Lathkill Dale in winter

Lathkill Dale is one of the most scenic Dales in the Peak District.  It is well worth walking through this beautiful valley at any time of year but there is no doubt that the dale is at it's most dramatic during the winter, especially after rain.  The River Lathkill emerges from a cave and pours into and along it's narrow valley with streams and watercourses joining along the way.  A truly memorable sight! 

We start our walk from the free car park at Monyash and follow the Limestone Way, crossing deep and narrow Cales Dale, eventually emerging on a minor road at it's junction with Moor Lane.  We proceed downhill over fields and through a farm before descending steeply into Lathkill Dale itself near Over Haddon where we first cross the river by a footbridge.  We follow the river westward though trees and past old mine workings, observing tumbling weirs and small waterfalls along the way, emerging close to the picturesque junction of Lathkill and Cales Dale.  We then proceed to the famous and dramatic cave from which the river pours, continuing westward through one of the most scenic valleys in the Peak District, through old quarry workings up to the top of the Dale and back to Monyash.