Dovedale is known for the River Dove and it’s impressive limestone ravines, but the most iconic part of a trip to Dovedale is considered to be the picturesque stepping stones…

From the car park it’s just a short walk up and across a wooden bridge to get to the River Dove, where you can look up onto Thorpe Cloud.

Thorpe Cloud is an isolated limestone hill, also known as a reef knoll, which sits between the villages of Ilam and Thorpe and lies right on the border between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Its a steep ascent to it’s highest point which has an elevation of 287 metres but is more than worth the effort for the views across the Staffordshire and Derbyshire countryside once you’re at the top.

Following the River Dove up towards the stepping stones you can cross and climb to the top of Thorpe Cloud, giving fantastic panoramic views of the Peak District.

For a more family friendly walk, you can continue up passed Thorpe Cloud and carry on up along the river. There’s lots of great wildlife and woodland to explore along this riverside stroll, and the path is very clear and flat which is a plus point for families with small children.