32. Hartington, Longnor and the Manifold Trail
- Map: Explorer OL24 The Peak District
- Time: 4.5 hours
- Distance: 17.2km/11 miles
- Ascent:280m
- Inset: Brund Mill, Manifold Valley
Pastoral wanderings around the upper Dove and Manifold rivers.
Start at Hartington SK127602 PAD carpark or park in the village if you can find space. Hartington is a popular starting point for groups and individuals intending to explore Dovedale. From the carpark walk north through the village, follow the road as it bends right and take the minor road on the left at a cross roads before the church. Follow the road for about 900m to a farm where the road bends right and take the footpath on the left signed Pilsbury.
Follow the footpath across many fields and stiles and after about 3km enter a shallow valley. At the bottom of the valley turn left, cross a small road and continue in the same general direction towards Crowdicote passing Pilsbury to your left. After about 500m pass Pilsbury Castle mott and bailey fort built on a reef limeston knoll. The date is uncertail but may have been built sometime after the Norman conquest in 1066. Continue for a further 2km to Bridge End Farm, pass through the farm and turn left towards the River Dove. Cross the footbridge, turn right and walk across a field to reach a minor road. Turn left and walk uphill into Longnor.
Longnor village contains many pubs and cafés. About 100m before the village square a green signpost on the left directs one onto the Manifold Trail. Follow this well-signed trail, sometimes in sight of the river, across several fields for about 3km to a small road near the village of Brund. Take the road straight ahead signposed Sheen, and after a sharp bend take a broad lane on the left which leads across the fields to the village of Sheen. At the road turn right and then left past the Youth Hostal and follow a broad farm track for 800m. Where it swings left ross a stile on the right, cross a field taking the right hand of two paths, pass through a stile and down a narrow defile. The village of Hartington now comes into view. Keep to the footpath (don't turn right to the farm), cross a footbridge and continue past the cheese factory into Hartington. The village is well-stocked with pubs, cafés and other tourist attractions, turn right to return to the carpark.