🌳Darley Dale 8 mile walk🌸Oaker Hill🌸Masson🌸Limestone Way🌸Matlock🌳

Our walk promises hillsides with scenic views, as well as riverside paths and pretty villages
and a visit to see our much missed Bo's sapling planted 6 months ago..

Our scenic walk starts from the Village of Darley Dale which is made up of a number of settlements, Two Dales, South Darley, Churchtown and Northwood.
The village is recorded in the Domesday Book as 'Derelie', Darley Dale was known as Darley for 800 years until 'Dale’ was added later in the nineteenth century.

Our route heads through scenic countryside up to Oaker Hill with far reaching views from this pretty spot by a beautiful Sycamore tree..
There's a poem hidden inside the roots of the Sycamore Tree on the top of Oaker Hill..

Legend has it that two local brothers planted a tree each on this hill before going their separate ways, one prospered and his tree survived, the other brother failed and his died..

A poem by William Wordsworth is dedicated to this tree.

Tis said that to the brow of yon fair hill
Two brother clomb; and turning face from face
Nor one look more exchanging, grief to still
Or feed, each planted on that lofty place a chosen tree..
Then eager to fulfil their courses, like two new-born rivers, they in opposite directions urged their way
Down from the far-seen mount
nor blast might kill
Or blight that fond memorial
The trees grew and now entwine, their arms’ but ne’er again
Embraced those brothers upon earth’s wide plain,
Nor aught of mutual joy or sorrow knew
Until their spirits mingled in the sea
That to itself takes all – Eternity”

We'll check out our tree sapling we planted in Memory of our much loved Bo..

Leaving this enchanted hill, our route heads along tracks and the Limestone Way towards Matlock.

Reaching Matlock, we take our lunch break
in Matlock Park and much needed toilet break..

Leaving Matlock, we head alongside the Riverside path which takes us to Darley
Dale where we started our scenic walk..

An undulating walk with some woodland lanes and hillside ascents along the way
as well as easy riverside paths..

Bring a picnic lunch plenty of snacks and enough water for the walk
As always breaks and catching up stops along the way

Walking boots are essential as well as warm layers and waterproofs
As always, check the weather and dress accordingly

All doggies are welcome on our walks
🐕‍🦺 🐕 🐶

Look forward to sharing another adventure with you all..
👩‍🦯🐕‍🦺🐕🐕‍🦺🧑‍🦯🚶🚶‍♀️