Looking across towards Ecton Hill just after we take the footpath out of Hartington.

Ahead of us Narrowdale Hill, we are heading for the Morson Wood in front of it.

The footpath down to Beresford Dale from Hartington is very busy.

One or two of the dogs were being a bit of a nuisance so we let them and their owners get ahead of us, passing the time taking some shots of the typical dales scenery.

We were quite relieved to finally reach Morson Wood as the sun had started to thaw the ground across the fields and they were getting very slippery as the mud stuck to the soles of our boots making them ineffective. There was much banging of heels against stones in order to try and dislodge the mud prior to reaching here.

A sudden quiet stretch as we entered Beresford Dale.

Crossing the River Dove just before we reach Pike Pool.

Now we are in Beresford Dale there are a lot more people about.

Looking back to the distinctive rock at Pike Pool.

Having crossed back over the River Dove Wolfscote Dale comes into view.

Walking through this section of the walk was quite interesting as I have never seen so many people constantly referring to their phones to work out the route, all of them reading out walk descriptions rather than looking at maps.

The caves at the entrance to Wolfscote Dale were busy and judging by the lady we saw slipping all over the place tricky to walk up to today.

Walking through Wolfscote Dale which no matter how hard I try to like it I still consider one of the less interesting places in the Peak District.

We didn't see as many people as I expected along this section of the walk, maybe they were only going as far as the caves and then turning around.

Approaching Peasland Rocks and the ground is still frozen here so there is no need to dodge the mud.

One day I will do this walk in the opposite direction and later in the day, in the hope of getting a good shot of these rocks.

We will soon be at Biggin Dale and the one question we have is how bad will the entrance to the dale be?

As we expected the entrance to Biggin Dale was flooded, but not as bad as we have seen it at this time of year.

There is plenty of water in the stream coming down Biggin Dale today and on more than one occasion we had to walk through the stream.

Despite all the water the walk up here was delightful in the sun, although I have never seen as many people in this dale as I did today.

By now thoughts were turning to lunch but trying to find a dry spot in the sun, that wasn't already taken, was proving hard to do.

At the gate where you cross to the other side of the wall we had to wade through the stream but then sat in the sunshine watching everyone else walk on the opposite side of the wall. When we got to the top of the dale it appeared that a new gate had been added since we last walked here meaning it is no longer necessary to cross over.

Looking towards Dalehead from the top of Biggin Dale.

When everyone else headed uphill, towards Reynards Lane, we decided to stick to the bottom of the dale and follow it to Dale End.

Heading through here we had the place to ourselves.

Climbing up from Dale End along Highfield Lane and looking across towards Heathcote.

Looking towards Aleck Low from Highfield Lane.

Reaching the top of Highfield Lane and the view as we start the descent into Hartington includes many of the hills which form part of the Leaden Boot Challenge, which I hope to complete in May.

As we descend the sun lights up the hills in the Upper Dove and Parkhouse Hill stands out quite clearly.

A final shot of Sheen Hill before we drop down into Hartington and the views of the surrounding hills are lost.

 

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