Dovedale to Ilam Rock | Wild Swim | Hiking | Peak District | Wild Swimming

Walk besides the river Dove for just over 2 miles before getting to Ilam Rock which is a great wild swimming spot. I parked in Dovedale car park, where there are toilets and depending on when you visit, there are usually some refreshments here too. It's easy to see why this is one of the of the Peak District's most popular spots.
I would say this walk is suitable for most people in dry conditions, but please be aware that the stepping stones can sometimes become flooded after heavy rainfall, making it very difficult to get by.

[@AlanMETALMAN]

Looked a ice walk in and someone has gone to a lot ot trouble putting in that boardwalk along the riverbank, very well done to them. Impressive how you went straight into the water, must have been baltic, even in mid summer when I go in I have to acclimatize myself first 🥶. Oh Mrs Metalman loves a hot cranberry drink on a cold day too, good to see you back out again, cheers Alan

[@barefoot_ventures]

Thankyou Alan, yes you definitely get used to the cold water though, I find it easier to just get in and get swimming. A lovely spot, and hot cranberry is the best on a cold hike!! 😁😁 very pretty part of the peaks! 🤩

[@martinprice8935]

You should do a video on Lumsdale Falls at Matlock. It’s only a short walk but the waterfalls are spectacular and I’m sure it would be a great excuse to get your swim suit out 🤣. The falls aren’t open at the weekend, only in the week at the moment. Great channel btw, keep up the good work. 👍

[@geroldsss]

Thanks for the video 🙏🏻 A nice surprise before going to bed 🛏️ The Peak District is very beautiful 🤗

[@barefoot_ventures]

Thankyou.. it really is 🤩🤩

[@ervinslens]

What a scenery my friend, this place looks stunning. 🔥🔥 Enjoyable and beautifully edited 🔥

[@barefoot_ventures]

Thankyou very much.. when a place looks this good, the editing is always minimal 🤩

[@tonypilki3]

What stunning scenery! Looks a beautiful place to explore. I had to Google map the location as I need educating in regards to the Peak District. Spend most of my spare time in the Lakes. Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@barefoot_ventures]

It’s a beautiful place.. as is the lakes. No problem, glad you enjoyed 😁

[@nozynoz]

Cheers for that. it looks like a lovely walk. Me and the Dog, will be definitely going to take a visit and camping. ❤

[@barefoot_ventures]

Enjoy 😁

[@totalwalker]

Awesome 💯! Your video just made my day, thank you for sharing it.

[@barefoot_ventures]

Ahhh that’s very kind of you, thankyou so much 😁

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

I loved the hike, but as for the swim, there is no way I'd get in there.😳 I bet it was definitely 'fresh,' to say the least. But kudos for doing it, Char. Thanks for sharing.

[@barefoot_ventures]

Thankyou very much.. always fresh.. even on hot days, but the afterbuzz makes it worth it 🤩🤩

[@philippeengammare6253]

You know, in Scandinavia, if the water IS iced, they dig a hole and they dive.

[@TheRudymentryGuide]

Nice little hike. May need to check that area out!

[@barefoot_ventures]

You’ll love it 🤩

[@jaydenprince563]

Never been to the Peak District but it looks so incredibly similar to the Lake District. Thanks for sharing.

[@barefoot_ventures]

Yes both are beautiful, the Lake District just much higher.. everything seems bigger up there 🤩

[@thomascooney6644]

Peak District certainly distinctive

[@wrongun635]

Very nice indeed. Subscribed. 😉

[@barefoot_ventures]

Yayyyy thankssss

[@worldcooking]

Beautiful video! pleasant hikes in admirable places and swimming.

[@barefoot_ventures]

Thankyouu

[@NatureTheratree]

Awesome im gonna wait until it warms up to get back to wild swimming!

[@barefoot_ventures]

The rivers aren’t going anywhere are they.. and will be amazing when you do 😁

[@stephentunstall4560]

So nice around dovedale, I guess where you swim is about 4 ft deep, do you have to be careful where you put your feet in river's, ? The Peak District is a nice attraction, and so are you, lovely vid, will send you a coffee treat very soon, appreciation for all your great vids and pics 🥰

[@barefoot_ventures]

I usually have shoes on so don’t usually worry too much about where I put my feet, although you really don’t want to be kicking rocks.. it’s nasty. A lovely area.. and yes about 4ft I’d say, i always prefer to be able to stand up.. just incase things get sketchy.. for safety 😁😁 Thankyou so much.. that is very kind of you.. hope you have a wonderful week 🙃

[@whippetsadventuresandoneman]

Looks incredible magical place ❤❤ been a few times to the Peak District but never came to see this beautiful place ❤ looked such amazing swim, big warm hugs to be swimming in this temperature 😍 lovely vlog, hope you had such incredible weekend ❤❤

[@barefoot_ventures]

Thankyou so much. Yes the Peak District is full of gems, and it’s hard to know where exactly to go when you’re new to the area. Thanks, hope you did too 😁

[@whippetsadventuresandoneman]

@@barefoot_ventures yes it’s a defiantly area I need to explore more off :) yes thank you was a nice weekend :) 🤗♥️

[@davidmcgough6462]

I went to Dovedale 4 months ago Thorpe Cloud Stepping Stones Lovers Leap & thank you for showing me Ilam Rock definitely need the Hot Cranberry after your swim.

[@barefoot_ventures]

So much to see on this stretch of the river isn’t there.. it’s a gorgeous spot 🤩

[@ahoyleisure]

Love this, walked here loads but never swam. Such a great spot x

[@barefoot_ventures]

Maybe you’ll fancy a swim next time.. but if not still a beautiful place to visit or for a picnic 🥰

[@ahoyleisure]

@@barefoot_ventures I’m determined to get more dips in this year and make the walks about the swim. Have a peek at our latest video. We went in the mini loch at the top of the old man of Storr on Skye last week but it was so cold. How long does it take for the body to adapt? Pretty funny the sea was better. 😂😂😂

[@robertbarlow6359]

It is a beautiful place. I remember cycling there, from tamworth, with a school friend back in 1990. I still cycle so definitely wouldn't mind doing it again. It's amazing how the landscape changes so much once north of Ashbourne. I've been a couple of times since and there's quite a few caves.

[@barefoot_ventures]

Yes lots of caves on this valley! Ooooh maybe you should.. relive the childhood 🤓

[@robertbarlow6359]

@@barefoot_ventures Definitely, I'm fit enough. It's a 40 mile ride. I did a 30 miler last year. I know a chap in his mid 60s who does 60 mile bike rides.

[@FabianPatscheider-zu7iq]

Maus. Ldch. ❤❤❤❤😊

[@LakeDistrictcyclist]

What an amazing place 😊

[@barefoot_ventures]

😁😁

[@davidbruceconn9214]

Beautiful place for a brisk swim!

[@barefoot_ventures]

Absolutely it is 😁

[@marksingleton5176]

Wow wow what a place char, have you a postcode for were you parked on this trip, many thanks visit is needed thank you for sharing 🎉🎉🎉

[@barefoot_ventures]

Heyyy.. No I don’t, but if you Google ‘dovedale car park’ it should come up. Enjoy 😁

[@marksingleton5176]

@@barefoot_ventures brilliant thank you char

[@marcusrichards6588]

OMG. Looks so cold. I know the area well and its so busy! What time were you there when no-one about!!

[@barefoot_ventures]

It is usually so busy.. I must have just got lucky this day 😁😁

[@marcusharris581]

Staying very near there in August, will deffo copy you !

[@barefoot_ventures]

You enjoy yourself 🙃

[@christopherkn917]

Awesome 👌

[@barefoot_ventures]

Thankyouuuu

[@FabianPatscheider-zu7iq]

❤❤❤❤

[@barefoot_ventures]

😁

[@mrdodger7115]

Love it there so beautiful

[@barefoot_ventures]

Yes it is 🥰

[@Rammmedieval]

I'm definitely visiting this location.

[@barefoot_ventures]

Yesssss enjoy!

[@chrishiking8818]

Such a beautiful area

[@barefoot_ventures]

So beautiful 🤩

[@successblueprintinstitute]

The views ain’t bad either 😅

[@crazy_spirit_of_a_life529]

Merveilleux, gratitude

[@barefoot_ventures]

😁

[@henry9406]

I would have struggled to take my coat off 😂 let alone getting in the water , I’ll wait till summer 👍🙏🥂

[@barefoot_ventures]

Hehe!! It gets easier 😁😁

[@maakeklein4073]

It's always summertime when you cold bathe!

[@HRM62]

What is the temperature of the water?

[@barefoot_ventures]

Didn’t test it..

[@user-ml4tz7nk5t]

It's cold, but I can wear it well. I can't do it myself.

[@barefoot_ventures]

😀

[@thomascooney6644]

Quick March

[@barefoot_ventures]

The reason I usually walk alone.. people moan that I walk too fast 💨

[@FabianPatscheider-zu7iq]

Maus ödich les ling❤❤❤❤❤

[@barefoot_ventures]

😁

[@andrescarrillo4784]

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 🤩🤩🤩😉😊

[@barefoot_ventures]

Delish spot isn’t it 🤩

[@philippeengammare6253]

If you swim with a swimsuit, it's not so wild.

[@barefoot_ventures]

Oh