
Chee Dale Stepping Stones from Miller's Dale
Derbyshire
Chee Dale is a narrow gorge on the River Wye west of Miller's Dale, cut some 60 metres into carboniferous limestone, with steep crags and ash woodland on either side. A dog on a lead can cross the river itself here, on two sets of stepping stones below the towering crags. Much of it is a Derbyshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, known for early purple and bee orchids, Jacob's ladder and dippers on the river. This 8km circuit from the Miller's Dale car park uses the Monsal Trail to reach the dale, then drops to the riverside path, where boardwalks and two sets of stepping stones carry the path along the foot of the cliffs. The route has around 358 metres of climbing in total, on a rocky, muddy riverside path with three stiles.
This dog friendly walk is a good adventure for agile, confident dogs, but the nature reserve asks for dogs to be kept on a lead, and the stepping stones are easiest with a dog walking alongside. The River Wye is beside you through the gorge, so there is no shortage of water to drink, though the current is strong after rain and the stepping stones can flood. The woodland and cliffs give welcome shade in summer. Livestock is rarely met in the dale itself. Miller's Dale car park is pay and display, with toilets and a seasonal cafe at the start, and the level Monsal Trail offers an easier way back.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- River, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Toilets and a seasonal cafe kiosk at Miller's Dale car park.
- Parking
- Miller's Dale car park, Peak District National Park Authority, pay and display.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Chee Dale Stepping Stones from Miller's Dale, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in DerbyshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Chee Dale Stepping Stones from Miller's Dale dog friendly?
Chee Dale is a good option for dogs, earning a 7/10 on our dog-friendly rating. The 8km circuit through the limestone gorge is a genuine adventure, with a riverside path, two sets of stepping stones over the River Wye, and plenty of water along the way. It suits agile, confident dogs best, as the path is rocky and muddy in places and includes three stiles.
Can dogs be off lead at Chee Dale Stepping Stones from Miller's Dale?
Much of Chee Dale is a Derbyshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the reserve asks that dogs are kept on a lead throughout. Keeping your dog on a lead also makes crossing the two sets of stepping stones considerably easier, as they're designed for walking alongside your dog rather than managing a free-roaming one.
What should I know before visiting Chee Dale Stepping Stones from Miller's Dale with my dog?
The stepping stones can flood after heavy rain and the River Wye runs fast in wet conditions, so it's worth checking before you go if the weather has been poor. The route involves around 358 metres of climbing on a rocky, muddy path with three stiles, so it's best suited to a fit and sure-footed dog. On the plus side, livestock is rarely encountered in the dale itself, there's shade from the woodland and cliffs in summer, and the level Monsal Trail offers an easier return leg if needed. Miller's Dale car park is pay and display, with toilets and a seasonal cafe at the start.
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