Monsal Trail walks
These walks either start from the Monsal Trail, or cross it at some point along the way. They range between 2 – 14 miles in length. And since they’re all in the picturesque White Peak, none of them will be difficult, although there maybe a few steepish slopes, and probably some mud in winter. So walking shoes or boots are always a good idea, and maybe even a walking pole.
2-4 mile walks | 5-7 mile walks | 8+ mile walks
Walk maps | Relives | GPX files
27. Topley Pike > Tunstead
An 8-mile walk from Topley Pike lay-by to Tunstead, the largest limestone quarry in the UK, passing along the River Wye and over two sets of stepping stones, and returning through picturesque Woodale.
26. Miller’s Dale wild flowers
A short 2-mile stroll from Miller’s Dale Station following the ‘Wild Flowers Walk’ along the border of Priestcliffe Nature Reserve. There’s a bit of a climb but it’s well worth the effort for the views.
25. Miller’s Dale > Brushfield
A 5-mile stroll from Miller’s Dale Station through some glorious White Peak countryside, passing the hamlet of Brushfield to reach picturesque High Dale, and returning by Priestcliffe.
24. Bakewell > RH Stride
This 14 mile walk from Bakewell includes two Neolithic stone circles, a hermit’s cave, one of Derbyshire’s most historic country houses, and the bizarre rock carvings of an eccentric 18th century vicar.
23. Hassop Station > Eyam
At 11 miles this walk from Hassop Station to the plague village of Eyam is one of the longest in the series, but also one of the most fascinating, featuring a highwayman, film star and heroic vicar.
22. Hassop > Longstone Edge
A walk of just under 5 miles from Hassop Station through the village of Great Longstone and up to Longstone Edge with its panoramic views across the landscape, returning along field paths.
21. Litton > Cressbrook Dale
An 8-mile walk from the pretty village of Litton through two of the White Peak’s most picturesque dales – Tideswell and Cressbrook – returning past one of Derbyshire’s most gruesome landmarks.
20. White Lodge > Monsal Da.
A fairly easy 5.5-mile walk from White Lodge carpark, through Great Shacklow Wood and along the River Wye to the picturesque village of Ashford-in-the-Water, returning through Monsal Dale.
19. Miller’s Dale > Monk’s Dale
This 5.5-mile walk from Miller’s Dale includes some wonderfully scenic paths, but the short section through Monk’s Dale can be quite challenging, although well worth the effort.
18. Monsal Head > Longstones
There are some wonderful views on this 6-mile walk from Monsal Head up to the site of a Bronze Age burial mound at the highest point of Longstone Moor, before returning through Great Longstone.
17. Ashford > Churchdale
An easy 3-mile walk from the picture-postcard village of Ashford-in-the-Water to the Monsal Trail, returning through picturesque Churchdale and recorded during the village’s well-dressing week.
16. Hassop Station > Bakewell
A gentle 4-mile stroll from Hassop Station down to the popular town of Bakewell, famed for its puddings, returning along the Monsal Trail, with many opportunities for refreshments along the way.
15. Miller’s Dale > Tideswell
From Miller’s Dale, this walk of just over seven miles passes through picturesque Tideswell Dale before heading across a mix of fields, lanes and tracks to reach Wormhill, returning along the River Wye.
14. Bakewell > Chatsworth
A 7-mile walk from the Peak District’s most popular town to its most popular tourist attraction, across some wonderfully scenic paths, tracks and open fields, returning through the village of Edensor.
13. Bakewell > Rowsley
Eight miles through some glorious White Peak countryside, from Bakewell at the eastern end of the Monsal Trail to Rowsley, returning along a section of the Derwent Valley Heritage Way.
12. Topley Pike > Wormhill
A 5-mile stroll from Topley Pike lay-by, a few miles from Buxton beside the A6 to Bakewell, along tracks and fields to Blackwell and then north to Wormhill, returning along the Monsal Trail.
11. Monsal Head > Ashford
A very easy 4-mile circular walk from Monsal Head to Ashford with an option to enjoy the wonderful views from the Iron Age settlement at Fin Cop, perched high above Monsal Dale.
10. Hassop Station > Ashford
This very easy 6-mile walk from Hassop Station crosses some wonderfully picturesque White Peak contryside to reach the equally scenic village of Ashford-in-the-Water, lying beside the River Wye.
9. Miller’s Dale > 5 Wells Tomb
A 6-mile walk across the White Peak from a once-busy Victorian railway station to Britain’s highest Neolithic burial tomb where our ancient ancestors once buried their honoured dead.
8. Wyedale > Buxton
The biggest problem with the Trail is that it stops about three miles short of Buxton. But there is a 9-mile walk that will take you through two attractive dales to reach the famous Georgian spa town.
7. Wyedale > Chelmorton
A mix of picturesque riverside paths and open White Peak countryside on this 8-mile circular walk from Wyedale carpark through Chee Dale – with two sets of stepping stones – and on to Chelmorton.
6. Miller’s Dale > High Dale
Starting from Miller’s Dale Station, this walk of just under 7-miles crosses a mix of narrow paths, open fields and farm tracks to reach High Dale before dropping down to return along the Monsal Trail.
5. Ashford > Magpie Mine
Starting from the picture-postcard village of Ashford-in-the-Water, this 8-mile walk takes you beside the River Wye and through Deep Dale to the ruins of Magpie Mine – the scene of a triple murder.
4. Monsal Head > Litton Mill
A fairly easy 5-mile walk from Monsal Head along the Trail and across Headstone Viaduct, before dropping down to Litton Mill, returning along the picturesque River Wye past Cressbrook Mill.
3. Monsal Head > Monsal Dale
2 miles from Monsal Head: A wonderfully picturesque stroll from this popular viewpoint down to the River Wye and Monsal Dale. Perfect for a quick leg stretch and to clear away the cobwebs.
2. Bakewell > Lathkill Dale
9 miles from Bakewell Station: This walk passes Haddon Hall before heading towards Alport and on to the wonderfully picturesque Lathkill Dale before returning via Over Haddon.
1. Wye Dale > Chee Dale
3.3 miles from Wyedale carpark: Starting at the Buxton end of the Trail and including a short stretch along stepping stones beside the River Wye at Chee Dale which some may find a bit daunting.