The Cave Dale Walk is among my favourite easy hikes in the Peak District. In this guide, I share a family-friendly circular walk to Cave Dale, as well as all the essential info you’ll need before visiting.
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Cave Dale Walk at a Glance
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Cave Dale Walk FAQs
How to Get There
Cave Dale is located in the Hope Valley. It’s considered one of the hidden gems of Castleton, one of the Peak District’s most beautiful villages.
There is plenty of parking for Cave Dale around Castleton, including this spot on Buxton Road. It’s free to park here, whereas other car parks charge up to £7 a day.
Getting here by public transport is also doable. The 272 bus runs between Sheffield and Castleton, and the 200 runs from Chapel-en-le-Frith. The closest railway station to Cave Dale is in Edale.
Cave Dale Walk Map
Cave Dale Walk Difficulty
This is one of the easier Peak District walks, and hiking Cave Dale is suitable for all the family. There are no crazy inclines or dangerous drop-offs, so you can relax and enjoy the adventure.
The terrain is mostly gravelly, with some rocky sections as you advance through the valley. These areas can get slippery, but with the proper footwear, there is little to be concerned about.
Other Things Worth Knowing
Dogs: The entirety of Cave Dale trail is dog-friendly.
Kids: This Cave Dale walk is suitable for kids of all ages.
Pushchair/Wheelchair Access: This route is not accessible with a pushchair or wheelchair.
Footwear: Supportive footwear with a good grip is a hiking essential for this walk.
Facilities: There are pubs, toilets, picnic benches, cafes and other facilities in Castleton.
Map: It’s always good to have a map handy. We use All Trails.
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Our Experience on the Cave Dale Walk
We parked at this free parking area on Buxton Road and followed the road into Castleton village. We enjoyed the pretty houses and eyed up the local cafes for coffee and cake on the way back.
There are signs for Cave Dale throughout the village, so it was easy to find the trail. Follow the entrance into the valley, which opens up to reveal epic limestone cliffs towering above.
The views are spectacular all along the trail, with the Peveril Castle ruins visible on the right. There’s a noticeable incline, but nothing that anybody of reasonable fitness can’t handle.
Follow the trail until you see a stone wall on your right-hand side. A trail will lead you down a wide grassy track in the direction of Castleton Village before joining a marked path for the final stretch.
Remember to reward yourself in Castleton with a coffee and cake at one of the cafes. Or a nice cold pint in one of the villages plentiful pubs! Happy hiking!
Enjoy this Cave Dale Walk!
I hope you enjoy this Cave Dale Walk as much as we did. If you’re visiting the area soon, you might find some of our Peak District articles helpful.
If you have any questions, please ask. Otherwise, I wish you happy and safe travels.
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