Ultimate White Peaks Trip: March 7th-10th
Regular price
£120.00
The White Peaks
Day 1: Thor’s Cave & The Manifold Way
Day 2: The Dragon’s Back
Day 3: The Roaches via Lud’s Church & Hen Cloud
Day 4: Dovedale to Milldale
The southern limestone area of the Peak District is much softer in appearance with a more gentle feel than the harsh northern gritstone area of the Dark Peaks. We set out on this weekend to discover 4 of the most extraordinary places this beautiful area has to offer.
Friday: Thor's Cave Adventure
via the Manifold Way
Hidden away amongst the magnificent rolling hills of the White Peak, this natural cavern, is set in a steep limestone crag. It's legend and name link it to the Norse God, Thor. It's entrance fittingly boasts a huge arch that frames fabulous scenery out over the national park - the gateway you would expect to the home of a hammer-wielding god, associated with thunder, lightening and fertility.
The sleepy village of Wetton sends us up and out on our adventure to take in stunning hill views over the Manifold Valley, before dropping down to follow the river along the disused railway that now forms the Manifold Way.
The Details:
Total Ascent: 509m; 1670ft
Saturday: Dragon's Back
Parkhouse, Hollins & Chrome Hills
Set in the upper Dove valley, surrounded by magnificent views, these extraordinary shaped limestone hills, known as reef knolls, jut up steeply from the ground forming a narrow ridge. Together they combine to produce an invigorating walk known as The Dragon's Back ridge.
Believed to have existed during the Carboniferous period, when the Peak District was covered by tropical sea, this area of hills has been designated an SSSI, cited for significant exposures of Gigantoproductus fossils and the presences of rare limestone flora. Meaning it is an offence for visitors to remove geological samples.
For many years access was difficult, as there were no rights to the summits. Access is now possible under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, as the hills are designated access area.
The Details:
Sunday: The Roaches
via Lud's Church & Hen Cloud
The Roaches is a rocky ridge gritstone escarpment in the Peak District National Park, and this walk takes us above and below it, with an optional scramble thrown in. On our 10 mile trek, expect open moorlands, rolling hills, rocky outcrops and woodland forest trails, as we hike over Hen Cloud, above the Roaches and of course down below into the deep dramatic Lud’s Church chasm.
A wind-carved outcrop of gritstone rocks, the ridge reaches 505m and provides us with spectacular views over Staffordshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, and Wales. It is crowned by a the Doxey Pool, a small body of water, the legendary home to a mythical mermaid.
As we enter and stroll through the woodlands, suddenly the floor appears to open up via steep steps leading down into the rocky labyrinth that is Lud's Church. A mesmerising, mossy cavern nestled in the Back Forest of Staffordshire.
Lud’s Church was likely formed after the last glacial period; created by a landslip in the weak Roaches hillside grit. Hidden away from all except those who are looking for it, this magical place has the feel of a hidden mystical scene from days gone by, with moss and plant-life covering most of its surfaces. 18-metres deep and 100-metres long, the chasm is always cool, even in summer months, which adds to its otherworldly feel.
Lollards were the first worshipers to arrive, followers of religious reformer John Wycliffe, a pre-protestant Christian group, who rejected Catholicism, so were prosecuted as heretics. Forced into hiding, they found refuge in Lud’s Church during the 15th Century. The tranquil, hidden chasm being perfect for worshiping in peace. The name ‘Lud’ possibly derived from Llud, a Celtic god, but more likely from Walter de Lud Auk, a Lollard worshiper, who was captured during a raid of Lud’s Church. His daughter Alice, was killed during the arrest and her ghost is said to haunt the chasm. This legend was commemorated in 1862, when a small figurine was placed above Lud’s Church by landowner, Phillip Broklehurst, in remembrance of "Lady Lud" as Alice became known.
This entrance to a world of mysterious fairy tales, this place features heavily in local folklore, from how Lud’s Church was created by the Devil scraping his finger along the earth’s surface. To the later stories of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck hiding here, as it was said did Bonnie Prince Charlie. Thought also to be the inspiration behind the "The Greene Chapel in the mysterious Medieval poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight".
The Details:
Total Ascent: 455m; 1493ft
Monday: Dovedale to Milldale
via Thorpe Cloud
Full of fantastic vistas, points of interest and pure tranquillity, passing through a towering limestone gorge, millions of years old, this Dovedale to Milldale trek takes in the best of Dovedale including the Dove Hole Caves, Ilam Rock, Lover’s Leap, Reynard’s Cave and the stepping stones.
First we scale Bunster Hill (329m) and Thorpe Cloud (287m), found at the head of Dovedale Valley, to take in fantastic views of the Peak District. We then descend towards the Dovedale Stepping Stones and tracking the River Dove to Lover’s Leap, before sharply ascending back to the gorge top. Along the way, we explore Dove Holes before reaching the pretty little village of Milldale.
From Milldale, we enjoy a flat return trail following along the edge of the river, stopping to enjoy Ilam Rock and Reynard’s Cave before reaching the famous Dovedale Stepping Stones, a series of 16 perfectly laid out stepping stones in the lush Dovedale Valley. The little stone platforms cut a path across the serene Dove River.
350 million years ago sea covered the Peak District, so the limestone in the area is made up of the fossilised remains of sea creatures that once lived here. During the last two ice ages, glacial meltwater cut the caverns, fissures and interesting rock formations we see today, leaving behind the deep Dovedale Valley.
The Details:
Total Ascent: 623m; 2044ft
Selecting Accommodation
Accommodation is available to book in shared houses with other members of the group and can be booked by selecting from the drop down menu near the top of this page.
You can book walks without any accommodation; book walks with your own single occupancy room; book walks with a room that you share with a partner friend or another member of the group. Booking a shared room relies on another person also making exactly the same booking in order that you have a roommate. Please let us know if you do have a particular person you would like to share with.
As the houses are reserved for the duration of our stay, it is unlikely we can accommodate anyone wanting to pay for a shorter period (might be worth checking with us by email/message). However, if you would prefer, please feel free to book your own accommodation and join us for the walks you would like to by selecting each one and adding them to your cart from the the drop-down menu.
The accommodation is self-catered, so no breakfast or other meals are included. However we hope everyone will join the group for dinner on at least one evening.
IMPORTANT INFO:
- A WHATSAPP group will be created to share info and photos on the day. In signing up to the event you are agreeing to be added to this group, which will contain other participants. This is necessary so that details can be shared in the run up to the event, including last minute changes, reminders or cancellations.
- Charity involvement: many of our walks are being run in partnership with charities. As such, sign up information is shared with the charity involved for the purpose of running the event and communicating its purpose, which is to help raise awareness and funds for the charity. By signing up, you are agreeing to receive information from Get Outdoors and the charity.
- Booking Terms & Conditions (Including cancellation policy): are found here. PLEASE READ BEFORE MAKING A BOOKING.
- Kit: Packed lunches, walking boots, multiple layers and waterproofs (including trousers!) are essential. The weather could be very cold and wet. Please visit our recommended kit list.
- While on the walk: we ask you to remain with the group and following instructions from Get Outdoors leader(s), who have the final decision in all instances.
- Parking Charges: may apply. Good idea to bring cash/change.
- Problems: on the day call Chris: 07885157903
- Dogs: are welcome on the walks, but are entirely the owner's responsibility, must have a lead and be under close control at all times. Please check your accommodation's policy.
- Livestock: If encountered do not walk too close or get between a cow and calf. If threatened, let go of your dog so it can escape and reduce the risk to yourself.
- Public rights of way: please keep to them and respect the landowner’s property at all times.
- Stiles: are often present on the route to negotiate (with your dog if you bring one) on this type of walk.
- Countryside walking: can often include hills and uneven terrain. Our group ethos is to support everyone in group to achieve their maximum potential in terms of completing the route. As such, we endeavour to walk at a pace all participants are comfortable with. We apologise if this causes any frustration to fitter walkers.
- Health: please consult your doctor if you are at all worried about your fitness and ability to take part. Please inform the walk leaders, Get Outdoors, of any underlying health conditions that may affect your walking ability before signing.
Health & Safety Application Form:
If you have not already (or if circumstances have changed), please complete the participant health & safety form at this link, so we know how best to look after you.
Future Walk Info:
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Join us for a hike in beautiful places like the Brecon Beacons, Cotswolds, Malverns, Chilterns, Oxford...
Perfect way to start your training for a challenge like the 3 Peaks or simply to get out into the countryside, while being sociable.