Litton loop – our last hike

Limestone cliffs at the start of Miller’s Dale from Cressbrook Dale

We decided to ‘improve’ our planned walk in the Litton area. On Wednesday we did a recce from Monsal Heads up to Litton and neither of us were happy with a section through the woods which was very overgrown, and I felt there was a bit too much road walking for a top quality walk. 

Today we parked in Litton, just round from the pub after first visiting the nearby Tideswell Dale carpark to grab a coffee from the pop up stall there and avail ourselves of the facilities. Good to do this as we saw there was a footpath from here to Litton so we would not have to walk on the road, something I was a bit concerned about.

Bought a KitKat from the village shop to get us going, and then made our way down Tansley Dale into Cressbrook Dale. Very enjoyable in the cool of the morning with a slight breeze. Came across a concerned teacher who was searching for a ‘lost’ group of girls doing their Bronze DoE badge. The groups are not allowed phones so they have to navigate in a traditional way, however it does make it more challenging to find them if they take a wrong turn.

At Cressbrook we diverted from the route we took earlier in the week and turned into Miller’s Dale which runs along a section of the River Wye. This was a beautiful section. We enjoyed:

• Watching some climbers on the limestone cliffs along the river. Tricky overhangs to navigate
• Seeing an iron waterwheel structure, somewhat obscured by weeds and marginals in a small channel by the side of the river. This was similar, but more complete, than what we saw where we had lunch on the Lathkill Dale hike.
• Our morning coffee stop and jam and cheese sarnie made from the last of the bread (crusts) with an apple to complement our feast
• The flow of the river along the two big meanders, some wider sections, dappled sunshine, shaded by the large trees and then open areas where we could look at the scenery. Really peaceful.
• Stopping for lunch at Litton Mill. We said hello to a family setting out their picnic on a shady wall, where we were also stopping. Delightful lady then came over for a chat with a platter of watermelon and offered us some. They were enjoying the cool of the shade whilst having a break from helping their son-in-law renovate Rose Cottage opposite. Possibly a future holiday rental for us? 

When we got to the crossroad to Litton the footpath continued for a bit but ended just as we reached the outskirts of the village. Didint fancy walking on the road so we headed up a footpath into the fields behind. A short steep section, but it was worth it to enjoy the views and the remainder of our walk.