Ordnance Survey OS Explorer Ol24 The Peak District Walking Hiking Guide

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Thor’s Cave is one of the most impressive caves you can visit for free in the Peak District. It’s also the picture on the OL24 map if you’ve ever wondered where that photo was taken. After exploring Thor’s cave on the walk from Wetton I hadn’t expected to find even more on the same walk. These caves are located just above Wetton Mill on this 5-mile loop from Wettonbut can easily be missed as the path takes you directly down to the mill. Following the steep path upwards to your right, you reach a gate at the top. (You’ll probably see people pushing bikes up here as it’s that steep). But don’t worry it’s short and steep! Don’t go through the gate but instead take the path on your left over the bridge. For the above Chee Dalewalk you need the White Peaks Area OL24 map for the Peak District. If you want to explore the Dark Peaks area, including Kinder Scout and Mam Tor you need OL1 map. Go through another small gate and head downhill to where it joins another path. Turn left here (signposted Swythamley – photo above), after about 50 m there are stone steps over a drystone wall (signposted Concession Path + Hanging Stone). Follow the path, over a second smaller set of stone steps, to reach the Hanging Stone. Hanging Stone Stage 3 – Hanging Stone toDanebridge

Please note, there are NO toilets here, they even have a sign, but apparently, everyone still asks! Looking down to the Monsal Trail For many years I walked along Stanage Edge and had no clue that this cave existed. Robin Hood’s cave (grid referenceSK 24424 83589) is located about 1 km from the southerly trig point (the one nearest Upper Burbage Bridge), a great place to start your walk if you’re looking to do a short day hike. After 300 m you’ll reach a fingerpost sign, turn right here, signposted ‘The Ridge’ and follow the footpath uphill. At the top, there’s another signpost, turn right here (signposted Danebridge) and go through the small gate. The footpath continues along the top of the ridge with beautiful views and you can look behind you towards The Roaches. Signpost on the Ridge Well, I managed not to get lost, so that’s the benchmark! Following the boardwalk along the River Wye Do you enjoy exploring caves in the Peak District? Let me know in the comments any cool ones you’ve found. Other useful information Cave Tours

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Map: Ordnance Survey OL24 Walk Map Chee Dale walk map Peak District Where to Start the Chee Dale Walk? On route up to the cave, you’ll go under this cool archway, perfect for photos and admiring the view down of Dovedale. From Dovedale stepping stones it’s about 1.5 km to the path leading to the cave. Walk along the path and after Lover’s Leap, where the path ascends then descends to a viewpoint it’s about 700 metres (approx 10 minutes walk). OSI and OSNI produce paper 1:50K and some 1:25K maps. OSI isn't online. OSNI (then Basemap Gallery / 4 squares icon, then 25K or 50K) On Windows) To copy a map to the clipboard : use CRTL PRINT-SCREEN (thats press and hold the CTRL key, then press PRINT SCREEN). You can then paste it into MS Word.

Unlike Thor’s Cave, you won’t need to torch to explore as the cave is aptly described as a hole because that’s pretty much what it is. You can still scramble up to the top part of the cave but as you can see from the picture above the light flooding in won’t give you any issues with navigating! This was one of my favourite parts of the walk. The contrast from being on the Monsal Trail to being below it within minutes is breathtaking. I’d recommend allowing plenty of time for this last section as there are lots of things to see. OpenStreetMap is an opensource global crowd sourced map. It is better at showing footpaths than the OS in some places. Go across the footbridge, then on your left look for a gap in the wall, signposted Gradbach Mill (photo above). Go through here and continue on the low-level footpath that’s following the River Dane. You’ll go through another gap in the wall and along the footpath to a gate and down some steps to bring you out at Gradbach Mill. Gradbach Mill next to the River Dane

The path winds up and down but keeping next to the river so it’s perfect for not getting lost. If that’s something you worry about! The car park at Gradbach is a small free car park for up to about 20 cars.If possible, arrive early during peak times to guarantee a space. Please note there is no additional parking on the roads due to the narrow lanes leading up to the car park. Switch to: OpenStreetMap - global, free, volunteer created maps. We use the OpenTopo map tile server. There is an option to buy either the standard map or you can buy a waterproof one. If you opt for the standard one, which is cheaper I’d recommend getting a map case as well, I use this one from SealLine, so far it’s not let me down. Looking for longer routes? Try our Roaches and Lud’s Church 10-mile walk here More walks in the Peak District

The Hermit’s cave isn’t one that that you go inside, as you can see from the picture above it’s been fenced off, but it has a fascinating story and it’s certainly worth adding to your list of walks and caves in the Peak District to explore. You can visit Thor’s cave on a walk from nearby Wetton – this 5-mile route is perfect to explore the cave and Manifold Valley. All the walk details are included, plus you can visit a second cave on this walk too! Dove Holes Cave, Dovedale Dove Holes Cave There are options to take a detour if you’re walking in rainy weather and don’t want to get wet feet! There are no public toilets available at the start of the walk at Gradbach or the rest of the walk. There’s also another car park here if you’d prefer to start your walk here. But this one is much busier!And they take you around the corner out of sight so if it’s busy on the trail you might need to turn around as I can imagine they aren’t easy to pass other people on. Chee Dale Stepping Stones Follow the path down to the next wall and over another stile. Now head across the field, heading towards the trees via a feint path. Again, another cave that I didn’t know was there for some time. On the Dovedale walk, there are no signs for Reynard’s Cave (grid referenceSK 14507 52499) so it’s one that you need to know about! The route to this cave is steep and you’ll need decent hiking shoes or boots to safely climb to the top. There are no public transport options available for the start location at Gradbach. The nearest train station is Buxton train station (7 miles/12 km). Facilities on the walk The first larger cave was pretty impressive and I was pleasantly surprised when I went inside – I won’t spoil the surprise. But the second cave had a few treats too, in the photo the second smaller cave is to the left of the main one and this is fantastic to explore too.

At the start of Wolfscote Dale, instead of walking along the path by the River Dove take the uphill path which leads straight to the cave. There’s also a second cave just around the corner, I missed this out on my first visit so it’s on my list to explore. (Let me know what it’s like if you visit). Both these walks also go past another secret cave in the Peak District, keep reading and I’ll tell you where to find it! Wolfscote Dale cave near Hartington Cave on Wolfscote DaleLet me know if you’ve tried it and of course, show me your stepping stone photos! More Walks in the Peak District Eventually, you’ll go up stone steps leading out of Lud’s Church, at the top turn left and follow the footpath as it heads through the woods via various boarded sections.