire or two enticing you towards it.

After all, there is nothing better than getting some feeling back into those bones or warming the tired limbs after an enjoyable days in the great outdoors.

Whether you find yourself in Ashbourne, Bakewell, Buxton, Derby, Glossop, the Hope Valley or Matlock at the end of a day’s activities or trekking, you will find a replenishing drink or two waiting for all with a welcoming dog bowl of water going down just as quickly as a pint of real ale.

In Ashbourne, the huge number of options includes Ye Old Vaults on the Market Square, while The Red Lion on The Square and The Castle on Castle Street are two of the dog friendly pubs available in Bakewell.

When it comes to Buxton, the Buxton Tap House on George Street is among the options, and Derby has a whole host of dog friendly pubs around the town – too many to mention but check out our comprehensive list!

In Castleton in the Hope Valley, try out Ye Olde Nags Head on Cross Street and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, and in Matlock two of the many pubs available for all is the MoCa Bar on Dale Road or perhaps the Boat Inn at Cromford.

We have produced a handy pub guide which gives you a list of all the dog friendly pubs in the Peak District, as well as the local dog friendly coffee shops too! Check it out, it costs less than a pint!

Filed Under: Events, Uncategorized

Visiting Matlock with your dog

June 8, 2023 By

This post has been updated with Things to do in Matlock with your dog.

All the information below is still valid, but you’ll find more detail on the Things to Do in Matlock page.

If you’re visiting Matlock with your dog, you’ll enjoy beautiful countryside walks and a warm and friendly welcome from numerous cafes and pubs.

Black Rocks Cromford

Black Rocks Cromford

Please note that this post includes affiliate links and as such this website will earn a small commission if you click and subsequently order. There is no additional cost to you, it simply helps us continue to run this website.

Dog Walks in Matlock

Matlock is wonderful – that’s probably why you’re going there, to walk round and take in the beauty of the town. But your dog doesn’t need to be left out of it all. The town may be busy, but there are several picturesque walks to do when you are visiting Matlock with your dog.  

You could saunter through Hall Leys Park (town centre) or perhaps wander the banks of the River Derwent. Both allow well behaved dogs. You can walk along the Cromford Canal just outside of the town, which will stretch the legs a bit more.

The cliff tops also provide an exhilarating dog walk. You’ll experience views of the town and surrounding countryside from up on High Tor and around Riber Castle.   There is a footpath that is regularly used by dog walkers.

Some recommended books to read

These books are all good ones to read if you want to find a dog walk or a dog walk with a dog friendly pub at the end of the walk.

Dog Friendly attractions in Matlock

Several of Matlock’s attractions are dog friendly.  You can ride on the four-mile long Peak Rails heritage railway between Matlock and Rowsley with your pet. Or perhaps you’d like to visit the Crich Tramway Museum, located just outside Matlock in Crich. Dogs are welcome on the trams, some of which are almost open air. There is also a woodland walk and sculpture trail at the museum.

The Heights of Abraham is also dog friendly, and your dog will be allowed to travel on the cable car! There are woodland walks to try, once you arrive at the Heights of Abraham. Or you can also sit outside the café with your dog.

Dog Friendly pubs in Matlock

If you’re thinking a nice refreshing pint is on the agenda then the MoCa Bar on Dale Road is dog friendly. Other options within the Matlock area include, The Miners Arms in Brassington, and The Rising Sun on Middleton top. You’ll find dogs welcome at the The Boat Inn and The Bell in Cromford. Also The Red Lion in Birchover and the Flying Childers in Stanton in Peak.

Dog Friendly Cafes in Matlock

There is also a myriad of dog friendly cafes that can be found in Matlock. You can enjoy a light lunch and a hot drink with your dog by your side.

Filed Under: Events, Featured Attractions, Where to Visit Tagged With:

Feb Half term with dogs in the Peak District

June 8, 2023 By

With February half term rapidly approaching, here are a few dog friendly places and events that you can go with your dog:

Monday
Monday is market day in Bakewell. There are lots of interesting stalls and things to look at. Many people bring their dogs and have a mooch around the market (all of which is outdoors). If you need to warm up, you can visit one of Bakewells dog friendly pubs or cafes. Later you can take the dog for a walk around the Bakewell Loop, stopping at Hassop Hall bookshop for a drink in the undercover outside area, if it’s warm enough to do so!

Tuesday
Take a trip to Buxton and visit Grinlow Woods and Solomons Temple. Your dog can have a wonderful walk off lead, exploring the woods and fields around Solomons temple. If you walk up to the top of Solomons temple, you will be rewarded with far reaching views of Buxton town (assuming it is a clear day!)  You can finish off your walk with a lovely drink and a snack at Pooles Cavern coffee shop, which welcomes dogs. Later on, you could have a walk through Buxton Pavillion Gardens, whilst your dog will need to be on a lead, it is a very pleasant area to have a wander. Later you could visit Barbarellas – which is licensed (so unfortunately does not allow children). They do however welcome dogs and serve rather nice food. New dog friendly additions include the Buxton Tap house who are very welcoming towards dogs and will often offer a drink and a dog biscuit for their canine friends! Another is the Old Court House wine and coffee bar which is happy to welcome well behaved dogs.

Wednesday
How about having a wonder across to Hope Valley. There are some nice opportunities for a dog walk around Mam Tor and surrounding areas. Afterwards you could drive down to Castleton or Hope and visit one of the dog friendly pubs in the area. There are also some nice coffee shops that you could try.

Thursday
How about a visit to Matlock and Cromford? There is a great place for a dog walk at Black Rocks, or perhaps you might want to have a meander down to Cromford Canal.  There are several dog friendly pubs and coffee shops in and around Matlock that you might want to try.

Friday
What about visiting the Ashbourne area. There is the Tissington Trail that can be walked on with your dog. You could visit Dovedale. There are plenty of dog friendly pubs near Ashbourne that you could visit.

Have a great half term.

Filed Under: Date sensitive, Where to Visit

Choose a dog walk

September 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Black Rocks Cromford

Black Rocks Cromford

Here are a few lovely dog walks that we have put together when you come up to the Peak District with your 4 legged friend!

Monyash Meander – a short 2 mile walk around the village of Monyash and surrounding dales. Finishing with a visit to either a dog friendly pub or cafe.

The Wild Rhubarb Walk – try some of the Monsal Trail, but then drop down to the riverside and enjoy the peace and tranquility and nature.

The Bakewell Loop – a fairly flat circular walk of about 3 miles, along parts of the Monsal Trail from Bakewell. Along the way you will pass Hassop Station which houses a coffee shop. There is space outside to sit undercover with your dog. Otherwise you need to find the dog friendly pubs and coffee shops in Bakewell itself.

The Cromford Canal and High Peak Incline  – a pleasant walk along the canal followed by an uphill climb along the High Peak trail and then drop back down into Cromford, where there are dog friendly pubs.

Black Rocks – is close to Cromford and is a great place to let your dog off lead. There are a choice of way marked paths you can follow.

All of the above walks allow your dog to be off the lead, there are other places that you can try some of which may require your dogs to be on the lead – particularly the National Trust walks – although some places are more lenient than others.

Finally there are Woodland walks which are usually offlead and offer your dog plenty of fun.

Hopefully one of these will take your fancy! Enjoy your walks.

 

 

Filed Under: Featured Walks, Slider

Cromford & The High Peak Incline – a walk review

March 5, 2013 By

A dog walk along Cromford Canal

A dog walk along Cromford Canal

Distance: 3.5 miles
Time taken: 1.75 hours
Terrain: Towpaths, trails, woodland paths and footpaths alongside busy road.

I’ve just completed one of the walks shown in the Collins “Short Walks in the Peak District.”  Here is my review of it’s suitability for dog walkers.

The walk begins from the Cromford Canal car park, which is opposite Cromford Mill and is a pay and display car park. There are handy toilets at the start and also a cafe across the way.

1. Following the towpath from Cromford Wharf, walk a mile along the towpath to High Peak Junction.

Warnings for dog walkers:

  • There is a low barbed wire fence which is almost hidden behind the stone wall on your left as you wall along the towpath. Whilst it might not present a danger to most dogs, those with an inquisitive nature and a strong sense of smell, might be tempted to jump the wall into the field beyond, and could quite easily hurt themselves on the barbed wire. Just be careful.
  •  There is a train track that runs alongside the towpath, before you get to High Peak Junction. There is only three strands of wire that would prevent a dog from straying towards the line. Once again, just be prepared for this and keep a close eye on your dog.

2. From High Peak Junction, cross the canal at the swing bridge and go to the right behind the building.

Warning for dog walkers: You will pass under a road bridge, and the path climbs uphill quite close to the road. It would be possible for the dog to access the road if not carefully supervised.

Note: There are toilets and handy poo bins at this part of the walk.

3. Walk up the High Peak incline (which is quite steep and will raise your heart beat!) There are some interesting placques and notices to read on the way.

4. When you reach the High Peak trail carpark, go through a gate at the side of the car park and immediately turn right – almost doubling back on yourself. Follow the waymarked path down through the wooded area.  Plenty of rabbit smells for dogs down here.

5. When you reach the bottom of the path and it opens out into a clearing, turn right and find the gap in the wall. Follow the field path, alongside the boundary wall.

6. Go through a narrow gate (with cottages to your right) and turn left and head down the access lane. This seems as though it is a driveway to the cottages.

Warning for dog walkers: There is a cattle grid on this lane. You can bypass this by walking around it and through a metal gate.

The access lane drops downhill towards some more houses. You will see a footpath sign to the right, but do not take this and continue along the road as it bends to the left.

7. You are looking for a stone squeezer stile on your right which leads into a narrow hedge-lined path which leads down into Cromford.

Narrow stone squeezer stile to negotiate

Narrow stone squeezer stile to negotiate

8. Follow this path until it links with Cromford Hill. Turn right and walk down the main road into Cromford.

9. Cross the busy A6 and walk past Cromford Mills back to the car park.

The book I used to do this dog walk is shown below and has 20 different “easy” walks which are all less than five miles. All walks are suitable for beginners and families.

 

 

Filed Under: Featured Walks

Woodland Dog Walks in the Peak District

June 8, 2023 By

If you’d like to experience some woodland dog walks in the Peak District, then please keep reading. In this post I will highlight some of the many woodlands that exist in the Peak District. We hope that you enjoy these areas with your dog as much as we do!

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Goyt Valley Woodland Walk
Goyt Valley Woodland Walk

We have such a diverse landscape in the Peak District, ranging from open moorland and gritstone edges to soft green pastures and rolling hills, but one of my favourite places for a dog walk is walking in the woods. In the Summer, it is cool and you can avoid the harsh summer sun (if you want to), in the rain, you are protected from the weather by walking under this huge “natural umbrella” and in the Autumn, woods are great for kicking along the leaves that have fallen. The woods take on a whole new persona as each season passes. The other great advantage, is that you don’t have to keep an eye out for livestock, as you very rarely find them in woodlands.

Longdendale Estate (Stalybridge) – 865 acres

Directions: From A57 in Glossop take the B6105 and follow the road alongside the reservoirs until you reach Torside car park. (National Park Information Centre). SK008975

Details: The woodland has a path which climbs uphill via Wildboar Clough, and a stream that cascades down. You can enjoy views across to the reservoirs and moorlands. You’ll find access to the woods is via the Longendale Trail which is part of the Trans Pennine trail.

I’m pretty sure this is where Tilly and I stopped off for a dog walk after we had been further North to visit potential stud dogs when she was younger. In fact we’re planning on going back again, as it’s such a beautiful area to walk.

Recommended Dog walk books

Upper Derwent Woodlands (2012 acres) SK173893

Situated off the A57 west of Sheffield.

If you start at the visitor centre at Fairholmes you’ll find toilets and snacks available. There are several waymarked walks from Fairholmes but there are lots of other footpaths that you can follow to make up your own route. The dams here were used by the “Dambusters” during the Second World War and there is a museum which tells you more about this on the west side of the Derwent Dam.

Wharncliffe Woods (1127 acres) SK324951

Directions: (Sheffield) From A61 turn West towards Grenoside. Take the Woodhead Road north through the village. The wood is on the left once you are through the village.

The woods is part of the South Yorkshire Forest.  In fact, Wharcliffe Chase was part of a Royal Hunting Lodge and in Greno Woods stone was mined. There are access routes for bikers, horse riders and walkers.

Rivelin Valley (Sheffield) – 247 acres. SK324888

Directions: From A61 at Owlerton take the B6079 towards Malinbridge. The wood is on the right once you have passed through Malinbridge. 

Here there are some wonderful walks along the riverside. In fact, you’ll see evidence of the area’s industrial heritage on your walk, including dams, millponds and weirs.

Padley Gorge – 62 acres SK257799

Directions: Take the B6521 towards Calver. From A623 turn onto B6001 at Calver and then B6521 in Grindleford towards the station. Park at the station.

There is a great circular walk from Grindleford Station- walk along the river cross the wooden footbridge to the open country above the woodland and cross down to the other side of the gorge – taking in the contrast between open moorland and shady woodland. There are refreshments at a cafe close to the station. Large seating area outside.

Linacre Woodlands (200 acres) SK335728

Directions: Located off B6050 west of Cutthorpe – near Chesterfield.

Woodland surrounds three reservoirs, but there are also lots of footpaths around the edges of the woodland – so you can avoid the reservoirs altogether if you wish. There are toilets on site. You’ll find parking available on site with plenty of paths to follow.

Eccleshall Woods – Sheffield (346 acres) SK323824

Directions: From the A621 turn west at the Beauchief traffic lights onto Abbey Lane.

This is the largest ancient woodland site in the Sheffield area, where lots of wildlife can be found. There is an extensive network of public footpaths and bridleways and a special trail for less able people.

Black Rocks – Cromford (210 acres) SK291557

Directions: Take the B5036 off the A6 south towards Wirksworth. After approx 1 mile turn left into Black Rocks car park.

The name Black Rocks, takes itself from the huge gritstone rocks which are visible at the entrance to the site from the car park. There are a couple of well marked routes, which take you through forests and sections of open woodland with heathers. The site also crosses the High Peak trail – popular with walkers and cyclists.

This is just a small selection of the woodland dog walks in the Peak District that you can explore with your dog. They are great for a short stay or simply an afternoon out with the dog and kids.

Hope you enjoy.

Filed Under: Featured Walks Tagged With:
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