Thursday walk, 4 July 2024 – report

[Andy Smith]

13 members and a dog met at Over Haddon. We had blue skies
and sunshine all day but it was cool for July and there was
a fresh westerly wind. We dropped down the road to Lathkill
Dale where we were well sheltered from the breeze. We
strolled along this delightful dale with the crystal clear
water of the River Lathkill flowing over a series of weirs.
After passing a swan we reached Conksbury Bridge, crossed
the bridge and picked up the path on the other side. We
soon reached Raper Lodge where we made a short detour to a
bridge where we enjoyed our coffee break. After this we
walked into the village of Alport and then up Bradford
Dale. Our leisurely lunch break was taken on a grassy river
bank below Youlgreave, adjacent to a pool. Pressing on, we
crossed the River Bradford at a stone footbridge, climbed
the opposite bank and took a path overlooking our outward
path. After crossing the road coming down from Youlgreave
church, we left the river, taking a track to Hollow Farm.
Throughout the day we met numerous Duke of Edinburgh
expedition groups and were grateful we weren’t carrying
loads like theirs. Our route took us back to Alport where
we crossed the river at the lowest point of the walk. A
steep climb up Dark Lane soon levelled out, but we met with
the wind again and one hat was blown off but fortunately
retrieved. A little farther on we left the track to follow
a path across fields and stiles, thereby returning to Over
Haddon, where most of us partook of post-walk refreshment
at the Lathkill Hotel, before the final short leg back to
the car park. Distance: 6.5 miles.
Andy & Rosy
Rosy’s pic

[Author]

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