Long ARS to Miller's Dale

Long-ARS tomorrow (Saturday 12th November)

Distance: 15.5km / 9 ¾ miles; 3 boots; map – OL 24

I have picked up the mantle from Steve Elliott who is unable to lead this walk that he planned. So thank you for Steve for doing the research. Steve kindly provided a route map, so that is also attached so you can see your yourself. I recced the walk on the 5th November and this is my brief description.

It's more of a mid-ARS than a long ARS but I won't split buttocks over semantics. It's a very nice walk, and I expect it was chosen with the rugby game in mind. I found that it took longer to walk than I expected, due to the terrain in places, so getting back to Audlem in time for the 2.30pm KO is only possible if you yomp/run it. But there are several opportunities for pub stops so one could watch it at one of those.

Walk start

Miller's Dale station car park. This has good facilities: toilets, dog water, benches, and refreshments van (at the finish) selling Peak district whippy and hot drinks. The charges reflect this- £4.50 for the day. I found it took the best part of 1.5 hours to get there, so for that reason and the rugby:

Meet: 8am Audlem car park

Sticking with Steve's boot rating it's a 3 booter. What gives it the third boot in my opinion is a few sections where we go over slippy limestone, which will probably still be covered in leaves. Being extra cautious of my glass ankles I could not make fast going over these. There's barely any ascent and probably a third of the route is on tarmac or good flat paths. There are options to extend the walk. The most obvious of these would add a good couple of hours.

If there is a sudden downpour on Friday, much of this route will be flooded so to avioid any canyoning I have a higher alternative route in mind, that isn't any longer.

#Route description

The route goes down into a steeply sided limestone valley, most of which is covered in trees. It was well drained in most parts, but the path does sometimes go close to the stream, and can be wet depending on the rainfall. If anyone is thinking of bringing a child in a backpack – bear in mind that there are quite a few overhanging branches on this and later sections.

We climb out of it and through several fields over a small hill that provides nice views. There are sheep in these fields and the multiple stiles are mainly the step type made of stone an built into the wall. I had to lift an old dog over most of these.

From there we descend into the lovely village of Tideswell where there are several cafes, pubs and a chippy. So no fear if you forget your lunch. Tideswell also has a big church that is worth a look around.

From the church we go up a lane and over another small hill into the equally lovely village of Litton. Here there is one pub (good food, good ale, open fires and dog biscuits) and a little PO/ newsagents/ cafe selling very nice Dales icecream amongst other less important things.

Leaving Litton across some fields we descend into the picturesque Tansley and Cressbrook Dales. A pleasant limestone valley walk brings us out at Cressbook Mill, where we get onto the riverside path through Miller's dales that you may remember from a previous ARS walk. Along this section I spotted some rock climbers, a big trout and various birds.

At Litton Mill we will climb onto the Monsal trail, to the final flat leg leading back to Miller's Dale station.

P.S.

– not that I'm obsessed with frozen colloid desserts, but the drive to the walk start does pass the farm that sells the most excellent Hilly Billy icecream, and A2 milk. It's between Buxton and Wincle so if you get a take home tub it can survive the journey home. Warning: Snugbury's may well be disappointing after you've had a Hilly Billy.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.