Dovedale
Bakewell Biddulph Grange Bolsover Castle Castleton Chatsworth House Dovedale Eyam Village Haddon Hall Hardwick Hall Heights of Abraham Peak tour in Brief Quarry Bank Mill The Tram Museum	The thumbnails below are linked to larger pictures Dovedale is a well known beauty spot situated within the National Trust's South Peak Estate. Dovedale's popularity owes much to its accessibility by a broad level path following the bank of the river Dove through a gorge lined by craggy rocks and pillars. The most famous section is a wooded ravine at a bend in the river, marked by a crossing point constructed from steppping stones, which must appear on thousands of postcards and amateur photographs. A level walk of one mile will take the less adventurous or elderly up the river bank past Thorpe Cloud which is 940 ft high and past the stepping stones. Crossing the stones is easy for the nimble footed but can cause problems for those with a less developed sense of balance. The more athletic can continue for a further two miles up to Milldale and the Viator Packhorse Bridge, passing various rock formations and caves on route. Many of the rocks used to be parts of active coral reefs and flowing water aided by wind and rain has eaten away the softer limestone forming caverns or arches. Along the route it is worth watching out for birds such as dippers, like large wrens with white breasts, who dive into the river looking for food. Also the occasional kingfisher and heron can be spotted. A colour map of the route identifying the rock formations can be purchased for a small sum from the Log Cabin in the visitors public car park. The southern entrance to Dovedale can be reached by the A515 out of Ashbourne towards Buxton and after a couple of miles take a left turn signposted Ilam Thorpe Dovedale. *Link to official site for viewing Visitor Information*