Sunday 26th March 2006 - Dovedale

On Sunday 26 March our walks are in the Dovedale area of the Peak District based in the village of Ilam. The coach will leave school as usual at 8.00 am prompt. There are toilets at or very near the start of all walks. We plan to leave Ilam at 5.00 pm to be back in Formby at about 7.30 pm. All walks are circular starting and finishing in Ilam. There is a snack bar at the car park near the coach park, open to 4.00 pm and a tea room about 15 minutes walk away at Ilam Hall, open until 5.00 pm. Conditions underfoot, plenty of mud, mean walking boots will be essential.

Please return Booking form by Thurday 16th February.

 

 

 

‘A’ Walk Distance:13 miles Ascent: 1,100 ft Leaders: John Roberts Edwina Roberts	Heading west from Ilam through Musdenwood we skirt the village of Carlton before descending to the Manifold way as it follows the underground river Hamp and later the river Manifold itself. After crossing the footbridge we climb up to Thors cave for lunch. We then follow the high level track into Wetton, reluctantly passing the Royal Oak pub (negotiable) to return via Stanshope, following Halldale into Dovedale. Here we see rock formations and Leaping Lovers. We continue down Dovedale and eventually back to the coach in Ilam.
‘B+’ Walk Distance: 11½ miles Ascent: 2,000 ft Leaders: Andy Fowler Jane Fowler	We leave Ilam Hall along the banks of the Manifold River crossing the river by footbridges and head to Rushley where we continue through Musden Woods to Calton.  Heading north we climb to Slade House and onwards to the Manifold Way.  We continue climbing northwards to the ridge and descend sharply to Weags Bridge in the valley.  Climbing again along Larkstone Way we reach the other ridge and the nature reserve.  At Castern Hall we begin our descent back into Ilam alongside the riverbank.
‘B’ Walk Distance: 8½ miles Ascent: 600ft Leaders: David Poole David Wake	From Ilam village we walk to Ilam hall and then through the park beside the river Manifold before climbing up tracks to Castern Hall and through fields to Stanshope. From here we take the footpath down Milldale into Dovedale. We follow the path down Dovedale a spectacular incised limestone valley with rock pinnacles, cliffs, the stairway of Jacob's Ladder leading to Lovers Leap, across stepping stones (if the river Dove is not in flood), or over a footbridge and eventually back to the coach in Ilam.
‘C’ Walk Distance: 6 ½ miles. Ascent: 600ft Leaders: David Turton Stuart Norris	From Ilam village we walk to Ilam hall and then through the park beside the river Manifold before climbing through fields to Stanshope. From here we take the footpath down Halldale into Dovedale. We follow the path down Dovedale through spectacular scenery and eventually back to the coach in Ilam.