Deep Dale and Monsal Dale, Derbyshire, starting at Ashford in the Water.

Start point: Fennel Street car park off Vicarage Lane (SK194697 – nearest postcodes: DE45 1QF Fennel Street and DE45 1QN Vicarage Lane).

(Please note that there is an honesty box for parking and use of toilets – £2 per person is recommended donation for parking and 20p for use of toilets.

There is a similar arrangement at Monsal Head – where we will stop for the view, however, when I did the recce last week, maintenance work was ongoing and those toilets were closed.

Start Time: 10am
Ashford can get busy on a Sunday, so I do recommend early arrival for parking.  There are other places to park, but we will meet in the car park mentioned above.

Approx 8 miles with a few steep climbs here and there – fitness level is described as ‘moderate’ though. (Could also be a very short scramble over rocks at Demon’s Dell, depending on how much rainfall there has been). 

There is one very steep climb – it’s a grassy bank though, so not at all dangerous.  I – for one – will be taking regular stops to get my breath back, so don’t worry about the pace! Towards the end there is also a very steep descent, also grassy.

I am conscious that it is Father’s Day, and also quite a long drive, which is why I am requesting that you let me know if you will attend. I don’t want to be doing this on my own!

That is some beautiful scenery and fabulous views, so if you can get to the walk, I’m sure you will enjoy it!