Chee Dale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chee Dale |
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Stepping stones in Chee Dale
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| Geography | |
| Location | Derbyshire, England |
| Rivers | River Wye, Derbyshire |
Chee Dale is a beautiful, deep valley (called a gorge) in the Peak District of England. It's located in Derbyshire, close to the town of Buxton, and the River Wye flows through it.
The valley continues upstream towards Buxton and downstream to Miller's Dale village.
Contents
Discover Chee Dale's Nature
Chee Dale is home to a special nature reserve near the village of Wormhill. The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust helps to protect this area.
Amazing Plants and Trees
You can find many types of trees here, like ash and yew. The cliffs are covered in beautiful wild flowers such as cowslips, early purple orchids, and the rare Jacob's ladder.
Wildlife You Might See
Keep an eye out for dippers! These birds often fly low over the river and bob on rocks. Other birds that nest in the valley include blackcaps, chiffchaffs, and willow warblers. Chee Dale is part of a larger protected area called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Explore the Trails and Tunnels
The Monsal Trail is a popular path for walking, cycling, and horse riding. It runs for about 8.5 miles (13.7 km) from the start of Chee Dale to Rowsley. This trail follows an old railway line.
Journey Through Tunnels
As you travel along the Monsal Trail, you'll pass through Upper Chee Dale. You'll then go through two old railway tunnels, Chee Tor Tunnels 1 and 2, before reaching Miller's Dale.
Riverside Walks and Stepping Stones
There's also a lovely footpath right along the River Wye in Chee Dale. You'll cross several wooden footbridges. In some places, you can even walk across the river using fun stepping stones at the bottom of the cliffs!
Rock Climbing Adventures
The tall, strong cliffs in Chee Dale are made of carboniferous limestone. These cliffs are very popular for rock climbing. You can find many different climbing routes here, especially in Upper Chee Dale and on the famous Chee Tor cliff.
Getting to Chee Dale
It can be a bit tricky to get into this deep valley. The easiest way for visitors is to park at the Miller's Dale car park.
Other Access Points
At the western end of Chee Dale, there's a small parking area (layby) by the A6 road. You can also find a short, steep footpath leading into Chee Dale from the village of Wormhill.
