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Rural Ramble 4: Miller's Dale To Chelmorton Circular
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| Distance: 9.5 miles |
Duration: 4.5 to 6 hours |
Price: £20.00 per person
(Group and family rates available) |
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One of the longest of our "Rural Rambles", this circular walk starts and ends at the site of the former Miller's Dale Station. The walk begins by following the route of the old Derby to Manchester railway along the Monsal Trail, stopping along the way to look at the remains of the lime industry that once provided employment for so many in the area.
Having passed through the rugged scenery of Chee Dale, it then leaves the Monsal Trail to follow the River Wye along a tranquil riverside path before climbing up through little-used rugged but beautiful Dales to the hilltop above. From there, it heads to the small village of Chelmorton which, at 1,200 feet above sea level, claims to be the highest village in Derbyshire and is surrounded by a network of rare surviving Medieval fields. Leaving Chelmorton, it climbs to the summit of the walk at over 1,400 feet to visit the Five Wells Neolithic chambered tomb before dropping back down into the valley for the return to the starting point at Miller's Dale Station.
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With excellent parking at Miller's Dale Station, this walk is an ideal day out for those looking for things to do in and around Buxton. It is even accessible by a direct bus from Sheffield, making it a possible choice for a day out from there too.
This walk will usually take around 5.5 hours including a 30-minute lunch break, which the more adventurous can take in a cave high on the valley side overlooking Deep Dale. The start and end point at Miller's Dale Station is accessible by public transport, but if you wish to make a private booking for this walk, it is possible to arrange an alternative start and end point along the route. Although available anytime, this walk is especially recommended for the April to June period, when the Dales put on a wonderful springtime display of native wild flowers.
Due to the very rugged and rocky nature of the path through Deep Dale, this walk is definitely one for the more experienced walker, and sturdy footware is essential. The exposed nature of the terrain around Five Wells also makes good outdoor clothing (both water- and wind-proof) essential as a precaution.
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| Distance: |
9.5 miles. |
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| Duration (approx): |
4.5 to 6 hours (including lunch). |
| Start point: |
Miller's Dale Station,
Miller's Dale,
Derbyshire.* |
| Start time: |
10:30am.** |
| End point: |
Miller's Dale Station,
Miller's Dale,
Derbyshire.* |
| Dates available: |
Due to the temporary closure of Chelmorton Footpath 37 at Topley Pike, all bookings for this walk have been suspended until further notice.
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(* - Alternative start and finish points available for private bookings. ** - 9:30am or later start time available for a weekday or Saturday private walk starting from the Waterloo Hotel public house, or 10:30am for a Sunday or Bank Holiday. 10:00am weekday/Saturday or 11:00am for Sunday/Bank Holiday walks starting at The Church Inn, Chelmorton.)
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When is this walk available?
Due to the temporary closure of Chelmorton Footpath 37, which provides access to the bottom end of Deep Dale, and the lack of any suitable diversionary route, we have been forced to suspend accepting bookings for this walk. The closure of the footpath, which has been made necessary by restoration work to the old tip area adjoining Topley Pike Quarry, may possibly last until the end of 2026, although it is possible the work could be completed before then. Therefore we cannot accept any bookings for this walk for the foreseeable future, until it has been confirmed that the work has been completed and the footpath restored.
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Prices.
The following prices apply for this walk:
| Ticket |
Price |
Deposit
(Included in overall price) |
Adult or Child aged 16 and over
(Up to 8 people in group)
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£20.00 per person |
£5.00 per person |
Personal Walking Guide
(Group of up to 5)
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£60.00 per group |
£15.00 per group |
Personal Walking Guide
(Group of 6 to 10)
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£100.00 per group |
£25.00 per group |
Personal Walking Guide
(Group of 11 or more)
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£150.00 per group |
£37.50 per group |
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Reduced rates for under-16s, plus discounted family tickets also available, giving cheaper prices for groups including children aged 15 and under. Please e-mail us for details and to book.
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Travel to and from the walk.
By far the easiest way to get to this walk, and the method we recommend in most cases, is by car. Pay-and-display parking for up to 80 cars is available at Miller's Dale Station. If you do need to use public transport, the latest information on buses and trains to and from this walk can be found on our travel information page.
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Is there anything special I need to bring?
Given the nature of this walk, a good pair of walking boots is essential. As the weather can be quite variable and there is little shelter along the route, it is important to also have a good set of waterproof clothing. As the walk takes place in all weathers, and the section around Chelmorton is very exposed, you may need warm clothing too. It is also recommended that you bring sufficient food and water with you, as there are few opportunities to purchase either along the route of the walk.
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Are there any disabled access issues?
Unfortunately, this walk is not suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters due to the terrain involved. Additionally, due to the rough and rocky nature of the path through Deep Dale, this walk may also not be suitable for those who have difficulty in walking over uneven surfaces. If you have any concerns about accessibility for this walk, please contact us to discuss the matter prior to booking.
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Is this walk suitable for dogs?
Yes, this walk is suitable for dogs. However, we do ask that you keep your dog under close control on a short lead at all times. This is especially important on the section of the walk between leaving the Monsal Trail and entering the village of Chelmorton, as the route of the walk passes through both nature reserves and fields where there may be livestock present. If you wish to bring your dog with you, please notify us beforehand.
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Booking
You can book places on any of our scheduled walks via the PayPal button below. Other payment options are available on request - Please e-mail us for details if required.
If you wish to make a Personal Walking Guide booking for this walk, please see our Personal Walking Guide booking page here.
Bookings for scheduled walks can be made at any time up to 48 hours before the intended date of your walk, or up to 72 hours beforehand for Personal Walking Guides. We regret that we cannot accept bookings made less than 48 hours prior to the planned start time of the walk (72 hours for Personal Walking Guide bookings).
Please ensure before booking that the date you require is not listed below and on our online calendar as unavailable or fully booked, and that you have read and agree to our terms and conditions.
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Personal Walking Guide Availability - Miller's Dale to Chelmorton Circular
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| Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
Bank Holidays |
| Yes |
Some* |
Yes |
Some* |
Yes |
Most* |
Some* |
Most* |
| * = Please contact us for details of availability |
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Book a place on this walk
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Latest booking news
- Due to the closure of Chelmorton Footpath 37, this walk has been temporarily suspended and we are unable to accept any bookings for it at this time.
- We are accepting advance enquiries for March to November 2025, but cannot currently guarantee availability.
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Important: Before booking, please make sure that the date you wish to book is not listed as already being fully booked in the "Latest booking news" section above.
Please select the number of places you would like to book and enter the date required.
Other payment options are available on request - Please e-mail us for details if required.
By placing a booking with us, you are accepting and agreeing to our terms and conditions.
If you encounter any problems with your booking, or have any questions about this walk, please e-mail us.
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