Short walk to Cheedale and back

From the car park, follow the rough track along side the river below the A6 as it rises on your right. Soon you will pass beneath a railway bridge. Take care as you go around these corners, since they are blind spots for the motorists who use this to get to their housing further along this track. This whole area is one of great beauty.

Mixed deciduous woodland reaches upwards on your right, and also along either side of the river's edge. Here, you may be fortunate to see one of our lovely wading birds, the Dipper. They stand on stones in the water with their characteristic bobbing motion, though slightly larger than the Wagtails, these brown birds have a white throat and dive to search for insects and larvae under the stones on the bottom of the river.

The flora is rich and diverse all along this walk, the woods are full of Ramsons, which smell of garlic when brushed, and carpet the ground during the early summer.

Continuing, the walker will soon reach the second railway bridge that spans the river. Passing under this and continuing along the track, the woodland rises steeply on your right. Many wild birds and flowers can be seen here, including Mallard on the river itself. The sounds of the Wood Warbler can be heard, along with the chattering of members of the Tit family.

Watch out for the Tree Creeper as it walks down the branches of trees. The flora includes Sweet Woodruff, Herb Robert and Bluebell among the many species. After a while and just before the track bends to go under yet another railway bridge, ahead you will see a pathway that will take you upwards and onto the Monsal Dale Trail. It's at this point that you have a choice to make. Continue along the riverside for the outward walk and return by the Monsal Dale Trail (Old railway track). Or climb the slope and go via the trail from here on, returning via the riverside walk. Each has its own perspective regarding the scenery along this walk.

For our description, we shall take you via the riverside and return by the trail.

Follow the path, the sight and sounds of the river Wye will be your companion from here on. The Dipper can still be seen in the shallow parts of the river, whilst on the rocks and scree that spills down from the railway, you may be fortunate to spot the common Lizard. Butterflies also abound.

The common Blue, Peacock, Wall Brown and small Copper are all seen flitting from flower to flower, or sunning themselves on the bare rock. Amongst the flora there is Hedge Mustard, White Dead-nettle, Hawkweeds, Wild Roses, Water Crowfoot and Angelica. Here you will see and hear Brown and Rainbow Trout, as they take insects from the surface of the water, on their way up stream. High above the valley, Crows can be seen and heard as they call each other, sometimes squabbling for one reason or another.

The walk soon passes beneath the railway twice more, before joining a quarter of a mile stretch beside the river itself. Look out for climbers on the Limestone buttresses that rise up from the far side of the river. From here on we are entering the terrain of the many rock climbers who come from all over Britain to test their strength and experience against nature.

After a while, the path becomes closed in by the surrounding hillsides, scree banks and overhanging cliffs. When the footbridge is reached, cross over this and the path inclines upwards. Keeping to the lower path, follow it around with the river and under the railway bridge, where once again, you will have to cross over to the other bank of the river. From here onwards, the path follows a series of stepping stones. These are impassable in very wet weather when the level of the river is much higher than normal.

Please bear it in mind that the undulating path, between this point and the Wormhill springs, can be extremely muddy during wet spells, becoming very slippery in places.

The sunlight filters its dappled light through the overhanging trees, whilst bees flit here and there from one flower to another. The sound of water as it tumbles over stones and boulders reaches one's ears, as does the call of the many types of bird which nest in these lovely surroundings.

Before reaching the junction with Flag Dale, which opens out to the left of your path after a short distance, you will have to climb a short way over a low rock face that seemingly bars your way. However, there are well worn steps to help you continue your journey. In a few yards, the path dips towards the entrance to Flag Dale. Bearing to the left, follow it until you're able to cross a small stream which marks the presence of the Wormhill Springs.

This is the end of this walk, whereby we retrace our steps back to the stepping stones and the bridge across the river. However, for those who would prefer a longer walk, they may continue down river and head towards Miller's Dale which is about 1 mile away. There is the choice to visit Wormhill to the north in walking a little further down stream until the signposted path on your left can be taken. If you cross the bridge at this point, you can always make the steep climb ahead of you and visit the Romano-British settlement at the top of Chee Tor.