Darwin Forest Country Park Walks – Dovedale

Darwin Forest Country Park Walks – Dovedale

This is a 7 mile ‘there and back’ walking route from Dovedale car park to Milldale in the Peak District National Park.

We were staying at Darwin Forest Country Park near Matlock in Derbyshire but decided to make the most of the day by setting off from Sandgate, Kent, at 5.15am to get there for when the car park opened at 9am.

Darwin Forest Country Park Walks – Dovedale – Peak District National Park

We made good time and arrived at 8.45am so plenty of time to lace up our walking boots, pay the car park attendant his £3 and then set off up the lane to the Stepping Stones.

Darwin Forest Country Park Walks – Dovedale

Darwin Forest Country Park Walks – Dovedale – The Stepping Stones

Darwin Forest Country Park Walks – Dovedale – Tedi

Darwin Forest Country Park Walks – Dovedale – Stepping Stones

After the Stepping Stones there really are no other directions other than walk left, through the gate and continue to follow the track through Dovedale Wood until you reach the picturesque village of Milldale.

It’s a great place to stop for lunch right by the river and bridge before a quick loo break before heading back to the car park at Dovedale.

Here are some of the highlights from our walk which took 4 hours to walk the 7 miles to Milldale and back at a very leisurely pace, and if anyone knows why everyone seems to push coins into the trees please let me know!