8:00 start with 17:30 return
14½ miles (24km) with 1080ft (330m) Total Ascent
The Monsal Trail follows the route of the former Midland Railway line between Buxton and Bakewell, which closed in 1968. For much of its length the Trail lies within the deeply cut valley of the River Wye, with spectacular views across the picturesque limestone landscape of the White Peak. Despite the length, this is an easy walk mostly on good tracks with little in the way of serious climbing.
We start on the A6 just south of the village of Blackwell in the Peak and loop round to Taddington along the Pennine Bridleway and across Sough Top, at 438m/1,437ft one of the highest points in the White Peak. Descending into Wye Dale, we meet the Monsal Trail just east of Chee Tor Long Tunnel (401yds), taking the easy route through the hillside to emerge high above Chee Dale. Chee Tor Short Tunnel (91yds) and Rusher Cutting Tunnel (121yds) follow, then it´s down into the gorge paralleling the railway but below it through the spectacular Chee Dale gorge with stepping stones in the river in places. We climb back onto the Monsal Trail close to where we joined it first time and head downhill through Millers Dale, Litton Tunnel (516yds) and Cressbrook Tunnel (471yds) to Monsal Head and it´s magnificent viaduct, which we cross before plunging into Headstone Tunnel (533yds). The latter part of the Trail passes through the former Great Longstone Station, beyond which we will climb over a couple of hillocks to reach Bakewell.
11 miles (17.7km) with 600ft (183m) Total Ascent
We leave the coach at the White Lodge Picnic area, in bottom of Toddington Dale(GR170705) on A6 Buxton to Bakewell Road. Proceeding through Deep Dale to Bagshaw Dale on edge of Monyash, we soon enter the beautiful Lathkill Dale with its crystal clear stream running through it. Climbing out of Dale at Raper Lodge, we find an old building once used in a D H Lawrence film set in the past. Proceeding to Haddon Hall, we conclude the walk along the River Wye to Bakewell and tarts.
10 miles (16.09km) with 1000ft (305m) Total Ascent
From Bakewell we cross the golf course and climb up to Calton Pastures. Heading east and then north we reach the quaint village of Edensor. We proceed from there to Chatsworth House and the Derwent Valley Heritage Way which we follow south, through Calton Lees, to Rowsley. Here we turn north along a bridleway, then a farm track and, finally, a disused railway back into Bakewell.
5.37 miles (8.6km) with 397ft (121m) Total Ascent
Setting off from the Coach Park in Bakewell we cross the River Wye and follow footpaths to the A6. After crossing with care, we have a short steepish climb to a stile from where a path takes us to a very muddy wood. A field path now takes us down to a footbridge and a short steep climb to some cultivated fields. We cross these on some spray tracks (hardened ground).
Most of our climbing is now over and we follow more field paths down to the A6 at Haddon Hall. A short road walk (pavement) brings us to a path down to the Wye which we follow for some distance to a wood. At the end of the wood is one end of the Monsal Trail. Another mile brings us to the path down to Bakewell where ther are plenty of pubs if the cafés are closing. Melting snow (more is a possibility!) meant some soggy and muddy places! PS: Just one real stile!
