Dovedale

Dovedale is a limestone dale of the River Dove on the border between Derbyshire and Staffordshire and has been a National Nature Reserve since 2006. Its famous stepping stones cross the river below Thorpe Cloud; according to the National Trust they were laid in the 19th century and contain visible fossils. Thorpe Cloud, an isolated limestone hill, is 287 m high; the climb is steep and the descent can be tricky when wet. After heavy rain the stepping stones can be flooded and impassable.

From the Dovedale car park it is about 0.8 km to the stepping stones, and a short circuit including the crossing takes around 20 minutes. The National Trust route from Ilam Park to the stepping stones is 2.4 km and takes about 40 minutes. At weekends and in the holidays the car parks are often almost full by 9 am; overnight parking is not allowed at either the Dovedale car park or Ilam Park. Wear sturdy footwear, as paths can be muddy, and keep dogs on a lead.