tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post8644497234966089974..comments2024-03-28T11:16:38.801+00:00Comments on SWC - This Week's Walks: Saturday Walk - Dovedale (Ashbourne Circular): A long day but…the Peak District's most famous daleAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11395064086819994526noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-89389477053084865662019-06-17T15:08:54.938+01:002019-06-17T15:08:54.938+01:00As an independent view, I would add that the walk ...As an independent view, I would add that the walk route is really fantastic! You quickly slip out into the countryside on a footpath through a very long Victorian former train tunnel..almost a portal into another world and fairly quickly gain some height to enjoy views far and wide...the terrain is beautiful -- even in less than ideal weather conditions -- lush green hills with steep sides leading into narrow valleys with occasional distinct hilltops and rocky crags, adding a bit of drama to the scene...A real highlight of the extension is a route through the very narrow Hall Dale..really almost a hidden chasm... <br /><br />I would also add, in terms of travel logistics, although a long travel day, the overall travel time is similar to that required for some of the Dorset walks...Stargazerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06207931214700279104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-29309074326217035382019-06-16T11:29:48.278+01:002019-06-16T11:29:48.278+01:002 took the 08.02 train with the comfortable connec...2 took the 08.02 train with the comfortable connection to the bus in Derby, 8 others the 08.31 with the tight connection. Thankfully the train arrived on time, walkers were at the ready to route march to the bus station and we got there a minute and a half before scheduled bus departure. Enquiries were made about cheap group return tickets and good bargains are indeed available for groups of 2 and 5. The earlier walkers waited in Ashbourne for the second group, so that n=10 set off for a day of w=all-kinds-of-weather (ok: no snow or sleet, thankfully).<br />Others may want to comment on the pleasures of the walk route (I think it's a very fine one), so just for the 'admin' aspects from the walk author's perspective: some mud and plenty splippery surfaces after heavy recent rain, making for an overall slow average pace for summer; the Dove quite full and fast, but below the level it can have (i.e. the Stepping Stones were still walkable); 5 opted for the main 20 km walk, with lunch/picnic at/near the Izaak Walton; 5 went long, missed the kitchen cutoff time at the Watts Russell Arms by a minute (no mercy shown there, shame really as the menu looked highly interesting; next time: call ahead), so settled for drink and crisps, then had a second stop at Polly's Cottage 30 minutes further along for takeout sausage rolls, tea, choc etc. <br />The two periods of heavy rain (an hour after lunch and 45 mins right at the end for the long walkers) were interupted by blue skies and warm sun, while the morning had been mildly overcast with some drizzle. The route along the Dove was practically deserted of people in the afternoon when we walked it, compared to how busy it can be and was in the morning, judging by how full the car parks were then, confirming the route choice of going clockwise as correct. <br />We got back to Ashbourne around 18.15, where the main walk folk were already queuing up at the bus station for the 18.30. Back in Derby, most had tickets for the 19.31 train, which then was so delayed that the 20.04 was taken instead. 2 others had Advance Tickets for the 21.01 so spent some time at The Brunswick Inn 3 minutes from the station, CAMRA Pub Of The Year repeatedly but also with surprisingly good food. <br />All in, all controllable elements worked out fine. A very good day. Thomas Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01298846868417688062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-57074012819738170972019-06-12T19:01:14.776+01:002019-06-12T19:01:14.776+01:00Intend going.Intend going.DAChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11248487802952116209noreply@blogger.com