Limestone Way Ultra & Half
Route Description

Limestone Way Ultra & Half | Route Description

From the start in the market town of Ashbourne “The Gateway to the Peaks” the route heads north initially through the old railway tunnel (lit) then on the Tissington Trail (an old railway line, now converted into a path/cycle track). Approx 1 mile north of Tissington the views of the White Peak really start to open up and the route leaves the trail behind and heads east across fields before arriving in the village of Parwich (10 km). The route then continues to head eastwards with easy running across a mixture of fields and country lanes with plenty of big, wide, open views that should keep you inspired.

Cross the high ground of Bonsall Moor then arrive near the small village of Bonsall (manned checkpoint/feed station 1 at 22 km/13 miles – cut off time 10.30am), which has a long history of lead mining, evidence of which can be seen at various places on the route in this area. At Bonsall the route takes a ‘sharp’ turn and heads roughly northwards then west towards the next Peakland village on the route: Winster. Approx 1 km before Winster look northwards from the ridge and there is an absolutely stunning view all the way up the Derwent Valley – in the distance you can see Chatsworth Park, plus in the background the Derbyshire Edges just to the west of Sheffield.

From Winster, the route (at the 30 km mark) then passes The Hermit’s Cave and Robin Hood’s Stride (the latter being an interesting gritstone rock formation and definitely worth another visit when you have more time) before Youlgreave is encountered and a superb riverside path is taken in Bradford Dale – this really is what trail running in the White Peak is all about! Nature at its very best. A bit of a climb follows and after a few more undulations with some wide open views, plus the rocky Cales Dale section, you’re in yet another lovely Peak District village called Monyash – the location of the manned checkpoint 2 at the village hall which is at a distance of 42 km/26 miles – cut off time 1.00pm. Monyash Village Hall is also the start point for the “Half” route.

Continuing northwards again with easy trail running on a mixture of field paths and country lanes, the route climbs very steadily onto Taddington Moor – look back southwards from the summit and the views are very impressive across virtually the whole of the White Peak. Cross the main A6 by the Waterloo Inn (long route 48 km, short route 7 km) and the landscape just starts to change a bit now as we head towards the northern part of the Peak Park, known as the Dark Peak. A long drop from the A6 brings the route into Miller’s Dale – in the valley look out for the Monsal Trail and the huge old railway viaduct (this was the old Midland Railway line which closed in 1965) – the Monsal Trail is now a very popular cycling/walking route.

After dropping into Miller’s Dale and crossing the River Wye and the main road, there’s now the inevitable steady climb out, this time on the Pennine Bridleway. Follow this to Wheston then drop to Dale Head before running along one of the ‘jewels’ of the whole Limestone Way route: Hay Dale. Sublime, smooth, scenic, flat – perfect trail running in fact! Dam Dale follows which is a little bit rougher but still stunning. The next manned checkpoint (checkpoint 3 for the long route) is now not far away at the hamlet of Peak Forest situated at a distance of long route 59 km, half route 17 km.

Leaving Peak Forest behind we’re now steadily climbing onto the top of Old Moor which is the highest point on the route at 422 m – it’s not the Alps but if you’re doing the long route your legs will now definitely know you’ve done quite a bit of climbing since Ashbourne! Once again the views open up before you and the high moorlands of the Dark Peak are right ahead; our route however doesn’t go that far and the final descent towards the finish begins. From a ‘five way’ paths junction, head down the bridleway towards Castleton via Cave Dale – it’s grassy, fast, easy running to start with but nearer the bottom it becomes very steep and rocky for 300-400 m so take extra care particularly on tired legs!

Near the bottom of the dale look up to your left to see the impressive 11th Century Peveril Castle which overlooks Castleton and the Hope Valley. The path pops out onto the road in the village of Castleton which is a real tourist ‘honeypot’ and world famous for its show caves and caverns – this point is officially the end of the Limestone Way (long route 66 km, half route 24 km) but the actual finish venue for our run is at Hope Sports Club just down the valley. A quick jog through the town then it’s another 2.5 km of easy running on field paths (i.e. avoiding the very busy main road) and finally on pavements through Hope village, bringing you to the finish and some welcome food and endless cups of tea!

The finish closes (promptly!) at 5.30pm.

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