steps acrOss the river

Just before Chee Tor No. 2 tunnel, a narrow footpath leads off to the left, one of several off the main trail that are worth exploring, with the bike safely locked to the fence. This particular footpath leads more deeply into the woods, where the music of birdsong and wind-shaken leaves is joined by the gurgle and splash of the young river. Upstream, a small wooden footbridge crosses the slow-flowing water to follow a path close to the banks. Downstream, another bridge crosses the water as it quickens, shortly joining a narrow path, which clings to the overhanging cliffs until the river widens. Here, it is taken up by a line of carefully-placed, square stepping stones.