Easy
2 hours
3.9 miles
Dale Trail
Dog-friendly
Tideswell Dale is a peaceful limestone valley on the edge of Tideswell village in the Peak District. A designated nature reserve, it’s rich in wildflowers, butterflies, and birdlife, with easy paths that make it ideal for a short stroll or family walk.
Tideswell Dale Highlights
Why go on this trail?
Along the way you’ll spot old lime kilns hinting at the area’s industrial past, and the dale also links to longer trails towards Millers Dale, Litton Mill and The Monsal Trail. With picnic spots, gentle scenery, and the historic village of Tideswell nearby, it’s a quieter corner of the Peak District that’s perfect for slowing down and soaking up the landscape.
Preparation
Gear: Any clothing is suitable for this trail, however water resistant shoes are recommended after extended rain when heading to the disused quarry in step 2 (this is skippable though).
Dogs: This trail is dog-friendly but they should be kept on a lead outside of Tideswell Dale from step 4 due to cars and cyclists.
Local rules: National Park Authority states that visitors should leave no trace for litter or dog waste, avoid camping, fireworks, and fires.
Terrain
Elevation: Tideswell Dale is fairly flat and wheelchair-friendly but the full walk includes short-lived inclines and descension.
Terrain: Smooth paths, Dirt paths, Steps
Local Amenities
The nearest village for amenities is Tideswell. Recommendations are limited to the south side towards Buxton Road.
Toilets:
- Tideswell Dale car park public toilets
Pubs:
- The Horse & Jockey
Places to eat:
- The Cow Shed Cafe & Farm Shop
- Cherry Tree
- Tideswell Lounge
Getting there
It’s close enough to walk from Tideswell village south down Buxton Road within 30 minutes.
By car: Use your GPS or Google Maps to get to Tideswell Dale car park, B6049, Buxton, SK17 8QH.
By bus: Take the Stagecoach 65 bus to Tideswell Dale car park from Tideswell Fountain Square or buxton Road in 5 minutes.
Step 1 - Tideswell Dale Car Park
Start the walk at Tideswell Dale car park. It’s a Pay & Display with toilets. You can drive, get a bus to the entrance or walk down Buxton Road from Tideswell village. Car park charges apply 9am to 6pm:
- Up to 1 hour = £2.10
- Up to 2 hours = £3.40
- All day = £6.60
When you’ve parked, go past the building and benches down the path into the dale.
Shortly after you’ll arrive at a gate where Tideswell Dale begins. We’re going to turn left up the slope on the slightly longer trail (+10 minutes) but you can skip the next step by following the right path straight on until you reach the bridge in step 3.
Step 2 - Tideswell Dale to Ravenstor
After a short incline, there is a disused basalt quarry with a path going through a few fields.
When you go into the second bigger field, veer off to the right until you get to the small wooden gate. This takes you down steps back into the dale’s main path. This area has some elevated views of the hills surrounding Tideswell dale.
Step 3 - Ravenstor
When you reach the bottom there is a wooden bridge ahead. Go turn to the National Trust ‘Ravenstor’ sign, and then continue straight on down the dale.
Note: Usually there is water flowing under the bridge called Brook Head but during dry spells it may dry up and grow vegetation like the pictures in this guide.
Step 4 - Litton Mill in Miller's Dale
After a short 10-15 minutes through Ravenstor in Tideswell Dale, you come out into Miller’s Dale road called Litton Mill approach. Follow the road to the left. You can simply follow the road straight to Litton Mill but we’re going up the slightly longer route (+5-10 minutes). It goes up a little woodland path.
Follow the stone wall to the left and around until the path comes out into a parking area with a house ahead.
At the end of the road, turn right down the road. This bends around to the right again. Follow the road straight on back down Litton Mill Approach but if you turn around at this point you’ll find Litton Mill apartments.
Step 5 - Monsal Trail
When you follow the road, you will quickly reach a collection of houses on your right. There is a public footpath on your left pointing to the Monsal Trail. Head down this path.
Note: If you want to skip the Monsal Trail, simply keep following the main road to the path you came from at the start of step 4 back Ravenstor, Tideswell Dale.
Cross the bridge and enjoy views of River Wye before continuing on up the dirt path.
When you get up to the Monsal Trail, follow the sign to the right pointing to Wye Dale.
Note: the steps on the left in the picture above go up to Priestcliffe Lees Nature Reserve. This hill is full of purple Knapweed and Jacob’s ladder flowers in the summer with potential sightings of brown hares and provides an elevated view looking towards Tideswell Dale but it’s not part of the route so you’ll have to go back down to the trail afterwards.
This part of Monsal Trail has views of Tideswell Dale’s limestone hills on your right as you walk along it. When you get to the bench on your left and signpost pointing to Ravenstor take a right down some woodland area steps.
Note: Millers Dale car park is only a mile further down the trail. You can also also start the walk there and join onto this walk from the other direction.
Step 6 - Back to Tideswell Dale
When you reach the bottom, cross the picturesque bridge back onto Litton Mill Approach and take a right.
When you see the giant limestone rock, this is the path you came from at the start of step 4 from Ravenstor. Take a left back into Tideswell Dale.
When you get back to the bridge crossing into Ravenstor, take a left down a different path back to the car park until you reach the next bridge then turn left.
Now just keep going straight and go through the gate to Tideswell Dale car park and that’s it!
The dale itself is actually a short walk you can do in 20-30 minutes. This is great way to extend it into a full walk.