Ecton Hill and the Manifold Valley Walk

A 6.5 mile Peak District walk starting from Wetton.

Start: SK 10909 55179, DE6 2AF
Map: Landranger 119, Explorer OL24
Difficulty: 8
Refreshments : Wetton and Wetton Mill

Wetton Location Map

Route Map

This Peak District walk starts in the village of Wetton and explores Ecton Hill before descending down to the Manifold Valley returning along the Manifold Trail via Thor’s Cave back to Wetton.

Known locally as the Hollow Hill, the extensive workings for copper and lead on Ecton Hill took place from the Bronze Age right up until the late 19th Century. During its heyday in the late 18th century it was reputed to have the deepest mine shaft in the country. Take heed of the warning notices as you head out onto the hill as there are many hazardous shafts and hollows.

The Manifold Trail runs through the Manifold Valley and follows the route of the old Leek and Manifold Light Railway. This walk takes us through Swainsley Tunnel and onto Wetton Mill. Wetton Mill is the place where the Manifold disappears underground during dry summer weather. The mill once used for grinding corn is a popular spot on the banks of the River Manifold, not least because of the tearoom, a favourite with all not matter how they arrive. A little further along on our walk we come to the footpath that leads up to Thor’s Cave with its mighty 60ft high entrance standing 360ft above the River Manifold.

Ecton Hill and the Manifold Valley Photo Gallery

Stone stile on Wetton HillStone stile on Wetton Hill
Stone stile on Wetton Hill
Ecton Hill from Wetton HillEcton Hill from Wetton Hill
Ecton Hill from Wetton Hill
Wetton Hill from Ecton HillWetton Hill from Ecton Hill
Wetton Hill from Ecton Hill
Ecton Hill. The right of way is to the extreme right of the picture but there is a well worn path that leads straight ahead to the summit trig pointEcton Hill. The right of way is to the extreme right of the picture but there is a well worn path that leads straight ahead to the summit trig point
Ecton Hill
Hartington from Ecton HillHartington from Ecton Hill
Hartington from Ecton Hill
Ecton Hill Engine House. The mines here were worked from the 17th-19th centuries, the main 1,400 ft shaft was the deepest ever sunkEcton Hill Engine House. The mines here were worked from the 17th-19th centuries, the main 1,400 ft shaft was the deepest ever sunk
Ecton Hill Engine House
Winding Shaft, Ecton Hill. There are a number of mines on Ecton Hill, please resist the temptation to throw stones down the shaft as they do have visitors at times and even a small stone dropping many feet could cause an injuryWinding Shaft, Ecton Hill. There are a number of mines on Ecton Hill, please resist the temptation to throw stones down the shaft as they do have visitors at times and even a small stone dropping many feet could cause an injury
Winding Shaft, Ecton Hill
Ecton and the Manifold Valley from Ecton HillEcton and the Manifold Valley from Ecton Hill
Ecton and the Manifold Valley
The mysterious Castle Folly at Ecton before restorationThe mysterious Castle Folly at Ecton before restoration
Castle Folly at Ecton c. 2004
The Manifold Trail near EctonThe Manifold Trail near Ecton
The Manifold Trail near Ecton
Swainsley TunnelSwainsley Tunnel
Swainsley Tunnel
Inside Swainsley TunnelInside Swainsley Tunnel
Inside Swainsley Tunnel
Looking over the Manifold Valley north of Wetton MilLooking over the Manifold Valley north of Wetton Mil
Manifold Valley
Nan Tor Cave and the bridge over the River Manifold at Wetton MillNan Tor Cave and the bridge over the River Manifold at Wetton Mill
Nan Tor Cave and River Manifold at Wetton Mill
Nan Tor Cave above Wetton MillNan Tor Cave above Wetton Mill
Nan Tor Cave above Wetton Mill
Wetton Mill from the Manifold TrailWetton Mill from the Manifold Trail
Wetton Mill from the Manifold Trail
The Manifold Valley south of Wetton MillThe Manifold Valley south of Wetton Mill
The Manifold Valley south of Wetton Mill
The River Manifold shortly before it disappears underground to reappear at Ilam HallThe River Manifold shortly before it disappears underground to reappear at Ilam Hall
The River Manifold and Manifold Trail
The hidden valley and Sugarloaf from the Manifold TrailThe hidden valley and Sugarloaf from the Manifold Trail
Sugarloaf from the Manifold Trail
Walkers on the Manifold Trail below Thor's CaveWalkers on the Manifold Trail below Thor's Cave
Walkers on the Manifold Trail below Thor's Cave
Thor's Cave from the Manifold Cycle TrackThor's Cave from the Manifold Cycle Track
Thor's Cave from the Manifold Cycle Track
The footbridge leading off the cycle track up to Thors Cave and onto the village of WettonThe footbridge leading off the cycle track up to Thors Cave and onto the village of Wetton
Footbridge, River Manifold, Manifold Trail

Ecton Hill and the Manifold Valley Walk Directions

The walk starts at the small car park in the centre of Wetton. Turn left out of the car park and left again past the pub and the church at the bend in the road keep straight ahead onto a tarmac path. At the stile follow the path sign posted ‘Back of Ecton’. Descend to the right of Wetton Hill, eventually crossing a small stream and up over fields through a small copse and onto a minor road. Where the road divides take the higher road and immediately turn right to follow the path to the top of Ecton Hill. The right of way skirts the trig point on the top of the hill to the right. Descend Ecton Hill keeping to the right of the barn ahead a follow the permissive path through woods to Ecton House and the road beyond. Cross the road and turn left along the disused railway line, now part of the Manifold Valley Cycleway.  At the tunnel a very quite minor road joins the path, follow this all the way to Wetton Mill. At Wetton Mill there are toilets and a cafe (Closed in the week during the winter). Proceed along the path, not through the ford and where the road crosses the path continue on along the cycleway until reaching the foot of Thors Cave. Follow the signs to the cave, for Wetton retrace your steps but do not descend but follow the path that rises slightly back to Wetton.

Copyright © Peter Cox. All rights reserved