THE LIMEY WAY

Running almost from the end of the Pennine Way, in a north to south direction to the ‘Derbyshire plain’, is an extensive limestone dale system. Lovers of the Peak District will know of Dovedale and Monsal Dale, but there are more than 100 other ones. In June 1969 I set off from Castleton, the northernmost outcrop of limestone, and walked south via 18 dales to Dovedale.

I was immediately struck by the beauty of the different dales. Some had swift-flowing rivers with steep limestone buttress sides. Others were dry and more open, but always with lush vegetation and an abundance of wildlife and a profusion of flowers. Surprisingly, apart from Monsal Dale and Dovedale, I saw no-one and enjoyed a long walk away from the cares and worries of modern life.

The 1970's saw a rapid growth in walking, and many people wrote to me asking for a route to walk as a challenge. I amended my original route, for it was now possible to walk through other dales which originally had no right of ways, such asMonks’ Dale. Rather than end the walk at Dovedale i decided, masochistically, to end at Thorpe, thus including a 20th dele but also a climb at the end of aforty-mile_ walk.

Since my first book on the walk I have received hundreds of letters from peoplewho followed my footsteps. Thankfully, all the letters have been complimentary! In this book i have totally upgraded all the information and walking instructions, hopefully making it even easier to walk. The maps are totally new and should give even greater details of the route. 

The walk is still one of my favourites, and one that I walk at least once a year in training! Whilst many people complete the walk in a day, 15 hours, there is no urgency to do so. There are hostels, campsites, and bed and breakfast establishments on or close to the route, making the walk a very enjoyable weekend walk.
However you do it, and whatever season, I hope you enjoy walking down some of England’s choicest scenery.

Happy walking!

PS. I had a letter recently from someone who had walked the Limey Way. He left Castleton on Saturday morning and reached Thorpe that evening. He had enjoyed it so much that he walked back to Castleton the next day! Some even combine my Limey Way and Rivers’ Way together, making a magnificent 90 mile circular walk.

A5. signed by John Merrill.

Embroidered cloth badges and certificates available for the walk in 24 hours (Red badge) and 48 hours (Green badge).

Walkers names added to the Walkers Roll of Honour page.