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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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.