Name: Lathkill Dale
Address: Over Haddon, Bakewell, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire, DE45 1QW, United Kingdom

🐾 Dog-Friendly Lathkill Dale at a Glance
🦮 Lead Rules: Some off-lead on main paths; keep dogs close near livestock and narrower trails and out of the water
🚶 Walk Length: Flexible out-and-back or loop options, from short strolls to longer wanders
🌿 Terrain: Limestone tracks, grassy valley paths, mostly flat with inclines in/out of the valley
🐑 Livestock: Yes, in surrounding fields at certain times of year
🌼 Landscape Highlights: Limestone valley, wildflowers, seasonal river
🏰 History & Ruins: Remains of mining sites and millponds
🚻 Facilities: None in the dale itself
🅿️ Parking: Small local car parks and roadside parking nearby

About

Lathkill Dale is a stunning limestone valley and National Nature Reserve, with clear waters, steep sides and rich wildlife, so it needs a bit more care than a standard dog walk. You will also see some heritage sites, such as the remains of millponds and lead mines.

As this is a river valley, it can dry up in places during prolonged hot weather, and in winter it can rise and flood some surrounding pastures and paths. This makes visiting times better in the Spring or Autumn, when you have water in the river, but not too much, colour in the valley, and fewer visitors.

Dog Access and Rules

The dale supports protected species such as dippers, water voles and a rich ground flora, so dogs should be kept under close control, and on a lead where requested by signs.

You may pass grazing livestock in fields leading into or out of the dale, and you will need to keep dogs on a short lead around sheep and cattle, and be ready to turn back or pick a different line if animals are too close.

Ground-nesting birds and other wildlife are particularly vulnerable in spring and early summer, making good recall and lead use especially important then.

The spring-fed River Lathkill and its small waterfalls are a big draw, but paddling or swimming is not allowed for people or dogs in key stretches because of the fragile ecosystem.

Things To See & Do

Lathkill Dale is a good, scenic dog walk, combining rocky, potentially wet riverside paths with trails along the valley tops that can include stiles, so it suits reasonably sure-footed dogs. If you opt for a circular route, starting from Monyash or Over Haddon, you will have steeper descents and paths that run above limestone cliffs.

This is a popular dale, we recommend early, mid‑week or outside peak holiday periods if your dog prefers quieter trails, as weekends and good-weather days can be busy.

Whichever walking option you take, some of the highlights not to be missed include Lathkill Head Cave, Tufa Dam Waterfall, weirs, and views from the upper paths.

Access and Facilities

The main access points are from Monyash and Over Haddon, which have steep paths down into the dale.

Parking is limited and can get busy at weekends and in good weather, so arrive early and park considerately in marked areas or legal roadside spots in the laybys and village.

Facilities are nonexistent in the dale, so bring water and snacks for both you and your dog. You do have toilets at the main starting points.

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