Rambles: Birchover to Matlock via Youlgreave 10 miles

Peak District:
Day 5
Starting at Birchover, I headed W through and out of Birchover along main st. then down a lane, taking the footpath that continues around a woods and a barn to meet the road (B5056). At the road I crossed over to meet the Limestone Way which takes you past Robin Hood's Stride, Hermit's Cave (rock formations) until you reach Cliff lane.  Cross over the it to take the dirt track to Harthill Moor Farm and continue along the Limestone Way up to Youlgreave (Youlgrave).  The Way reaches Mawstone Lane and instead of crossing it and continuing along the Limestone Way I turned right across the bridge over the river Bradford into Youlgreave. At the church I continued straight on down Conksbury lane turning right on Back lane to cross over the beautiful Lathkill Dale river into Conksbury village which is particularly attractive.  After crossing the bridge I journeyed straight on up to the cumulus, bearing right on the footpath (crossing over one, then bearing left at a junction, then crossing another) to Haddon Hall which is equally pretty.   I stopped for a picnic at Haddon then walked E along the A6 (though you can cut NW and go around the Haddon estate to Calton Lees and down) to Rowsley, passing alongside the river Wye, which is another quaint village.  Near the Peacock Hotel I took a right to follow again the Derwent Valley way S past Rowsley South Station alongside the river.  Travelling down through Darley Dale (charming) and then continuing along the river around the back of Matlock (not so charming), to Matlock station. All in all a pleasant, easy walk.