Above: The riverside path passes through a viaduct arch on its way to the two sets of stepping stones.
Above: Click the map to enlarge in a new window.
Starting from the free-to-park, Topley Pike lay-by just a few miles from Buxton beside the A6 to Bakewell, this eight-mile walk joins the Monsal Trail at its western end.
The nearby, paid-for car park at Wyedale is an alternative starting point, and avoids the steepish slope down from Topley Pike. From Wyedale it’s about a mile-long walk beside the river along a quiet and attractive lane to the Blackwell cycle-hire shop, and then a short climb up the well-signposted track on the right to join the Trail.
The route drops down to the River Wye just a short distance along the Trail to reach the first of two sets of stepping stones. The stones are fairly easy to cross – evenly spaced with fairly flat surfaces – but the water level can rise to just an inch or two below the tops.
If you’re at all nervous, it’s easy to avoid both sets of stepping stones by keeping to the Trail and following a footpath sign on the left, just past Chee Tor Tunnel No.1 (all the tunnels are clearly marked). This leads to the footbridge over the Wye at point 9 on the map.
Above: The first of two sets of stepping stones beside the River Wye. When I recorded the walk in August, the stones were well above the water level, but they can be more challenging in winter.
The walk eventually rises up from the river to reach the outskirts of Wormhill before heading west towards Tunstead Quarry. But the village is well worth a short detour to rest awhile and enjoy its pretty village green and Victorian church.
From here, the route passes along an ancient track bordered by stone walls before reaching open fields and then a narrow lane. A notice warns of the dangers of possible blasting in the quarry. But I spoke to Tunstead and they say there’s no danger if walkers stick to the obvious paths.
Above: The route passes a couple of blast shelters, as well as a warning sign. Sirens sound to warn when explosions are about to happen. But they’re well controlled and don’t present any hazard.
Tunstead is the largest limestone quarry in the UK – and was at one time the largest in Europe (click for more on the quarry). It comprises two quarries; Tunstead, opened in 1929, and Old Moor, opened in the mid 1980s. Both sit either side of the quarry railway line which runs through Great Rocks Dale.
The route first passes Old Moor Quarry, and a look over the wire fence provides an impresive view across the vast site. It’s then a short walk along field paths to reach Tunstead, passing over a railway footbridge to enter the works.
The way through the site is clearly marked, but care is needed to avoid the heavy lorries passing through. From Tunstead, the walk reaches a tree-lined lane before dropping down to picturesque Woodale, and the return to the starting point.
Click below for full step-by-step directions and photos of the walk.
A ‘Relive’ version of the walk. Click to play and use the expand option to view in full-screen. Click here for more Monsal Trail ‘Relives’.