Derbyshire Walks

Dale Abbey Walks & Route Maps

Dale Abbey walk, Derbyshire
Dale Abbey · Photo: Garth Newton

These walks explore the countryside around Dale Abbey in Derbyshire, combining rural footpaths and woodland trails with some of the area’s most interesting historic sites.

Both routes follow sections of the Midshires Way and pass through Hermit’s Wood to the rock-cut Hermitage, before visiting the ruins of Dale Abbey, a medieval Augustinian monastery hidden within the valley landscape.

Download the Derbyshire Walks App to follow these routes with real-time GPS navigation.

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Walk information

Dale Abbey Walk 1

Walk distance
3½ miles
Time
2 hours
Route type
Circular

The route follows part of the Midshires Way, a long-distance trail that links the Chiltern Hills with the Peak District.

The walk also passes through Hermit’s Wood to the remarkable rock-cut Hermitage, believed to date from the 12th century.

Nearby you'll visit the ruins of Dale Abbey, once home to an Augustinian monastery founded in the medieval period.

Dale Abbey Walk 1 4.0 Ratings and reviews 1 rating · 1 review

Based on 1 user rating

Community feedback

Overall rating4.0

A very popular walk

Dog friendly4.0 / 5
Path condition4.0 / 5
Buggy friendly1.0 / 5
Wheelchair friendly1.0 / 5
Toilet facilities2.0 / 5
Pub or café4.0 / 5
Route accuracy4.0 / 5
ClimbingSome climbing
LivestockSome livestock
StilesA few stiles on route
Mud levelWellies when wet

Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Derbyshire Walks app.

First-hand experiences

User reviews

Walker review

Nice route, very boggy when wet. Hermits cave worth a look. Nice pub, the carpenters en route for a bite to eat of drink

Walk information

Dale Abbey Walk 2

Walk distance
5¼ miles
Time
2.5 hours
Route type
Circular

This second route option basically extends the first route and explores more of the countryside around Dale Abbey, following stretches of the Midshires Way through fields, woodland, and gently rolling hills.

The route then returns to the quiet valley of Hermit’s Wood, where you'll find the remarkable rock-cut Hermitage and the ruins of Dale Abbey.

There are a couple of crossings over a busy road, so please be careful here.

Dale Abbey Walk 2 No ratings yet Be the first - rate this walk in the Derbyshire Walks App

Navigate the walks

Derbyshire Walks App

Follow the Dale Abbey walks with GPS guidance

It's like sat-nav, but for footpaths.

Choose a walk and follow the pointer showing your live position on the route map, so you always know you're on the right path.

The app works without a phone signal, so you can keep following the route wherever the walk takes you.

Download the app

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Derbyshire Walks app showing the walker's live position on a route map

Designed to be simple

  • Choose a walk and follow the pointer
  • See your live position on the route map
  • Works without a phone signal
  • Includes 250 Derbyshire walks
  • Free one-month trial
  • Available for iPhone and Android

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Expanded route map for Dale Abbey Walk 1, a 3.5 mile circular walk in Derbyshire