In case you’re thinking we’ve already done this stage of the GeoWalk, you’d be partially correct. This in fact is the full-fat version of a walk which Rusty led last year and it should suit those purists amongst our ranks.
It’s an A2B walk 15km long and with a mere 170m of ascent. Car shuffling will be required so please volunteer if you are able.

The official summary is as follows:

The route begins with an easy well-marked path following the limestone valley of the River Dove through Dovedale and across the famous stepping stones, with impressive exposures of carbonate mud mounds along the way. The walk then veers away from the Dove to join the Manifold valley at Ilam, skirting the fringes of the Early Carboniferous lagoon and passing onto thinly bedded, muddier limestones that formed in deeper water beyond the lagoon margin. The second half of the walk mainly follows the course of the disappearing River Manifold before ending at picturesque Wetton Mill.
Starting car park Milldale SK 136 548. W3W outnumber.supposed.engulfing. Loos nearby.

Potential refreshment stop / loos at Ilam.
Finishing car park Wetton Mill SK 096 561. W3W scatter.potato.booms. Tea rooms nearby (Allegedly open 09:30-17:00)
I suggest we all meet at Milldale at 10:15 ready for a 10:30 departure. (Those volunteering to car shuffle will need to be at Wetton Mill at 09:40 to allow time to make the journey to Milldale.)
Please let me know if you are coming and also offering to car share or shuffle.

Stuart Firth