Ilam

Ilam is another useful base for interesting walks, particularly as it is home to a Youth Hostel located within a National Trust property, Ilam Hall. There is also a half-decent hotel if you prefer. The most common walking route along Dovedale, follows the river from the village until it reaches the stepping stones. At that point you need to decide whether to turn right for a shortish walk back over the moor via Thorpe, or left to continue along the river with the subsequent choice of a very steep uphill climb known as Jacob's Ladder and back over the hills or a less strenuous, but much longer route back via Stanshope. Oops! I just realised that Ilam, whilst still in the Peak District, is technically in Staffordshire, although Derby post code! I suspect that the river is in any case the boundary with Derbyshire so if you cross over the stepping stones, your walk will be half in that county. However, until I get round to producing a section on that county it will just have to stay here.