YOULGREAVE, Derbyshire

This is a coach walk.
The coach starts from Nottinghamshire County Hall, Loughborough Road, Nottingham NG2 7QP at 9.15am and Maid Marian Way (outside Tesco) at 9.30am
For seat reservations contact Paul Wagstaff on 0115 982 1022

There will be a choice of three walks of varying distance to suit most abilities
A Grade 'A' hard walk of 8-10 miles, possibly with more difficult conditions, a grade 'B' moderate walk of 6-8 miles and a grade 'C' easy walk of 4-6 miles

Coach fare for members £13 and £15 for non members

A WALK - Leader: Kate Donaldson - 11 miles
A glorious walk incorporating two rivers, three hills (total ascent c1340 feet), the remains of 28th century mining operations and evidence of weirs and a waterfall. The lack of rainfall means the second river is barely a trickle!
Leaving Youlgreave the route follows the River Bradford through woods before a climb up to and along the Limestone Way offering expansive views over the surrounding countryside of the White Peak. 
Most of the uphill part of the walk will be conquered before a well earned lunch at 5 miles in Monyash where there are loos, a pub, an ice cream parlour and likely lots of motorcyclists.
After lunch the descent begins into Lathkill Dale, following a rocky path of exposed stone with steep grassy banks and crags on either side.  One of Derbyshires five dales, this is a nature reserve with several sites of special scientific interest and remains of the mining industry that dominated the area in the 18th century.  Whilst the character of Lathkill Dale has changed considerably from its past of mines, mills and engine rooms evidence of this history remans in the dips, hollows, capped shafts, crumbled pillars and weathered stone walls visible along the way.
Jacobs Ladder, a rare bell-shaped, lavender-blue flower is currently in bloom along the track through Lathkill Dale.  Buzzards, kestrels and goshawks have been sighted overhead.  Water voles, wagtails and dippers are frequent visitors notwithstanding the lack of water.
Mile 9 will get hearts pounding; there’s a steep climb up a wide track ascending from the river heading back to Youlgreave.  Once back in open countryside it’s a little more forgiving and finally the route drops back down to the village with a lovely view down the lane to the billage fountain and black and white frontage of the Bulls Head Hotel.

B WALK - Leader: Bohdan Skrypec - 7.7 miles
Route: A gentle undulating circular route a smidgen under 7.7 miles
Our journey starts in Youlgreave with a short steep descent which, at the end, is a short steep ascent.  We follow the tranquil River Bradford for a short distance before meandering across Gratton CP to unique Elton and lunch
Post lunch we join the Limestone Way returning to Youlgreave. Panoramic views
For the historians and the curious on route we pass Anthony Hill, Burycliffe Troughs visit Robin Hood Stride and wonder if Robin Hood really did leap from Weasel Pinnacle to Inaccessible Pinnacle.  As an optional extra (for those that want to providing it is over 51% of the group) a detour, off route  and slightly difficult, to The Hermit’s Cave to see the 13 century carvings is possible
Tea room/toilets (honesty box)/alcoholic establishments in Youlgreave
No facilities on route.

C WALK - Leader: Paul Wagstaff - 6.75 miles
Route: Youlgreave, Meadow Place Grange, Lathkill Dale, Cales Dale, Limestone Way to Youlgreave
Terrain: meadow and dale walking, though there is a long steep flight of steps out of Cales Dale, good views above the dales