Walk 30: Calver to Eyam

Essentials

Parking

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Route Map

Guidance

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Safety First

Please do not rely on this walking guide to solely navigate the hike. Always take a paper map and compass with you and make sure you know how to use them. Hiking is generally safe, but there are always potential risks. Use common sense, plan your route beforehand and make a reasonable judgment at all times.

Directions

1. From Sough Lane, head north west to the main crossroads of Calver, passing Insomnia coffee shop on the right.
2. Cross over the road and continue along the A623 for about 400 metres. Cross over to the righthand side of the A623 as the footpath on the left of the road runs out after a short way.
3. Upon meeting a small car park on the left that backs onto football fields, take the bridleway, signposted Black Harry Gate, and continue into Coombs Dale.
4. Gently ascend along the track for just short of a mile until meeting a gate on the right, next to the small stream.
5. Head through the gate, taking the steep path up and out of Coombs Dale.
6. Continue on the path up to High Fields, passing the Oarystones, for ¾ mile before eventually dropping down to Middleton Lane. In the early 18^th century, travellers crossing High Fields lonely moors were attacked and robbed by a highwayman who took the name of Black Harry.
7. Turn left along Middleton Lane for about 250 metres to meet a track on the right. Look out for the small demolished Georgian Lime Kiln on the left behind the wall.
8. Take the track down, passing between Darlton Quarry back down to the A623.
9. Cross the A623 and continue up Dale Road towards Eyam. At this point, there is an opportunity to take a small detour and explore the craggy limestone cliffs of Stoney Middleton on the right, with many natural cave formations and mines. Note the path along the cliffs is steep and potentially dangerous – take extra care and avoid if unsure. The limestone is rich in fossils deposited 330 million years ago in shallow, tropical seas when the Peak District was close to the Equator.
10. At Eyam, take Lydgate road just off the square, south, out of the village.
11. Continue on the path, crossing through several stiles, for about 750 metres. Look out for the boundary stone on route. The Boundary Stone acted as a marker separating the residents of the plague affected village of Eyam from the non-affected villagers of Stoney Middleton in 1665. It is here during the plague that money soaked in vinegar (believed to kill the infection) was placed by the villagers of Eyam in exchange for food and medical supplies.
12. Continue down through Stoney Middleton village back to the A623 opposite the Moon pub.
13. Turn left and continue along the A623 for about 800 metres, back to the start point of the walk.

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