Monsal Trail

Monsal Trail is an 8.5-mile, one-way walk from Blackwell Mill to Coombs Road in Bakewell, following the former Midland Railway through limestone dales, six tunnels, and the old stations and viaducts along the way. It’s traffic-free and nearly level; the challenge is walking the full distance, not climbing. I’d choose it for a substantial valley walk with a bit of industrial history, not for a summit or a remote-feeling hike. It isn’t a loop, so arrange a lift or another return plan. Walking back to your starting point adds another 8.5 miles. Allow about three to four hours on foot, before time spent looking around the old stations or stopping for food.

From Blackwell Mill, the path enters the steep limestone scenery of Chee Dale and Water-cum-Jolly, where the River Wye runs below the cliffs. The railway-grade route stays in the valley rather than climbing onto the hills, passing through the Chee Tor tunnels and the shorter Rusher Cutting. It then reaches Miller’s Dale, where the old station, goods shed, viaduct and limekilns make a good place to pause. The Goods Shed has local railway information and an indoor picnic shelter.

East of Miller’s Dale, the Litton and Cressbrook tunnels lead toward the old Cressbrook Mill, a water-powered cotton mill whose main building dates from work begun in 1812. The line itself closed in 1968 and became a walking and cycling trail in 1981. That history fits the walk: the route keeps taking you through the cuttings, tunnels and bridges built to carry trains through the valley, rather than just past a few isolated railway relics.

The Headstone Viaduct is the landmark stretch at Monsal Dale. The trail crosses the River Wye on the viaduct and immediately enters Headstone Tunnel. The viaduct is striking from the path, but you can also look back along the arches with the valley below to show how the rail line sits in the dale. The familiar view down onto the bridge from Monsal Head is a separate viewpoint reached by a steep path; it isn’t the trail access.

There are six tunnels in all. Four long tunnels are about 400 metres each and normally lit during the day; Chee Tor No. 2 and Rusher Cutting are shorter. After Headstone Tunnel, the route keeps its easy rail-bed line through open and wooded stretches toward Hassop and Bakewell.

Most of the surface is firm, unsealed trail, with asphalt on some stretches. The path is shared by walkers, cyclists, runners and horse riders, so the station and tunnel sections are shared spaces rather than secluded footpaths. Dogs are welcome on a lead. Ramp access is provided at several points, but the steep path down from Monsal Head is not an accessible entry to the trail.

There are cafés and accessible toilets at Hassop Station and Miller’s Dale; the Goods Shed at Miller’s Dale is a useful sheltered stop. For the Blackwell Mill start, Wyedale Car Park is about a ten-minute bridleway walk away. Hassop, Miller’s Dale and Bakewell Station also have pay-and-display car parks for shorter sections. Since the route ends in Bakewell rather than returning to Blackwell Mill, decide where you’ll finish before setting out. Tunnel lights can switch off earlier in winter, around 4:30 p.m.; take a torch if you expect to reach them later in the day.