Recommended map: The Peak District White Peak Area 1:25000, Outdoor Leisure 24

Click on image to return

This is a brilliant and varied walk in any conditions, boots are advised in wet or winter weather as the path under Chee Tor is usually muddy. It forms a logical extension to route 7 to give a cracking day out. Park at the Miller's dale PAD car park which can be found by leaving the main A6 by the Wormhill road. Pass under the old railway bridge, the car park is on the left at SK138733. From the car park follow the disused railway track west for about 800m to a bridge beloved by abseilers, take the steps on the right leading down to the river, Care. Turn right and walk in the upstream direction, passing various board walks and wetland protection sites. Don't take any major tracks to the right and eventually you will arrive at Wormhill Springs where the path deteriorates somewhat. Cross the springs and the small footbridge over what is sometimes a major resurgance and follow the path left as it climbs a little above the river. After some 100m it drops down to river level via some scrambly limestone 'steps'. Care, these can be very slippery in the wet. Once down follow the muddy track into the gorge, Chee Tor is on the left across the river, The Cornice on the right, both important rock climbing areas. After the muddy section the path descends again to the water's edge and follows a series of stepping stones. In very wet weather these become submerged. Cross the footbridge and follow a good path rightwards. Where another path joins acutely from the left there are two options.

1. Take the path on the left which leads to the disused railway track. From the bridge there are good views of Chee Tor. The rock on the right is called Dog's Dinner Buttress. Apart from climbers, not many people know that. Turn left and follow the railway track for about 1.2km through two tunnels, over a bridge and past some grand rock scenery. Eventually, the track enters a cutting and passes under a bridge. Just past the bridge is a stile on the left.  Or . .

2. Follow the track along the riverbank for about 1.4km to some cottages where another valley branches right. This is Great Rocks Dale, or what's left of it thanks to the quarries. Cross the footbridge and take the path up to the disused railway track. Opposite is a stile.

Cross the stile and walk up the dry valley for about 150m to a signpost and stile on the left. Cross this and zigzag up to another stile, there are good views of Chee Dale in between the zig and the zag. Cross the stile, follow the path along by the wall to another stile, cross this and the field to a third stile, cross this and turn right to a fourth stile left of a ruined barn. Cross this and head diagonally left to join a farm track that leads to Blackwell, a hamlet of farms and Cottage Farm campsite. Walk along the surfaced road past some very nice properties including Rainbows End and Rose Cottage - shades of Under Milk Wood. Cross the B6049 and continue in the same direction, signpost Priestcliffe, at the top of the hill continue right and at the cross road turn left to Priestcliffe village. Eventually you will reach the seat mentioned in walk 7.

Those undertaking the combined walk should transfer to the route 7 description at this point.

Turn left along a farm lane for 500m, at a bend (signpost) continue right, crossing fields and stiles to the head of a wood above Miller's Dale. Descend steeply through the woods to the valley floor via lots of steps. Care, the wooden edges can become slippery when wet. At the botton, turn right, continue to the huge viaduct over the A6, turn left across this and you are back in the car park. Allow 2.5 hours walking time.

Prticular interest. Superb scenery, old quarry artifacts, nature reserves, dippers, springs, Miller's Dale viaduct.