Miles: 5.4 Difficulty: Easy Duration: 2.5- 3 hr
A perfect hike for beginners. Relatively short and circular, Wolfscote hike can be completed in 2.5 hrs (without breaks). You'll start off walking through your standard farmlands before entering a small woods situated alongside the river, eventually you'll see a cluster of peaks as you follow the path. In short, the walk packs all of the Peak District glamour within a short time, making it perfect for those who haven't yet visited, or fancy a shorter hike.
Kickoff- From Hartington farm shop and cafe, go up the small path between the buildings (public toilets on the other side), where it’s signposted as ‘public footpath to Dovedale via Beresford and Wolfscote Dales’. Walk up the track bearing right towards the hills, then through two gates close together continuing south.
Step 1- Keep walking and follow the public footpath signs, through a gap in a drystone wall and past a hill on your left. Eventually, you’ll reach a stone stile in a wall leading into Morson Woods, this is one of the first places that you can get out your camera and snap some amazing shots as you approach Beresford Dale.
Step 2- Go across the footbridge into Beresford Dale with the river now on your left. Walk until you reach a wide track, from here cross the river again via the footbridge and follow the lower path leading into Wolfscote Dale (be careful on this bridge especially if you have dogs or small children).
As you go through the wooden gate into Wolfscote Dale you’ll notice a small cave above the path (that's where I am in the photo!). Then continue along the footpath section to the River Dove. Look out for the rare Mandarin Duck.
Step 3- The views here are amazing as you walk down the dale. Towards the end of the dale you’ll see a huge rock formation called Drabber Tor and further along you’ll see Peaseland Rocks. At the end of Wolfscote Dale, you’ll see a National Trust signpost, pointing to Hartington, Milldale and left to Biggin, (the route you’ll take).
Step 4- Turn left and head down Biggin Dale, the path along this part of the route is rockier so watch your footing! (in the winter this area is known to flood). There is also a small cave along this part of the walk.
Step 5- In summer months, you’ll walk along the dried-up river bed, as the narrow footpath on the left can be overgrown with nettles, but in the winter the nettles will have declined making it easy to follow the path. Walk until you reach a gate, go through and continue down the path until you reach a second gate.
Step 6- Follow this path until you reach a signpost directing you left back to Hartington. Turn left and go through the gate out of Biggin Dale. Then after about 300 metres, turn left at the next signpost, heading uphill out of the dale.
Step 7- Continue walking on a track, past some farm buildings, ignore the first turnings on your left and continue until a narrow stone stile. Walk down here, turn left at the bottom and continue until it brings you out at the back of the Hartington farm shop.
Avoid the stile – Stay on the road and walk into Hartington Village, turn left past the pubs and left again back to the car park.
