174 steps down to Cales Dale

4 of us this week and my turn to drive. Geoff had planned a trip to Cales Dale and Lathkill Dale. We parked up about 07:40 on a lay by and set off towards the dreaded steps of Cales Dale. It was a very dull morning so the pics aren't great having to up the ISO. A couple of fields in i had an unfortunate slip, muddy boots and damp limestone don't mix so i had a tumble and it bloody hurt but the main thin g is my camera didn't get damaged. After getting my composure back we carried on through part of low Moor Plantation then past Calling Low farm and onto those steps. On the way down i could here Geoff counting them and i think he got up to 174 this lead us into Cales Dale and then it was a short walk into Lathkill Dale. The river Lathkill was in full flow as we walked along side it. We saw 4 Dippers and 2 Herons on our way to Mr. Batemans House where we stopped for breakfast. We met a couple there with their dog and it tuned out to be a fellow photographer Martin Draper. We carried on through Lathkill Dale to the old mill where we crossed the river and headed up the hill on the other side, this was quite a slog climbing over 160 ft in a short distance. Once at the top of this Dale the footpath carried to a Victorian farm, Meadow Place Grange, quite a busy and spectacular farm. We had to go through the farmyard which was littered with mud mixed with cow manure spilling over our boots. From there it was a steady incline towards the road and back to the car.

Route around Cales dale and Lathkill Dale.

Ike

Geoff & Rob

Geoff, Rob & Ike

Geoff on a rope swing

Looking down into Lathkill Dale

From the top of the steps

174 of limestone steps

Geoff coming down the steps

Rob at the Cales Dale signpost

Ike

This chap came running along the track and carried on up the steps

Geoff in Cales Dale

Everywhere is just so green

Footbridge over the river Lathkill

River Lathkill

The Tuft Weir on the river Lathkill

Old millstone

All that remains of the old Caters Mill

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Footbridge leading up to Mr. Batemans house

Remains of Mr, Batemans house originally built in the 1840’s for Thomas Bateman who was agent of the Lathkill Mine.

Geoff, Ike, Rob & me

These were once much taller and carried an aqueduct where water which was taken from the main river close to Carters Mill and used to operate a giant waterwheel at Mandale Mine.

Another fine old mill on the Lathkill, the wheel is still intact in the building.

Crossing the Lathkill for the last time

The start of the slog uphill

Part of Meadow Place Grange

Part of Meadow Place Grange

Part of Meadow Place Grange

Part of Meadow Place Grange

Part of Meadow Place Grange, its a proper working farm

Meadow Place Grange

Martin Draper on the other side of the wall

Cattle having their food

Back at the car.

 Despite the fall at the start, fortunately nothing broken just a very sore thigh and expecting a big bruise tomorrow this was a lovely walk just over 5 miles. A dull day with lots of hills to negotiate and a fair bit of mud, but hey its winter what do yo expect.
See you next week.