Above: The route from the Derwent Valley Heritage Way towards Calton Lees.
Experience the White Peak at its most picturesque best on this fairly easy eight-mile walk from the popular town of Bakewell to the outskirts of Rowsley, returning along a section of the Derewent Valley Heritage Way.
The route branches off a short distance before reaching the centre of Rowsley. But the village is well worth a visit, boasting a number of good pubs and tearooms, as well as a popular shopping centre on the site of the old railway goods yard.
Above: Click the map to enlarge.
Above: Rowsley Church has rich history. A viaduct that once carried steam trains rushing between Manchester and Derby is visible from the graveyard (click to enlarge).
Just outside the side door to the chuch lies a poignant memorial to five local men (inset above), ranging in age from 16 to 45, who lost their lives creating the tunnel that the Duke of Rutland insisted should be dug to keep trains out of view of Haddon Hall.
There’s no shortage of pubs and tearooms on this walk, both in Bakewell and Rowsley. My favourite is Rowsley Post Office, which is just a short distance from the church, opposite The Peacock pub.
Bakewell can get very busy on weekends and school holidays. An alternative starting point is Rowsley. The nearest train stations are Matlock and Buxton, with regular bus services from both.
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’.