We are the East Staffordshire Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in the East Staffordshire area to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
A memorable walk in the Manifold Valley with great countryside and wonderful views.
Starting from the free car park in Wetton village we walk the easy way along concessionary paths to Thor's Cave, taking a short diversion on the way to view the valley and surrounding countryside from the viewpoint above the cave itself. Thor's Cave is an iconic Peak District landmark, a natural cavern set in a steep limestone crag overlooking the Manifold Valley.
We descend steeply from the cave down into the valley, turning north for several miles, passing Wetton Mill and walking for a while in the lee of Ecton Hill, then following the Manifold Trail.
Just before Hulme End we leave the trail, turning east and crossing the river to begin our ascent of Ecton Hill. Ecton Hill, known as the 'hollow hill', is famous for its historic copper and lead mines, particularly the Deep Ecton Mine, once the deepest in England, yielding immense wealth for the Dukes of Devonshire in the 18th century using advanced Boulton & Watt steam engines to lift the copper ore from deep underground. Today, the area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and there are many old mine shafts and a restored pumping house along the way. We ascend via a lane, then a track and after visiting the pumping house we climb steeply to reach the trig point at the summit and enjoy more magnificent views.
We descend along meadows, past more mining remains onto a narrow lane which we follow for a while and then leave to walk through more memorable countryside, first climbing in the lee of Wetton Hill and then back to our starting point in Wetton village.
Free car park in Wetton Village by public toilets.
