The perfect medicine
The Monsal Trail is perfect for families with young children, or for a gentle stroll or cycle ride. But as a walking route, it has to be said that it can be a bit dull and boring. The good news is that there are many fine walks that either start from the trail, or cross it at some point. And it’s these that I’m planning to feature on this website.
They will range between 2 – 15 miles, and pass through some gloriously picturesque dales, valleys and riverside paths. Some of them will involve steepish slopes, but this is the White Peak, as opposed to the bleak landscape of the Dark Peak. So even the longest walks shouldn’t present any problems if you’re relatively fit and healthy.
And if you’re not fit and healthy, these walks will provide the perfect medicine…
Select by length: 2 – 4 miles | 5 – 7 miles | 8 – 10 miles | 11 – 13 miles | 14 – 16 miles
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.