DERBYSHIRE PEAKS and DALES

22nd October 2008: Monk's Dale and Chee Dale.    Web page by Bryan Benn and Sunnydale

Start/Finish: Millers Dale, old station

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Distance: circa 15 kms

Weather: Bright

Vertical altitude gain: circa 400 m

Time: 5 hrs 10 mins

Millers Dale Car Park This Derbyshire Dales walk was to start from the Millers Dale car park, but wan't to follow that route. Instead we were to start in the adjacent Monk's Dale. A very wet and narrow Dale that was to provide a superb start to an excellent walk.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Mon

Monk's Dale Looking at Monk's Dale

The sodden and partly flooded Dale was to provide many sights. Some seen here from a bridge not far from the car park.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 continued Monk's Dale

Into the Dale and the beauty of the inter-action between trees and water became obvious. Especially as the leaves were just starrting to turn with the approach of Autumn.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Five Dales From Millers Dale, 6th Oct 2008 Monk'sDale

Heavy recent rain meant a good flow of water, creating small waterfalls in parts of the Dale.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Five Dales From Millers Dale, 6th Oct 2008 Monk's Dale

The river overflowing it's banks in many places meant a fairly muddy walk. But who cared! That did nothing to detract from the wonderful sights before us.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Five Dales From Millers Dale, 6th Oct 2008

Monk's Dale Monk's Dale

At one point the path left the side of the river and climbed above the trees. Giving a more open view of the Dale for just a short distance.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 Monk's Dale

We soon dived back to the Dale bottom, to be greeted again with wonderful views in the wet and tree filled environment.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 Monk's Dale

Our progress was gently up hill. So the small river that was being fed by little rivulets coming in from either side slowly reduced in width and depth.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 continued Monk's Dale

By now moss covered rocks were becoming quite frequent. No surprise in such a damp Dale bottom.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 Monk's Dale

Fallen trees stayed where they fell. Adding to the picturesque scene unfolding before us as we walked.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 Monk's Dale

Then finally we reached the end of the flowing water. Marked by still sodden ground and moss covered trees branches.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 Track between Monk's Dale and Flag Dale

We left Monk's Dale and climbed over a hill towards Flag Dale. Taking a path with it's own beauty.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 Track between Monk's Dale and Flag Dale

The path also showed us places where small trees almost made a tunnel, while opthers provided a most colourful scene for us to enjoy.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 Track between Monk's Dale and Flag Dale

Clearing the trees took us to a high point near to Wormhill Hill. Where the low Autumn sun played on the water lying in mud churned up by an adjacent farm.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008

Track between Monk's Dale and Flag Dale Track between Monk's Dale and Flag Dale

We headed on and briefly passed through Flag Dale, but turned off that route and the Pennine Bridleway that we had used for a short distance, for the "Grande Finale" of the walk, Chee Dale!

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 High point near to Chee Dale

We lunched overlooking the entrance to Great Rocks Dale.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008

Chee Dale Chee Dale

We descended to teh valley floor and soon entered Chee Dale. With the old railway bridge now carrying the Monsal Trail high above us.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008

Chee Dale Chee Dale

The river in the Dale ran between rocky sides, at times vertical and quite high above us.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 Chee Dale

It was the River Wye running through the Dale. Quite wide in places, no doubt due to the heavy rain that had persisted for much of late summer and early Autumn.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008

Chee Dale Chee Dale

The path crossed the river a few times, and also climbed up and down alongside the river.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 Chee Dale

In places the rocky cliffs creating the deep Dale were more than just vertical: they overhung the River Wye!

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 Chee Dale

In other places the river widened and flowed past small islands covered in vegetation that must have thrived on all the moisture available.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008

Chee Dale Chee Dale

In places the Dale path was very muddy! And in other places rocky as it climbed up above the River Wye.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 Chee Dale

Small weirs added to the noise of the water flowing though the Dale.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 Chee Dale

We walked on, but sometimes turned to see the view behind us.

Monk's and Chee Dales
Monk's and Chee Dales, 22nd Oct 2008 Chee Dale

We were approaching the end of our walk, the car park back at MIllers Dale station. But before then a shaft of sunlight shining on golden Autumn leaves reminded us of the season that was now fast approaching.

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