Three Dales Walk From Middleton-by-Youlgreave | 6 Miles
If you’re looking for a circular Peak District walk that captures the very best of Derbyshire’s limestone landscape, the Three Dales Walk from Middleton-by-Youlgreave is hard to beat. This 6-mile route leads hikers through Bradford Dale, Gratton Dale and Long Dale – three beautiful limestone valleys – offering a quiet, rewarding alternative to some of the Peak District’s more crowded trails.
The walk begins and ends in Middleton-by-Youlgreave, a charming village where 19th-century stone buildings line the lanes. Along the route, you’ll also encounter four of the Sites of Meaning artworks installed as part of a Millennium project. This route is perfect for walkers of all abilities, from beginners to more experienced.
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This walk is from the book ‘Walks in the White Peak’ by John N Merrill.
Route at a Glance
- Distance: 6 miles
- Start and finish: Middleton-by-Youlgreave
- Route type: Circular
- Terrain: Valley paths, open limestone dales
Route Highlights
Bradford Dale
The first dale on the route is arguably the most picturesque. Bradford Dale is a classic limestone valley carved by the River Bradford.
Gratton Dale
A dry limestone dale with a wilder character, Gratton Dale sees far fewer visitors than many Peak District valleys. The towering limestone walls and carpet of wildflowers in season make it a highlight for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Long Dale
True to its name, Long Dale stretches out with a wide, open feel that provides a pleasing contrast to the more enclosed earlier dales. Big skies and open grassland make this section feel remote and peaceful.
Sites of Meaning
The route passes four installations from the Sites of Meaning project, a Millennium art initiative that placed thoughtful artworks across the Peak District landscape.
Middleton-by-Youlgreave village
The start and finish point is a destination in its own right. Middleton-by-Youlgreave is a beautifully preserved village where many of the stone buildings date from the 19th century, giving it an atmosphere that feels a world away from the modern Peak District honeypots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Three Dales Walk take?
Most walkers complete this 6-mile circular route in around 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on pace and how long you spend enjoying the views. Allow extra time if you plan to stop for a picnic in one of the dales.
Is the Three Dales Walk suitable for beginners?
Yes, this is a good choice for confident beginner walkers. The route is relatively well-defined and not overly strenuous, though there are some inclines between the dales. Sturdy footwear is recommended, particularly after rain when paths can be muddy.
Where do you park for the Three Dales Walk?
The walk starts in Middleton-by-Youlgreave. There is limited roadside parking in the village, so it’s worth arriving early, especially on weekends. Alternatively, the nearby village of Youlgreave has a small car park and is within easy walking distance.
What are the Sites of Meaning?
The Sites of Meaning are a series of artworks installed across the Peak District as part of a Millennium project. The installations are designed to sit thoughtfully within the landscape and invite reflection on themes of meaning, community and the natural world. Four of the sites are passed on this route.
Are dogs allowed on the Three Dales Walk?
Yes, dogs are welcome on this route, though they should be kept on a lead around livestock, which is commonly found grazing in and around the dales. Carry water for your dog, especially in warmer months, as water sources along the route can be limited.
Is the Three Dales Walk accessible year-round?
Yes, the route can be walked in any season, though conditions vary considerably. Spring and summer offer wildflowers and easier underfoot conditions, while autumn brings beautiful colours to the valley sides. In winter, paths may be muddy or icy – waterproof boots and trekking poles are advised.
Three Dales Walk Info
The walk starts from the village centre of Middleton-by-Youlgreave, next to the playground, where there is a memorial to the crew of a Wellington Bomber which crashed at Smerrill on 21 January 1944. We walked down the road opposite to the children’s play area and public toilet facilities near the Jubilee Tree, passing Tor Farm. We took the rocky path downhill into Bradford Dale.
At the next path junction, just before the sheepwash (where there is another Site of Meaning if you want a tiny detour) we turned right and followed the path as it crossed the bridge, then climbed the steps.
We came to the clapper bridge (look for the Sites of Meaning wording on the stone as you walk across) and turned left, crossing the fields via the stiles. When the path meets the farm track, we turned left to cross Rowlow Brook (where there’s another Site of Meaning in the stream) and walk up the concrete track to Lowfields Farm. The footpath skirts to the left of the farmyard and then heads off over the fields to Gratton Grange Farm.
Heading through the farmyard, we turned right to walk downhill to reach the old telephone box. There’s a footpath sign here and we followed the track into Gratton Dale, passing an old lime kiln.
The Dale itself is full of wildflowers and was really pretty, with limestone cliffs and outcrops. There are sections where it gets very muddy so bear that in mind if you’re planning on walking this after heavy rain or after a wet spell.
The path runs through Gratton Dale for about a mile, before reaching a wooden gate at the end of the Dale. Here we turned right into Long Dale, a shallow, more open dale.
We walked for about half a mile through the valley then reached a stile as the wall cuts across the valley. Over the stile and there’s another of the Sites of Meaning in a small walled enclosure. We picked up the path climbing up out of the valley bottom, and then the path heads over the fields, becoming a walled lane as leads down to Smerrill Grange.
We turned left and followed the lane back for around 3/4 of a mile into Middleton-by-Youlgreave, back to the starting point. The fourth Site of Meaning is situated in the herb garden just next to the children’s playground – look out for the peacock!
This was a lovely peaceful walk, and we barely saw any other walkers (it was a sunny Friday morning when we did this).
There are no pubs in Middleton-by-Youlgreave but there are some in nearby Youlgreave if you want a drive. We headed to The Lamb at Hayfield as it was on our way home.
Walk Map (Opens in OS Maps): Three Dales Walk
Parking: On street parking in Weaddow Lane, Middleton-by-Youlgreave, | What3Words: horses.chap.afflicted – free. Please park responsibly and don’t block any gates.
Facilities: There are public toilets in Middleton-by-Youlgreave. There are no pubs.
Dogs: This route passes farmland which has sheep and cows, and there are some stiles. Dogs should be on a lead and kept out of the water in Bradford Dale as it’s a nature reserve.
Walk Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: ▲▲
Distance: 6 miles (10km)
Trig Points Bagged: None
Peak District Peaks Bagged: None
Peak District Ethels Bagged: None
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