Lathkill Dale walk is one of the most beautiful Derbyshire Dales in the Peak District. If you love walking through the dales then this is an idyllic walk, with plenty of wildlife, dramatic limestone cliffs and a winding river through the dale.
The dale is a National Nature Reserve, home to many species, including Dippers and Water Voles. On the walk, you’ll notice signs asking you to respect the area and ensure you keep both yourself and dogs out of the River Lathkill, including the waterfall.
This 4-mile Lathkill Dale short waterfall walk starts from Monyash along a beautiful path to where the path splits. It’s a circular route then goes via the disused Ricklow Quarry and on a path above Lathkill Dale. As you walk along the edge, you’re treated a quieter path with spectacular views before descending into the dale itself.
A steep decline and you’re walking through Lathkill Dale next to the River Lathkill, a rocky path which winds through the dale, past a weir then on to a pretty waterfall. From here you can look up to the cliff edge you walked along at the start. And finally, you’re out back to the path to the car park.
Please note as the walk takes you along the higher cliff path it may not be suitable for children – for a child friendly route check out Peak District Kids.
Here you will find details on how to get to the start of the Lathkill Dale walk at Monyash, route information, parking options, map, GPX file, plus a detailed step by step guide of the walk.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve done this Lathkill Dale walk and what you think!
Lathkill Dale from Monyash
Walk information + GPX
Walk type: Short circular walk
Distance: 4.4 miles/7 km
Walk time: 2-3 hours
Total ascent: 312 m/1,023 ft
Highest point: 270 m/885 ft
Walk highlights: Views from above and below Lathkill Dale Nature Reserve, Waterfall on the River Lathkill
Trig points: 0
Ethels: 0
Stiles: 7
Lathkill Dale walk map
© Crown copyright and database rights (2024) OS 002572460
Click for online mapWalk start point
Start grid reference: SK 15735 66454
Car parking address: Lathkill Dale parking, Church St, Monyash, Bakewell, DE45 1JH – Google maps
This is a small village car park (donations accepted), enough space for about 4 cars, but on the road, there is a lay-by directly opposite, where most people park instead.
Public transport
The High Peak bus service did run bus 58 to Chatsworth House via Monyash, but it’s currently not running. Check here for the latest information.
Facilities on the walk
There are community toilets available at the start of the walk at Monyash; however, the majority of times I’ve done this hike they have been closed.
On the walk, there are no other facilities, but down the road, in the village, there’s a fab pub (Bulls Head, Monyash) and cafe (Old Smithy Tearooms) you can pop in after the walk.
Water on your walk – I recommend a filter water bottle for your Peak District walks, it saves you from carrying extra weight and you can fill up safely and drink water from the streams on your walk.
Other useful information
This Lathkill Dale walk includes a small section near cliff edges so may not be suitable for a walk with young children. (There’s a good distance between the path and the edge but I’ll let you decide!)
Also, please respect that Lathkill Dale is a Nature Reserve and has protected species therefore, please follow the signs and make sure both you and your dog stay out of the river.
Lathkill Dale is a popular place to visit so although the first part of the walk is quieter, the section through Lathkill Dale may be busier.
Planning a longer visit to the area? Why not stay at Lathkill Dale campsite, a lovely campsite within metres of the start of the walk!
Please keep the Peak District beautiful and take all rubbish home to dispose of. Picnics are very welcome but no disposal BBQs due to high fire risk. Thanks
Peak District weather
Check the weather for your walk location and hills. We’d recommend that you check a few resources and for hill walks look at the weather conditions in the valley and on the hilltop as they can greatly vary.
- BBC Weather for Monyash
- Met Office weather and/or MWIS (Mountain weather information service) for the Peak District
- Met Office weather for Ravenstor YHA (closest location)
Ordnance Survey walk map
The map required for this walk is the Ordnance Survey OL24 – Peak District (White Peak Area). Check prices here with Ordnance Survey or Amazon. If you’re hiking in all weather the Active OS maps are good to have as they are laminated so better on rainy days.
View both Peak District map options here.
And don’t forget your compass, I recommend the Silva Expedition or the Silva Classic compass.
For online maps, I recommend OS Online App (I have been using it for many years and it is worth getting if you want to start walking more). Check prices here for the one-month or annual option with OS Online App. All the walks on the website are created using OS Online + you can download them to the App.
See both maps that cover the Peak District here.
Want to learn more map skills? Check out our Guided Walks with map reading skills here.
Lathkill Dale walk route
Stage 1 – Monyash to Lathkill Dale
Distance: 2.2 miles/3.6 km
Grid reference SK 15743 66451
From the small car park, on the outskirts of Monyash, go through the gate and follow the grassy track. Walk through the next two gates then before you reach the third, take the narrow footpath on your left heading uphill (photo below). Walk along the narrow path next to the fence, then head uphill to the small signpost next to the tree.
Follow the path back down into Ricklow Dale, going through the gate and turning right. Walk along here, through a gap in a dry stone wall and continue along the path as it leads towards the limestone cliff edge staying high above the dale.
Next, go over a wooden stile, the views of Lathkill Dale really open up and you have stunning views of the dale. As you walk along, the path splits, a higher or lower route, and they join back up so pick either option.
Go over the next stile, and on the right there’s a stone path leading down (see shorter options below). But on this walk, ignore the downhill path and continue walking along the narrow path leading along the edge. You’ll go through some trees, over another three stiles, and then finally, it’s a steep path down to Lathkill Dale on this circular route.
Stage 2 – Lathkill Dale to Monyash
Distance: 2.1 mile/3.4 km
Grid reference SK 18328 65993
Once you’ve descended, turn right following the path as it declines towards the River Lathkill. Once you reach the river, there’s a pretty weir with an old millstone on the ground. Turn right and walk along the rocky path, you’ll soon reach the River Lathkill waterfall.
Please remember no paddling for you or your dog (I know it looks tempting!) to protect the wildlife.
Keep walking along Lathkill Dale, following the river, you then go over a small stone stile/gap in the wall. Walk along the rocky path, through the trees and another gate. Then past a small footbridge, a pretty place to stop for a picnic and admire the views.
Follow the footpath, during summer months the river mostly drys up along this section but after heavy rain, some sections of the path can flood. On your right, you’ll come across a small cave, which is a source of the river in wetter months!
Keep heading along the rocky footpath, through another stile/gap in the wall, then through a tricky rocky section (see photo above) before it brings you to a gate and now you’re back on the route you began on. Simply keep walking and you’ll reach the Lathkill Dale parking area.
Ask me questions about Lathkill Dale walk in the comments below.
Other options for this walk
Shorten the walk
Looking for a shorter route? As referenced in stage 1 instructions, you can descend sooner on the stone path (see photo below) and loop back, you do miss the Lathkill Dale waterfall if you do this route.
Extend the walk
Alternatively, if you want to extend the walk instead of turning right at the River Lathkill you can add up to another 4 miles/6 km to your walk by doing an out-and-back walk along the remainder of Lathkill Dale.
More walks in the Peak District
Love the Derbyshire walks in the Peak District? You might like these circular walks.
- Alstonefield Walk (Via Milldale + Dovedale) | 7-Mile Route
- Bradford Dale Short Walk Near Youlgreave | 5-Mile Route
- Wolfscote Dale + Biggin Dale Walk From Hartington | 5-Mile Route
Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here
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Thoroughly enjoyed this with my 15 year old son and two nephews.
My son and eldest nephew had previously been to the Dale with school and DofE, but not the higher route your guide took us which was beautiful.
Me and my son did Chrome hill and Parkhouse last year ( Dragons Back) which was truly breathtaking.
Planning on taking the nephews on that one too.
Thank you kindly for this little piece of heaven Becky.
After a marriage break up a year and a half ago it really has added an extra depth to a strong bond I already had with my son as well as allowed me to feel somewhat whole again.
Indebted to you
Mo
Hi Mo, ah that’s absolutely wonderful that you enjoyed the walk with your son and nephews, I absolutely loved exploring from above and below the dale it’s great to see both perspectives. I’m happy to hear you feel the outdoors has strengthened the bond with your son, the outdoors has a wonderful way of doing that. Wishing you the best and many more walks together 🙂
I found out about Lathkill Dale from a dog walking site who actively promote it as a place where your dog can swim. I googled a circular walk and came across your walk so I am a little confused that you’re saying you can’t let dogs in the river? Why would they actively encourage it if its not allowed?
Hi Toria, Lathkill Dale is registered as an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) which means it is a protected area due to the wildlife and flora and fauna, for example the Dippers which are often seen here. This is why dogs aren’t allowed to swim (or people) as it disrupts the natural environment. I have no idea why the dog swimming website are promoting it but at a guess they maybe haven’t researched, I don’t know but I stand by my information on the website that focuses on protecting the local area. Hope that clarifies and I’d encourage you to do your own research if you have any further questions or get in touch with the Wildlife Trust. Thanks 🙂
A beautiful walk but I found the gpx file inaccurate, actually sending us anti clockwise. So at Ricklow quarry the footpath was shown as climbing over some boulders and moss.
Eventually we ignored the route and found the side path to go over a small hill where we picked up the route again.
Had we gone clockwise we may we’d have been faced with quite a steep and slippery decent at the halfway point.
Hi, thanks Alan, I’m not sure why the GPX took you clockwise, I’ve checked both options – GPX and OS Maps bring up an anti-clockwise route. The route is detailed within the description and explains it’s a steep descent, so if you prefer to go up steep sections rather than down it sounds like it worked well for you. Many thanks.