Dovedale Stepping Stones Walk: Visiting Guide (2024)

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Dovedale, along with its famous stepping stones, has been a favourite spot for visitors in the Peak District for hundreds of years – and it’s not hard to understand why.

This beautiful area boasts a magical valley filled with ancient caves, high hills, and a meandering river that invites exploration, making it an enticing destination.

Let’s dive into everything you should know before you visit!

Getting to Dovedale 

Reaching Dovedale and the stepping stones is most convenient by car. There’s a primary car park situated close by, with just a short stroll on a well-kept path to your destination.

As far as I’m aware, there currently aren’t any public transport options available to get to the Dovedale area.

The closest postcode for Dovedale stepping stones is DE6 2AY.

Parking around Dovedale

The Dovedale National Trust Car Park is the best and closest place to park for the stepping stones.

You can also find free parking in the nearby village of Thorpe (at Narlow Lane Car Park) and in Ilam, but remember, parking here means you’ll have a longer walk.

Dovedale Valley is a popular place in the Peak District, so finding a parking spot can be tricky. It’s a good idea to arrive early or later in the afternoon, especially during the summer holidays, to increase your chances of getting a space.

Dovedale National Trust Car Park (Paid)

• Address: Dovedale Ave, Ashbourne DE6
• Cost: £5 for 4 Hours, £7 for all day, Free for NT Members

If your main goal is to visit the stepping stones, a four-hour stay should be enough. But if you plan to walk the full length of the River Dove and explore local attractions, consider paying for a full day.

The car park has plenty of spaces and even an overflow area, which is manned during peak times.

The car park has limited facilities, but on busy days, you’ll often find an ice cream and coffee truck. There are public toilets available, but they charge 20p per use, accessed through a turnstile.

For those interested in doing the walk in reverse, parking at Milldale, located at the other end of the valley, is also an option.

Dovedale Walking Map & Route

The walk takes you along the river, quickly bringing you to the stepping stones. From there, the path follows the river, passing by well-known landmarks in the Dovedale Valley, until you arrive at the village of Milldale.

View OS Map Online

Which hiking map app should I use?  I recommend OS Maps Online for its unparalleled accuracy. However, if you’re a beginner, you might find AllTrails to be more user-friendly. For a detailed review of the best UK map apps, read my full review.

On this walk, as shown in the image above, there are several well-known landmarks, each at a different distance from the main car park:

1. Thorpe Cloud: A 287m high hill offering breathtaking views of the Dovedale Valley | ~30 mins – 1.4km (0.85mi)
2. The Stepping Stones: Manmade stones from the Victorian era, providing an exciting way to cross the River Dove | ~10 mins – 0.6km (0.40mi)
3. Lovers Leap: A notable platform with a story of a woman who leapt in distress but was saved by the undergrowth below | ~25 mins – 1.5km (0.9mi)
4. Reynard’s Cave: A striking cave entrance where ancient artefacts have been discovered | ~35 mins – 2.2km (1.37 mi)
5. Ilam Rock & the Twelve Apostles: Impressive limestone formations along the river | ~50 mins – 2.9km (1.8mi)
6. Dove Holes: Another smaller cave, named after the Saxon word “dubh” | ~1hr – 3.4km (2.1mi)
7. Milldale: A charming village, perfect for refreshments before heading back | ~1.2hr – 4.8km (3mi)

*Remember, these distances and times are one-way, so double them for a round trip.

The terrain and paths make it hard to do a circular walk in this area, so you’ll have to retrace your steps unless you’re up for a big detour.

This also means you can choose how far you want to go, whether it’s a short 20-minute walk to the stepping stones or a longer few-hour journey.

 Dovedale Stepping Stones Walk Step by Step – 9.7 km (6mi) ~ 2-3 hrs

1. From Dovedale Car Park, start your walk by passing the toilet block and following the tarmac road.

2. Soon, you’ll see a footbridge on your right. Ignore this and continue on the left-hand tarmac path, which runs next to the river.

IF WATER LEVELS ARE HIGH: Before starting, check the River Dove from the car park. Heavy rainfall might flood the area, covering the stepping stones. Ask returning hikers about the path’s condition. If there’s flooding, use the footbridge and path on the right side of the river – if this path is also flooded, detour behind Thorpe Cloud to bypass the stepping stones.

3. Reach the stepping stones and cross to the opposite side of the river.

4. After crossing, go through the gate and keep following the river.

5. Soon, you’ll come to a staircase leading up to Lover’s Leap.

Fact: Lover’s Leap is named after a story where a heartbroken woman jumped from the top but was saved by bushes below.

6. Go down the stairs on the other side and continue along the river.

7. Pass through another gate, and keep going. You’ll eventually reach Reynard’s Cave. If you want to explore, take the path on the right.

Exact cave entrance location: ///spearhead.spent.table

Note: Be careful on this steep and possibly slippery path, especially when it’s wet. Don’t forget to stop and enjoy the view from the top.

8. Continue on the river path; you’ll soon come to a boardwalk section to follow.

9. After the boardwalk, you’ll enter a clearing with a bridge crossing the river and Ilam Rock above.

10. Stay on the right-hand side of the river and pass through the gate. Soon, you’ll get to Dove Holes cave. Go inside to take a look if you’d like.

11. Now, you’re on the final stretch. Continue along the path by the river until you reach Milldale, where you’ll cross Viator Bridge into the village.

Enjoy Milldale and head back the same way to Dovedale National Trust car park.

For those wanting a longer walk, it’s possible to go all the way to Thor’s Cave!

Local Amenities & Facilities

Around the Dovedale stepping stones, the facilities are quite basic, so it’s wise to bring everything you might need.

The National Trust car park at Dovedale has picnic benches and often features an ice cream van or coffee truck on busy days. There’s also a public toilet, but it costs 20p to use.

For a nearby pub, The Old Dog in Thorpe is a fantastic choice. Open for food from noon, Wednesday to Sunday, it serves burgers, sandwiches, and classic pub fare. The pub has a lovely atmosphere and plenty of outdoor seating.

For more facilities, Ashbourne is the closest town, only a 10-minute drive away, with a broader selection of amenities.

History & Significance of Dovedale

Dovedale, in the Peak District National Park, is a beautiful valley known for its natural beauty and long history. 

Owned by the National Trust, the valley stretches over 3 miles and attracts a million visitors each year. 

The valley’s landscape is made of limestone from about 350 million years ago, during the Carboniferous period. Ice ages have shaped this limestone into unique forms, leading to striking landscapes and caves like Dove Holes and Reynard’s Kitchen Cave.

People have been in Dovedale since around 13,000 BCE. Early hunters used the caves for shelter, and later, around 4,500 years ago, farmers used them as tombs.

There’s evidence of Viking history in the area, seen in local place names. In medieval times, goods like silks and flax were transported across Viator’s Bridge. Tourism started in the 18th century, making Dovedale well-known.

In 2014, the discovery of Late Iron Age and Roman coins in Reynard’s Kitchen Cave highlighted the area’s historical importance. (These can be viewed in Buxton Museum).

In 2006, Dovedale was named a National Nature Reserve for its wildlife, plants, and rock formations. 

At the south end of Dovedale, Thorpe Cloud, a striking limestone hill, provides fantastic views of the area. This hill and Bunster Hill opposite were bought by the National Trust in 1934.

Dovedale’s limestone landmarks also include Lover’s Leap, with steps made by Italian prisoners of war in World War II. There’s a story about Lover’s Leap where a woman’s skirt caught on branches, saving her when she jumped, thinking her lover had died in the Napoleonic Wars.

Ilam Hall & Park

Ilam Hall, just a short walk from Dovedale, is a historic Victorian building managed by the National Trust. Originally built in the 1820s with a Neo-Gothic design, it has been partly preserved and now hosts a youth hostel – rated one of the best in the Peak District.

Despite some modernization, its grand staircase and ornate ceilings reflect its past. Surrounded by the scenic Ilam Park, the hall is a blend of architectural charm and natural beauty.

Dovedale Stepping Stones – FAQs

Just to double-check, are you looking for the right place? Dovedale is often mistaken with Dovestone (Reservoir)