Thor's Cave and the Manifold Valley Walk

A 5.5 mile Peak District walk starting from the village of Wetton.

Start: SK 10909 55179, DE6 2AF
Map: Landranger 119, Explorer OL24
Difficulty: 5
Refreshments : Wetton and Wetton Mill

This Peak District walk starting from Wetton explores the hills and dales either side of the Manifold Valley. First we visit the rocky tor above Thor’s Cave with views over to Ladyside Wood, Grindon and north along the Manifold Trail to Wetton Mill and beyond. The walk then descends to view Thor’s Cave with its massive 60ft high entrance before descending further to the Manifold Valley Cycle Trail. The River Manifold is often dry here as it sinks down swallow holes reappearing a few miles away at Ilam.

We then cross the trail and continue our walk through Ladyside Wood with stunning views back to Thor’s Cave and onto Grindon. While exploring the hill top village of Grindon look out for the Rindle Stone near All Saints Church.

Our walk then descends via Waterslacks back to the Manifold Valley and Wetton Mill. Wetton Mill is in an attractive riverside setting on the banks of the River Manifold, the popular tearoom located here serves hot and cold food with both an indoor and outdoor seating area. The walk continues over the hill behind Wetton Mill but before heading off into the ‘hidden’ valley be sure to take a look around Nan Tor cave. The valley is unseen from Wetton Mill but is located between Wetton Hill and Sugarloaf and leads to back of Ecton. The walk continues up Wetton Hill, look out for the Paragliders as you ascend the hill back to Wetton.

Photo Gallery

Looking down on the Manifold Trail from above Thor's Cave

Manifold Valley from Thor's Tor

Ossoms Hill from Thor's Cave

A Mysterious Arch

Looking through the archway from within a small cave. There are a number of small caves above Thor's Cave. This is one of the smaller ones

Inside the Mysterious Arch

Inside Thor's Cave

The path below Thor's Cave

Thor's Cave from Ladyside Wood

Hawthorn Blossom in Ladyside Wood

Ladyside Wood

Approaching Grindon

Near the church is the Rindle Stone, a Rindle is a stream which only flows during wet weather. The stone bears the inscription "The Lord of the Manor of Grindon established his right to this Rindle at Stafford Assizes on March 17th 1862 "

All Saints Church, Grindon

A Cornflower growing near the Old Rectory, Grindon

Waterslacks

This is the place were the Manifold disappears underground during dry summer weather. The river sinks down swallow-holes reappearing 4 miles away at Ilam Hall.

Wetton Mill

Interior of Wetton Mill Tea Room

The Hidden Valley

Back of Ecton from Wetton Hill

A cottage garden in Wetton

Thor’s Cave and the Manifold Valley Walk Directions

The walk starts from the car park in Wetton and follows a permissive path to the tor above Thor’s Cave. (Beware steep drops). After exploring the the area above the cave descend down to the cave itself and finally to the Manifold Trail.

Cross the trail and over a stile into Ladyside Wood. Follow the way marked route to Grindon. On reaching Grindon head for the church. Adjacent to the church a track leads down to Ossoms Hill Farm, before reaching the farm turn left along a bridleway this descends the lower slopes of Ossoms Hill. On reaching the stream turn right along Waterslacks to Wetton Mill.

At the back of Wetton Mill a path leads up over the hill and down into a hidden valley below Wetton Hill. Bear left along the path between Wetton Hill on the right and Sugarloaf on the left.

At the tarmac lane turn right over a stone stile and ascend the slope of Wetton Hill, keeping the wall to your right. Follow this obvious path back to Wetton.