Monsal Trail blog
Using a GPX file
GPX files of all the walks featured on this website are now available to purchase for just £1.50 each. I’ve also included a guide to choosing and using one of the many popular walking apps now available.
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.
Tunstead Quarry
Lying just a few miles east of Buxton, Tunstead is the largest limestone quarry in the UK. And its railway could provide the much-needed link between the Monsal Trail and Buxton.
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.
Grey Ladies Circle
Lying close to Robin Hood’s Stride, the Grey Ladies Stone Circle once boasted nine standing stones. Five have been removed over the millennia, but the four remaining are the tallest in Derbyshire.
Rowtor Rocks
The bizarre carvings at Rowtor Rocks – including thrones, altars, steps and prehistoric-style symbols – are the work of an eccentric Birchover Rector who also seems to have been a practicing Druid.
The Hermit’s Cave
The recently-posted 14-mile walk from Bakewell to Robin Hood’s Stride passes a medieval hermit’s cave with a crude carving of the crucifixion dated to the late 14th century.
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.
Reinstating the railway
The last train ran along what today is the Monsal Trail in 1969. But calls for the reinstatement of the line to provide a public transport link between Buxton and Bakewell are gaining support.
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.
Thirst House Cave
Thirst House Cave lies beside the path from King Sterndale across Deep Dale. It’s one of many similar caves in the White Peak’s limestone landscape where our ancient ancestors once found shelter.
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.
Monsal Trail by LVR
A small electric train connecting the Monsal Trail with Buxton would greatly benefit this famous Georgian spa town, but the project seems to have come to a grinding halt because of a lack of funding.
17. Ashford > Churchdale
An easy 3-mile walk from the picture-postcard village of Ashford-in-the-Water to the Monsal Trail, returning through picturesque Churchdale and recorded during the village’s well-dressing week.
16. Hassop Station > Bakewell
A gentle 4-mile stroll from Hassop Station down to the popular town of Bakewell, famed for its puddings, returning along the Monsal Trail, with many opportunities for refreshments along the way.
Deep Dale rewilding
Topley Pike Quarry lies close to the Buxton end of the Monsal Trail. Plans to return it to a nature reserve have been put on hold because of planning problems. Which is a great shame.
15. Miller’s Dale > Tideswell
From Miller’s Dale, this walk of just over seven miles passes through picturesque Tideswell Dale before heading across a mix of fields, lanes and tracks to reach Wormhill, returning along the River Wye.
14. Bakewell > Chatsworth
A 7-mile walk from the Peak District’s most popular town to its most popular tourist attraction, across some wonderfully scenic paths, tracks and open fields, returning through the village of Edensor.
13. Bakewell > Rowsley
Eight miles through some glorious White Peak countryside, from Bakewell at the eastern end of the Monsal Trail to Rowsley, returning along a section of the Derwent Valley Heritage Way.