Limestone Way - Coldwall Bridge

AUTMN/WINTER PROGRAMME

We start our programme in 2025 venturing eastwards to the Peak District to follow the Limestone Way, a 46 mile/74 km waymarked route across the White Peak landscape of the Peak District National Park. The route passes through the dramatic dales and green rolling landscape of the Derbyshire Dales to Rocester on the banks of the River Dove in Staffordshire, passing through several picturesque villages and taking in spectacular scenery and views along the way.

Limestone Way Leg 4. For logistical reasons, we are again walking this leg in reverse, finishing in the small village of Thorpe, close to the famous Dovestones Stepping Stones and limestone outcrop of Thorpe Cloud.
A WALK: Rocester to Thorpe: 11 miles, 1500 ft ascent.
We start our walk at Dalesgap, Staffordshire, just North of the official beginning/end of the Limestone Way in the former Roman settlement of Rocester. There is a short descent across fields to the River Dove, which we follow until the lovely bridge on the outskirts of Ellastone. The route then covers beautiful rolling landscapes, with an initial section following the higher slopes above Ordley Brook. After a careful crossing of the A515 Ashbourne Rd., we follow a track and then more rolling descents and ascents before we reach the fine 18th century Coldwall Bridge, which spans the River Dove and where we cross into Staffordshire. The route then turns along the riverbank for a short while, and then again to head into the foot of picturesque Dovedale. Opposite the large NT car park, we circumnavigate the southern slopes of Thorpe Cloud, an isolated limestone rocky outcrop, climbing gradually. Weather permitting, we will make a short and sharp detour to the summit for its wonderful panoramic views before continuing over fields into Thorpe.

WALK A Link to OS map

WALK B: Ellastone to Thorpe Option 1: 8.5 miles, 1400 ft ascent. Option 2: 7 miles: 1164 ft ascent.
From the drop off point in the village of Ellastone, there is a short path which crosses a small brook to join the Limestone Way on the outskirts of Calwich Park. The route then follows the Limestone Way as described for the A's above. At Coldwall Bridge, there are two options. The first option follows that of the A into Dovedale, including the ascent of Thorpe Cloud (although it is possible to miss this short detour out and wait for the group to return). The second option, is to head straight from Coldwall Bridge up the track and along the road into the village of Thorpe and our destination pub. This reduces the mileage and the ascent.

WALK B Link to OS map

WALK C: A leisurely paced 5/6 mile walk with minimal ascent and descent. Details to be confirmed.

In the unlikely event of separation from the group or other emergency please take note of the following contact numbers:

Liz Moxham - 07876255849
Frank Jones - 07788736006