Continue along the track, being wary of cyclists they were much greater in number than on previous walks along the track this may have been due to the novelty of the tunnels having recently reopened, but is more than likely to be a permanent feature, now that it is possible to cycle for greater distances along the trail. Its a gentle gradient with several long lit tunnels you can cycle through imagining yourself as a train. Most of the route was opened to the public in 1981, but four former railway tunnels had to remain closed due to safety reasons, with public footpaths taking people around them. Stock up on bakewell tarts and put on those cycle clips eight and a half. Country book store discover derbyshire and the peak district.
There can be few converted railways as scenic and picturesque as the monsal trail through the peak district. This section of the trail emerges from tunnel straight out onto a ledge high over the wye valley, then plunges into tunnel again. Foot traffic is routed around four closed tunnels headstone, cressbrook, litton and chee tor no. Hassop station gift and book shop lets go peak district. Bakewell to rowsley via haddon hall tunnel coombs road rail introduction on may 25th 2011 the peak district national park opened the monsal trail through from great langstone to topley pike.
Monsal trail bakewell all you need to know before you. Monsal trail cycle hire is part of hassop station hassop station is the main cafe and outdoor area on the monsal trail. I love to walk, but they are less keen i see you can get a bus from bakewell to monsal head. Hassop station is the main cafe and outdoor area on the monsal trail. It runs from bakewell to blackwell mill near buxton. Of course you must stop on the famous monsal viaduct and take in the view. The next time we visit derbyshire, well definitely be heading back to the monsal trail to walk a bit more of it. The monsal trail tunnels in the peak district national park are open for cycling, walking and horse riding offering one of the most spectacular leisure cycle, cycling and walking routes in britain it is the first time the public have been able to go through the tunnels on the monsal trail since the former midland railway line closed in 1968. It is classified as two tunnels and its lengths are shown here. From 25 may 2011, the four railway tunnels headstone tunnel, cressbrook. The section from bakewell to little longstone is suitable for cyclists and horse riders. Formally part of the midland railways route between manchester and london, this 8. Monsal trail discover derbyshire and the peak district.
The monsal trail is a trafficfree route for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and. Since the trail follows the old railway line, its a smooth and level path. Monsal trail bakewell, derbyshire tour agency, landmark. Experience the adventure and thrills of the monsal trail. Jul, 2011 the monsal trail is an excellent facility, and i strongly recommend it to all cyclists.
A former railway line, it is eight and half miles long and runs from one mile south east of bakewell, to the head of chee dale. The monsal trail half marathon takes in the stunning, trafficfree monsal trail one of the most iconic of peak district trails with a flatish, good surface throughout. Wonderful lunch at the anglers rest just beyond millers dale. Its ninemile length might be too much to walk in one day while leaving time for a little exploration, so the best tip is to hire a bicycle from wye dale at the buxton end of the trail. On a mid october friday there were still lots of folk about on foot, bike and even horse as the northern end of the trail forms. Now that the tunnels are open along this route it is surely one of the most scenic tracks in the country, with some of the best views the peak district has to offer. Monsal trail bakewell 2020 all you need to know before. Following repairs, four of the formally unsafe tunnels were reopened to the. The old railway track is now the monsal trail, a walking, cycling and riding route stretching from bakewell to black brook cottages in buxton. There are a few tunnels along the trail which are lit from dawn to dusk.
It has all be resurfaced and is suitable for walking, horse riding and cycling. Follow the footsteps of william shakespeare in his birthplace of stratforduponavon, see the epic peaks of wales snowdonia. I have walked this trail many times before, but earlier this. The monsal trail follows the path of the former midland railway from. About 1 mile from the end of the trail is the refreshment room.
Hire is available at hassop station cafe, bookshop and cycle hire. This km former railway line follows the former manchester, buxton, matlock and midlands junction railway that runs from topley pike junction to coombs viaduct, just short of bakewell. Monsal trail things to do in the peak district and derbyshire. The photos above show the view of monsal dale, one of the newly opened tunnels and bakewell station at the southern end of the trail. The monsal trail is a traffic free route for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users through some of the peak districts most spectacular limestone dales. The monsal trail follows the path of the former midland railway from blackwell mill cottages to coombs viaduct, about 1km past the former bakewell station a distance of about 20km. For many years the trail could not follow the trackbed through the tunnels at monsal head and cressbrook which been closed for. Monsal head is a definitely recommended stop as fab view for photos.
Aug 01, 2015 in 1964, hassop station was closed to goods traffic. At monsal head the wye is crossed at the apex of a 180 degree meander in the river by the superb monsal dale viaduct. I have walked this trail many times before, but earlier this year four tunnels have been reopened to the public. There are many entrance points to the monsal trail along the route between bakewell and blackwell mill at chee dale. It was six months before i managed to visit and the trail already looked well worn. A disused railway converted to a track for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and less active people, including those in wheelchairs. Phase 1 delivers a quickwin by joining the four disconnected sections of the monsal trail via headstone, cressbrook, litton and chee tor no. Since i heard of the plans to reopen the tunnels on the monsal trail i have been watching progress and eagerly awaiting an opportunity to travel the old rail line unhindered. The monsal trail walk and cycle route in the peak district.
Silver cycling in the peak district and the monsal trail. Opened in 2011 it encompasses a cafe, book shop, gift shop, cycle hire and bike shop. Hassop station cafe foodie cycling the foodie travel guide. Louise maskill and mark titterton the eight circular walks in this book will guide you along the length of the monsal trail and around many of the surrounding footpaths and bridleways, exploring the area and introducing you to some of the peak districts most beautiful, tranquil and historic limestone dales. Sadly, alvin and andy f had to go early due to work commitments, which left barney, andy h, shaun, tony, sean, geoff and chrissie, and of course, the two dogs tilly and dixie. Whizz through four former railway tunnels on your bicycle and enjoy breathtaking views on the monsal trail. The monsal trail is a nice undemanding walk and is accessible to almost everybody. The monsal trail tunnels offer one of the most spectacular leisure routes in britain for cycling, walking and horse riding. Bakewell, the monsal trail and a tunnel peak ramblers. Cycling the peak district bakewell and the monsal trail. The route is largely flat with a slight downhill gradient from north to south making it ideal for easy walking and cycling. So my question iswhich part is the best to walk from monsal head.
The monsal trail is a trafficfree route for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users through some of the peak districts most spectacular limestone dales. Tideswell dale, wyedale and through three tunnels approx 8 miles. In 1964, hassop station was closed to goods traffic. Cycle hire is readily available should you wish to bike the route.
For the return we walked along the riverside through wye dale and others dales further downstream. May 30, 2011 this video shows 3 of the tunnels on the monsal trail which have been closed since the lince was closedcant rember the date. Cycle on to hassop station, where you can enjoy a welcome break at the bookstore and restaurant. Tunnels have been closed, but alternative paths round them created not suitable for disabled people. The monsal trail walk and cycle route in the peak district route map and gpx download. Monsal trail things to do in the peak district and. With an awardwinning cafe, gift and book shop, cycle hire facilities, childrens play area and direct access to the trafficfree trail, its a great destination for a whole. The monsal trail in derbyshires peak district is a great family friendly cycle route. The monsal trail the trail runs along the former midland railway line for 8. The surface was quite good and the views from the trail are amazing. The monsal trail tunnels were officially unveiled just a couple of weeks ago opening up the route for walking, cycling and horse riding from just to the south of buxton as far as bakewell. The trail runs along the former midland railway line for 8.
The monsal trail is an excellent facility, and i strongly recommend it to all cyclists. Jul 30, 2017 the monsal trail in derbyshires peak district is a great family friendly cycle route. Most of the tunnels have been closed, but alternative routes have been provided. The section between hassop and monsal viaduct starts off through gentle rolling hills and finishes as the countryside becomes noticeably more rugged. We parked at monsal head and walked for 5 miles north along the monsal trail to blackwell mill. The trail runs alongside the car park so there is no trouble accessing. Visit the many peak district villages along the route, with pubs and cafes close to the trail selling. As we walked in a westerly direction, we soon encountered what was once a station, then, the open walk was soon to start. Monsal trail and tunnels walking accessible derbyshire. The narrow path leads uphill to a bridge over the monsal trail.
Because we were under time constraints, we were only able to bimble a short section of it. Cycling the tunnels of the monsal trail in derbyshires. Here at hassop station, come and enjoy the traffic free monsal trail with our range of bicycles, tagalongs and child seats. It seemed sensible to do a short and easy walk so that i would not be tired for the drive home, so i settled on the monsal trail, which follows the old railway line between bakewell and blackwell mill near buxton. Signage is very good with several points of interest along the way. I am very interested in walking part of the monsal trail. Peak ramblers ramblings bakewell, the monsal trail and. Steep walk down to the main trail but a beautiful walk. Hassop to millers dale walk from walks around britain. Explore peaceful scenery and medieval cities on this 5day tour from london to wales and central england. For full route information, as well as downloadable maps visit peak district national park. The monsal trail provides a glimpse of the history between man and nature in the peak district, including lime kilns and the magnificent monsal head viaduct. It is the first time the public have been able to go through the tunnels since the former midland railway line closed in 1968.
When numbers were similarly crunched 15 years ago, a figure of. For the most part the trail follows the path of the river wye, which means it offers some spectacular scenery. The monsal trail is a cycling, horse riding and walking trail in the derbyshire peak district. Lovely walk partly through well lit old railway tunnels and over disused railway viaducts. The trail follows the route of the old midland railway which closed for the last time in 1968, and a number of the old stations remain. Give the whole family a great day out in the beautiful peak district, and now the spectacular tunnels are opening theres nothing to stop you. The monsal trail is just under 9 miles in length running from the coombs road viaduct, about a mile south of bakewell to blackwell mill junction, 3 miles or so from buxton. The monsal trail tunnels in the peak district national park are open for cycling. Bakewell, hassop and monsal head are the nearest stations from baslow hall.
It is entirely traffic free with no roads to cross. Monday 6th may 20 and saturday 31st march 2012 i have always been especially interested in the monsal trail in the peak district because it passes through the dramatic scenery of monsal dale and millers dale, however ever since the old railway line was opened to walkers the many tunnels on the route remained closed necessitating several long diversions around them. We went through tunnels to walk the 8 mile to the end, then walked back. The peak district is famed for excellent cycle routes and the monsal trail is certainly. Bakewell, the monsal trail and a tunnel day two, of our early september, camp at monsal head with a walk, or two, over the weekend with some friends. The spacious, elegant old station building is complemented by a large sun terrace fronting the monsal trail for balmy sunny days and outside dining. Its a fact of life that every business has good days and bad, no matter what they trade in. The monsal trail is in the centre of the peak national park, starting just north of bakewell, 10 miles north of matlock and 8 miles west of chesterfield in derbyshire. Walking and cycling on the monsal trail, an old, disused railway track. The monsal trail, is a former midland railway line and the route will take you through four railway tunnels plus across the spectacular monsal viaduct. In recent years, a lot of money has been spent on creating the monsal trail and tunnels along with the tissington trail, to make for a pleasant route for all to enjoy, either by foot or by bike. It was constructed from a section of the former manchester, buxton, matlock and midlands junction railway, built by the midland railway in 1863 to link manchester with london, which closed in 1968. Now, headstone tunnel, cressbrook tunnel, litton tunnel and chee tor. We can also boast a large outdoor covered seating area with wendy houses to keep the little ones entertained, and any dog walkers dry.
Rambling mainly in northern england monsal trail tunnels. The station car parks at both bakewell and millers dale are convenient for those. Monsal trail peak district cycling biking routes, events. Cycling the tunnels of the monsal trail in derbyshires peak. The monsal trail tunnels in the peak district national park are open for cycling, walking and horse riding offering one of the most spectacular leisure cycle, cycling and walking routes in britain. Monsal trail circular route millers dale to monsal head 3. The original railway rose almost 600 feet between rowsley and buxton though it does undulate a bit, so riding from west to east is easier than east to west. The peak district national park have recently spent. Car parks are provided at former stations at bakewell and millers dale, both of which give level access onto the trail. Commercial rewards from food outlets seem hostage to so many subjective fortunes but proprietors must be doing something right when hungry hoards descend.
From 25 may 2011 the four railway tunnels headstone tunnel, cressbrook tunnel, litton tunnel, chee tor tunnel will also open for trail users. A wheelchair friendly walk on the monsal trail in derbyshire. This walk is the section from hassop station cafe and cycle hire to the far side of cressbrook tunnel through the recently reopened tunnels along the former railway line. I am visiting beautiful bakewell in august with my three teenagers. The monsal trail tunnels are open for cycling, walking and horse riding offering one of the most spectacular leisure routes in britain.
Monsal trail bakewell all you need to know before you go. Im by no means an expert cyclist, but even i can manage the flat monsal trail. This section includes spectacular scenery and no fewer than six tunnels. The old station building also includes a cafe, bookshop and ample parking. As part of julians work, he has developed options and costs for reopening these as part of the trail. If you enjoy stunning scenery then this is worth having a try.
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