Dipper Give the Driver a Break

Please contact Bakewell Visitor

Centre for public transport
information and access to the
trail. Bus times can also be
obtained by Traveline
www.traveline.org.uk and
www.derbysbus.info or
0871 200 22 33 National
Rail Enquiries
www.nationalrail.co.uk for
Purple Orchids
trains to the Peak District.
8.5 miles of tranquil trail between
Buxton and Bakewell
A valley of flowers ACCESS TO THE TRAIL
Look out for early purple orchids and cowslips in May, followed by Easy access is available for all
ox-eye daisies, common rock rose, bloody cranesbill and a lilac dusting visitors at Hassop, Bakewell and
of small scabious appears on many slopes. The ash woods provide their Millers Dale stations.
own flower show, with scarce lily-of-the-valley, and carpets of wood
Cyclists and horseriders can also
anenome and strong smelling ramsons (wild garlic) in Spring. access the trail south of Bakewell
Butterflies and birds Station at Coombs Viaduct. Walkers
and cyclists are advised to park at
Many butterflies feed on these the pay and display car park at the
flowers. Follow the fluttering flight Bakewell Agricultural Centre and access
of the brown argus, common Coombs Road via the footpath at the
blue and green hairstreak. The back of the centre. You can follow the
Wye Valley resounds to the trail or branch out into the surrounding
songs of many birds. Look out countryside along a network of footpaths
for wheatears on grassland, grey and bridleways.
wagtails and dippers in the rivers,
brightly coloured redstarts singing Countryside Code
from tree tops and the impressive Please respect other visitors on the
buzzard soaring overhead. trail. Please do not drop litter or
Wheatear
Cycling on the Monsal Trail cigarette butts. Dogs are welcome on
the trail - please keep them under close
In 2011 the tunnels on the Monsal Trail were opened to produce a control and clear up after them. Cyclists please slow
complete off road cycling route. This project was funded as part of the down and give way to walkers.
wider Pedal Peak District project to promote cycling opportunities in
the National Park. To find out more visit www.peakdistrict.gov.uk A great deal of care has gone into preparing this
publication, but the Peak District National Park Authority
will not accept any responsibility for the misinterpretation
of route descriptions nor for any accidents resulting from use
of these walks.
2760MonsalTrail/30k/WhitePrint/MAR2011

Bakewell Visitor Centre, The Old Market Hall,

Bridge Street, Bakewell, DE45 1DS

Tel: 01629 816558

Email: bakewell@peakdistrict.gov.uk

Bee on Scabius
Web: www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting
©Copyright 2011 Designed and produced by The Peak District National Park Authority.
www.peakdistrict.gov.uk
There is plenty to see and do along the Monsal The trails INDUSTRIal past
Trail: Explore the wildlife and geology of the valley. Cotton Mills - The force of the
Retrace the fascinating history of the railway and the River Wye and its tributaries was
old industries along its route, or simply take in the used to power the waterwheels
of cotton mills in the 18th century.
breathtaking views. The Peak District lay in the path
Litton Mill opened in 1782 and Sir
of the Midland Railway’s ambition to Richard Arkwright’s Cressbrook
create its own London to Manchester railway Mill in 1783.
line in the 19th century. The company dug Limekilns - These burnt limestone from adjacent quarries, with coal
Limekiln Crinoids

several tunnels and bridged the River Wye brought in by train, to make quicklime. This was taken along the railway Rocks from ancient seas
with the famous Monsal Viaduct to for use in the steel and chemical industries.
The trail cuts through limestone between Blackwell and Monsal Head.
complete the line in 1863. 4 This was formed over 350 million years ago when the area was a
To Tideswell
For over 100 years the line carried passengers tropical sea near to the equator, and is full of fossils. Shells, corals and
9 mud built up on the seabed and eventually formed the limestone.
and freight. Millers Dale station was at the start 7
of a branch line taking tourists to the South of Monsal Head, the limestone is covered by shales. These
fashionable spa town of Buxton. 2 TIDESWELL DALE were formed from fine muds and sands deposited by vast river deltas
The line closed in 1968 and the MILLERS DALE LITTON MILL flowing into that early sea.
LIME KILNS
Peak District National Park Authority
re-opened the route for RUSHER CUTTING Cressbrook Wye Valley Wildlife
6 CRESSBROOK MILL
recreation in 1981. TUNNEL
LIME KILNS 8 The trail sides and limestone dales contain spectacular unspoilt
pastures, hay meadows and ash woodlands with abundant wildlife. You
WYEDALE Blackwell Mill ale CHEE TOR 3 5
eD can visit the nature reserves from the trail.
Che
1 & 2 TUNNELS
LITTON TUNNEL
9
04

CRESSBROOK TUNNEL
Upperdale
B6

To Buxton Little Longstone

A5270 Great Longstone
A6 Monsal Dale
Blackwell
1 Turn MONSAL HEAD
10 HEADSTONE TUNNEL
Taddington B6
WHITE LODGE Hassop

0
46 19

02
Monsal Trail 5
A6

A6
Pennine Bridleway Riv
er W
Tunnel ye
Bridleway
Footpath 11 Ashford in the Water
Road
Nature Reserves
Parking A6
1. Deep Dale
Coach Parking
2. Chee Dale BAKEWELL STATION
Easy Access
(suitable for cycling, 3. Millers Dale Quarry
horses, wheelchairs 4. Monk’s Dale
and pushchairs) 5. Priestcliffe Lees
Toilet 6. Ravenstor & Bellamy’s Bank Bakewell
Information Centre 7. Tideswell Dale
Information Board 8. Cramside Wood North
9. Cressbrook Dale Coombs Road
10. Taddington Wood 1 Kilometre To Matlock Viaduct
5 Nature Reserves 11. Deep Dale ©Copyright. John McCrindle, photographer, Ashford in the Water, Not all footpaths are shown and White Peak OL24 should be used, particularily off the trail.
Derbyshire. Circa 1900. © Crown Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Licence 1000005734. 2010