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Main Instructor:

Click to View: WALX Derwent and Dales Instructor Page

Hosted By:

Sam Armstrong

Walk Description:

Starting and ending at The Dog in Thorpe, this circular walk quickly immerses you in the gentle beauty of the White Peak. The path climbs onto the Limestone Way, a centuries-old trail that winds through fields edged with dry-stone walls and dotted with grazing sheep. Soon you reach the quiet village of Blore, where stone cottages huddle against the hillside and wide skies open over the Dove Valley. The route carries on to Upper Musden, where you can pause to admire far-reaching views that seem to stretch forever, before turning towards Rushley and descending towards Ilam. As the valley opens out, the scenery becomes more dramatic: limestone slopes, wooded dells, and the graceful curves of the River Dove. Ilam itself is a delight, with its parkland setting, striking Hall, and alpine-style cottages that seem almost out of place yet utterly charming.

The return path skirts west of Thorpe Cloud, the great limestone sentinel of Dovedale. Its sheer sides rise above the river, catching the light and shadow as the day moves on. Here, the White Peak feels at its most timeless: a landscape shaped by water and stone, yet still alive with wildflowers, bird song, and the steady rhythm of rural life. The walk ends back in Thorpe, where The Dog offers a well-earned place to rest and refresh. This route captures the very essence of the Peak District in a single day’s walking.

We intend to eat at the pub. Please inform Sam if you are not staying, otherwise she will book you in for lunch. 

Distance: 12.5km/ 8 miles

Gradients:  Ascent 456 m

Duration: Approx. 4 hours

Grade: Moderate

Location: White Peak, Peak District National Park

Start/Finish: The Dog, Thorpe

You are asked to contact your WALX Guide by phone, leaving a voicemail or sending an SMS text to the number listed below, if you are likely to be delayed. Whilst we do understand that sometimes it is not possible to make a class, please be aware that we do operate a no refund policy if you give us less than 12 hours’ notice. 

Location Notes:

A voluntary donation of £1 is suggested if parking on a Tuesday as the pub is closed.