Dovedale is a beautiful valley, which attracts many outdoor lovers, every single year! Overlooking the popular valley is a pointy little hill, called Thorpe Cloud. The climb up is short, but steep! However, the views at the summit are incredible! It makes the little steep climb completely worthwhile!
The full route is just over 3.5 miles. It’s not a difficult route but does require a little bit of good fitness to be able to climb up to the summit of Thorpe Cloud. However, good footwear is a must! The path going up and down the summit is steep and can get slippery when wet and muddy. Also please note, that the final section of the summit contains a tiny bit of scrambling. But don’t worry, it’s nothing too technical!
Location
Thorpe Cloud and the famous Dovedale Valley are located south of the Peak District, not too far from the town of Ashbourne. A beautiful area of the National Park, full of valleys and rolling hills.
Parking
There is a National Trust car park called Narlow Lane Car Park, just outside the village of Thorpe. Just a two-minute walk away from The Old Dog Pub. A great place to go for some food after the walk! They even have some good vegan and gluten-free choices on their menu too!
Car park address for SatNav: Narlow Lane Car Park, DE6 2AT
The Route
Follow this map, as you walk the route, and you shouldn’t get lost! Make sure your location is turned on and you should be able to see exactly where you are, on this map. Or if you prefer, download the GPX file and use it on your choice of route tracker.
Walk the route anti-clockwise!
1.
Starting from Narlow Lane Car Park, head out of the car park towards The Old Dog Pub. Cross over the road, and follow the footpath along Wintercroft Lane, heading west.
2.
As you reach a bend in the road, you should see two footpaths going off to your right-hand side. Take the second one, marked with the footpath sign (as shown in the photo below).
3.
Follow the footpath as it leads you uphill. Very shortly, you will reach another path junction. Take the path going off to your left-hand side, marked Dovedale.
4.
Follow the path as it leads you across the pasture land, heading northwest towards Thorpe Cloud.
Please be aware there are cows roaming freely on this pasture land. However, please don’t worry, they seem to have very little interest in the people walking by!
5.
As you reach the end of the pasture land, head through a little wooden gate. Directly in front of you, there should be a path, leading you steeply up Thorpe Cloud.
6.
Follow the path all the way to the summit of Thorpe Cloud!
7.
From the summit, take the path leading you off the other side of the summit, travelling southeast.
If you are unsure at all, please check the map!
8.
As you reach the bottom of Thorpe Cloud, you should see a path going off to your left-hand side. Take the path, and follow as it leads you around the bottom of Thorpe Cloud.
9.
Eventually, you will reach the famous Dovedale stepping stones. Head across the river, crossing along the stones. As you reach the other side of the river, turn to your left-hand side, and follow the well-marked path along the edge of the river.
10.
After a short while, you will see a wooden bridge on your left-hand side, leading you back across the river. Cross over the bridge, and then follow the path going off to your right-hand side.
11.
Very shortly, you will see a path forking off to your right-hand side. Take the path and follow it carefully. You will pass a path going off your right, leading you into the next field. Do not take that path, instead carry on forward, keeping the stone wall on your right-hand side.
At times it can become a bit faint to follow! If you are unsure at all, please check the map!
12.
Eventually, you will meet up with another path, leading you back to the bottom of where you began your climb up Thorpe Cloud. Head back through the little gate on your right-hand side, and cross the pasture land, retracing your steps from earlier on in the walk. Continue retracing your steps back, until you arrive back at the car park, where you started the walk from.
Enjoyed this walk and would like to do another walk in the Peak District National Park, please check out some of my other walk guides:
For more information on the Peak District National Park, please visit their website:
https://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/
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