Beresford and Wolfscote Dales, Staffordshire

Start point: Hartington, Ordnance Survey Map OL24, Grid Ref: SK 129 604

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A good car parking spot is by the duckpond at the village green in Hartington.

The start of the walk goes past these lovely cottages with lots of flowers in the garden.


From Hartington the path heads out across the fields, heading towards Beresford Dale.


The path crosses this footbridge over the River Dove near the start of Beresford Dale.


Just past the footbridge is this large stone pillar jutting out of the river bed. This area of the River Dove is known as the Pike Pool because of the stone pillar, or pike.


At the end of Beresford Dale is this footbridge leading to Wolfscote Dale but our path to Alstonefield goes to the right.


The path to Alstonefield leads through this tree-lined area, with new blossom on the trees.


Here the path climbs past this old, dilapidated farm that had a number of rusting tractors in the farmyard.


Eventually the walk leads to the village green at Alstonefield.


The old well in Alstonefield that once was the main provider of water to the village.


The Community Centre in Alstonefield - they provide a great cup of tea and cheese salad sandwiches, with the money going to help the church restoration fund.


The walk to Wolfscote Dale leaves Alstonefield via the road toward Lode Mill and Ashbourne.


The path from the road leads past the Youth Hostel along this stone walled track.


Eventually the path bears right and descends steeply into Wolfscote Dale.


At the bottom of the descent the path crosses over the River Dove via Coldeaton Bridge.


The path now travels along Wolfscote Dale for about 2-1/2 miles, heading back towards Hartington.


The path closely follows the meanderings of the River Dove.


Here the path goes past a footbridge near Iron Tors.


The path here goes past the junction with Biggin Dale.


Occasionally the sides of the dale change from steep grassy slopes to shear limestone crags.


At the end of Wolfscote Dale the path briefly leads away from the River Dove across this wide grassy field, soon to meet Beresford Dale again.


Almost at the end of Beresford Dale now, the path leads past the large stone pillar on the right.


At the end of Beresford Dale the path leads towards Morson Wood.


From Morson Wood the path leads across the fields back to Hartington.


Back in Hartington, St. Giles' Church is well worth a visit.