You can also visit Litton, Upper Dale, Water-Cum-Jolly Dale, Cressbrook Dale, and eventually end up at Millers Dale. Proposals for reinstatement of a railway on the route of the trail, Abseiling from Bridge 75 on the Monsal Trail. If you enjoyed one of our walks, you can show your support by buying me a coffee. If you purchase through these, Peak District Walks earn from the qualifying links. privacy policy Read more. There are two car parks that have been provided at the Monsal Head viewpoint and there are two parts to the viewpoint. Nearby you can also explore the Thornbridge outdoor centre, Cressbrook dale and Peters stone. We have a route guide to get to the waterfall from Edale. Interpretation explaining the former history of the route has also been installed. Ambassador Centres - Activities and Accommodation, FAQs - Badgers and Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB), FAQs - Wildlife Management and Wildlife Crime, 70 Years of the Peak District National Park, 56 day rule pop up camping and car parks, How to make a neighbourhood development order, Thornbridge Hall Enforcement Notice - Public Inquiry, Authority and Partnership work on Climate Change, Upper Derwent Valley Woodlands Regeneration Management Plan, How to achieve the Environmental Quality Mark. DISTANCE OF WALK: 2.4km (1.5 miles)TYPE OF WALK: A circular walk, with a descent to the River Wye and a short steep ascent back up to the view point at the end. City Services City Directory Search searchform-top When you reach the small road turn right and walk down the road. Guided Walks with an introduction to map reading (see dates here). Going to go back and do more of the trail, possibly when its less boggy. Want to print off this walk guide rather than rely on your mobile? Saying that, whichever place you decide to park, the area is quite small and the walking distances here are extremely short. You may also want to share your own photos from our walks in our Peak District Kids Facebook Group. The Monsal Trail is a traffic free route for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users through some of the Peak District's most spectacular limestone dales. Monsal Head is only a 15 minute drive from Bakewell a beautiful Peak District town famous for its traditional dessert the Bakewell pudding. As you approach the Headstone Viaduct, you will spot people cycling along the top, this is the Monsal Trail. You will see an old disused shelter on your left. Thank you very much . Perhaps print out a copy for the kids to follow the step-by-step directions and/or photos? The map required for this walk is theOrdnance Survey OL24 Peak District (White Peak Area). South Park Group, SEAN HASHEM Distance 5.5 km Duration 2:43 h Ascent 194 m Descent 196 m A walk along Monsal Dale from Monsal Head car park. Lovely walk even for our 4 year old. Its just on your right after the gate. Be prepared you need to be able to do a little rock climbing to get into the cave itself. Did you know that one of the best viewpoints and photographed locations in all of the Peak District is one that you can drive to? Monsal Trail Bike Hire If you don't have your own bike and are looking for bike hire along the trail, you're in luck! When you have finished exploring the tunnel walk across the viaduct taking in the stunning views. Lots of seating outside and benches overlooking the gorgeous view of Monsal Head. We made a few stops and went through the tunnel and back before ending at the stating point. Thanks so much! This is also one of the best places to capture photos of the Monsal Headstone Viaduct. Continue along this footpath for 800 metres. From here, you get unobstructed birds-eye views of the iconic Monsal Headstone Viaduct below. Car parking address:Monsal Head car park, Ashford in the Water, Bakewell, DE45 1NL Google maps. The public can now experience the full length of the former railway route at their own pace and see breathtaking views at places like Water-cum-Jolly Dale that have remained hidden since the railway closed in 1968. The monsal trail goes through the tunnel. It's located in the White Peak area of the national park in the county of Derbyshire. Its a traffic-free route that takes you along the former Midland Railway line for 8.5 miles from Blackwell Mill, Chee Dale with the famous stepping stones, and eventually Bakewell. Also be aware that there is a steep drop to the left of this pass. Posted on Last updated: December 31, 2022. Facilities: Public toilets in the car park and pub at Monsal Head Hotel. Stay safe & enjoy. The Monsal Trail stretches for 8.5 miles and starts from Bakewell going via Chee Dale and ends up at Blackwell Mill. Four of the longer tunnels are lit during daylight hours, dawn to dusk, to make them safe to use. Left click to hear in your web browser, or right click and choose 'Save Link As' to save to your computer or MP3 player. Here is a map with the locations of each car park. South Park Group, Los Angeles, TOM MEREDITH More information on the Peak District, including transport options, where to stay, best Peak District pubs + other useful resources. So, its my kind of place. 3. Great great little route. Ashford, Monsal Dale and Shacklow Wood Circular, Monsal Head, Monsal Dale and Ashford-in-the-Water Circular, Brushfield, River Wye and Monsal Dale CIrcular, Monsal Trail, Ashford in the Water and Bakewell Circular, Ashford-in-the-Water and Monsal Head Circular, Dovestone, Yeoman Hey Reservoir, and Greeenfield Reservoir Circular, Ashford-in-the-Water - Magpie Mine Circular, Ashford, Monsal and Headstone Tunnel Circular, Great Longstone and the Monsal Trail Circular, Monsal Head, Fin Cop, Cracknowl Woods Circular, Great Longstone and Longstone Head Circular. By then youre very close to Chee Dale Stepping Stones which hug a limestone gorge and take you across the water! The easiest way to reach Monsal Head is to drive as its high up in a remote location, but you can get here by bus and by walking up here too. If its waterfalls that float your boat there is another amazing waterfall on Kinder Scout. 1.5-mile route. Monsal Memories is a series of six 10-minute podcasts about people who worked on, lived by or travelled on the former Midland Railway which ran through the heart of the Peak District National Park from 1863 to 1968. Quick and easy but steep walk. Theres also a little river-beach to play on just past the weir. Review. Although this is a private road and not accessible for car, there is a public right of way for pedestrians along this road. Whether youre hoping for a swim or not, we still recommend this as a great picnic stop, because of the open flat green space and beautiful spots to admire the waterfall. Its also a good opportunity to show young kids the map features and get them started with map reading. LADOT operates over 38,000 parking meters across the city for your convenience and developing digital tools to make parking more convenient for you. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Training. Talk to Us CarPark, Inc. 6541 Hollywood Blvd #203, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (323) 462-6060 [email protected] . Weve just completed the short Monsal Head walk and your guide has been invaluable. Start/finish: Monsal Head car park | Maps: OS Explorer OL24 - The Peak District, White Peak (1:25k scale) | Distance: 1.9 miles/3km | Ascent: 350ft/107m | Duration: 1 to 2 hours | Transport: None to start. If you purchase through these, Peak District Walks earn from the qualifying links. Sort by: Distance Price Relevance. From the Monsal Head car park, head to the view point in between The Stables Bar and Longstone Bar (which is part of Monsal Head Hotel). If the lights go off because of a power failure there is a two hour emergency back up in place. Car Parks Street. This is at no extra cost to you. Monsal Trail: Monsal head carpark - See 1,803 traveller reviews, 1,154 candid photos, and great deals for Bakewell, UK, at Tripadvisor. Do check out our top tips for hiking with young kids, as well as our essential items to take on a family hike in the Peak District. Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire DE45 1NL, UK. 2011-2019 INRIX Inc. All rights reserved. Surprising experience. Alternatively Stanage Edge is a gorgeous spot for a family walk. From this viewpoint, you get breathtaking views of Monsal Dale, the Monsal Head Viaduct, and the River Wye below. You may also like to read:Cycle the Monsal Trail with kidsAshford-in-the-Water walk to Monsal Head (6.2km)Cressbrook Dale woodland walk (1.8km), Cave Dale walk, Castleton (inc. Peverill Castle): circular, 6km, Short Ox Stones walk, including trig point (circular, 1.7km): perfect for toddlers. Peak District National Park has 45 car parks, 18 of which have a Pay & Display system. Just before you reach Monsal Weir you will walk through a wooden gate. Monsal Weir + viaduct 1.5-mile route. Peak District National Park has 45 car parks, 18 of which have a Pay & Display system. 3/28/2017. I want to inspire you & turn your wildest travel dreams into a reality through my travel guides! Continue along the footpath that veers to the left for 200 metres, until you reach another footbridge on your right to cross back over the other side of the River Wye. Filter. While we make efforts to validate and update the pricing information, pricing and rates change frequently and so the information may not be the most current. Excellent short trail for when you dont have time for any of the longer trails in this area. If you are a competent wild swimmer, there is also a deep spot closer to the waterfall that is fun for a little dip. Take a moment to appreciate the fantastic view. Lovely views. Continue along the footpath for another 100 metres and walk over the footbridge to cross over the River Wye. You cant really take a bad photo of the Monsal Head viewpoint but I would definitely say that the best time to visit would be at sunrise or in the morning time. Everyone we saw regretted it. Dont miss out on the most AMAZING of all the Peak District walks for families. Click here for more details on the Monsal Trail walking route. There are benches on the lower viewpoint and from here you can see the Monsal Viaduct, the River Wye, and the Monsal Dale Valley. Be aware that there are some steep sections of path and steps. Your personal data will be used to support your experience throughout this website, to manage access to your account, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy. Enjoy this 1.6-mile loop trail near Bakewell, Derbyshire. Thank you very much . Monsal Head - Derbyshire, Inghilterra : scopri i migliori sentieri escursionistici e trekking sulla mappa e pianifica la tua escursione. Places . Skip to main content. Dont miss the beautiful village Ashford in the Water stunning on a summer evening. You cant see the old railway tracks but you may be able to see people walking over the bridge where the train used run! , Your email address will not be published. Here you will find details on how to get to the start of the walk at Monsal Head, route information, map, GPX file, plus a detailed step by step guide of the walk. Follow this path until you reach the bridge across the river. Thank you so much. Walk until you reach a wooden gate almost under the the viaduct and squeeze through the narrow stone gap on the left. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: Without kids this would be a 1 hour walk, but with young kids, allow a good 1.5-2 hours.STILE: One squeeze stile. Ambassador Centres - Activities and Accommodation, FAQs - Badgers and Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB), FAQs - Wildlife Management and Wildlife Crime, 70 Years of the Peak District National Park, 56 day rule pop up camping and car parks, How to make a neighbourhood development order, Thornbridge Hall Enforcement Notice - Public Inquiry, Authority and Partnership work on Climate Change, Upper Derwent Valley Woodlands Regeneration Management Plan, How to achieve the Environmental Quality Mark. Be prepared this is a long, challenging and intrepid trek. Read more here. Start location: Park at Monsal Head. Bus services from Nottingham, Derby and Manchester operate along the A6, the nearest main road to the Monsal Trail, with stops at Bakewell town centre, Ashford in the Water, White Lodge, Taddington, Blackwell Turn and Wye Dale (limited service). You can say thank you and buy me a coffee here. The trail runs along the former Midland Railway line for 8.5 miles between Blackwell Mill, in Chee Dale and Coombs Road, at Bakewell. Highlights: This Monsal Head Walk route allows you to see the viaduct from above, cross it and then walk under it. Please also take all litter home with you, dont bring BBQs and park your car in designated parking areas. Many people will be travelling from the likes of Bakewell but you can also follow the roads from Tideswell and Millers Dale by the River Wye. Walk highlights: Monsal Dale valley, River Wye and views of the viaduct from above and below. So, youll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the Monsal Dale with very little effort! Short walk, great view from the start overlooking the valley and viaduct, and of course great to take small detour along the tunnel. There are also annual and weekly parking permits available. Pub: Packhorse Inn, Little Longstone (early doors) Maps: 1:25000 White Peak Route: Drop down to Monsal Dale and follow river to A6. Are you enjoying the walks? For an EPIC view point dont miss Bamford Edge. Merge onto Ashford Lane/B6465 and follow it for 1mi before turning left onto Ashford Lane. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Heres is a complete visitor guide for the Monsal Head viewpoint with how to get here, parking charges, and things to see and do! The valley is gone, and the Gods with it; and now, every fool inBuxtoncan be inBakewellin half an hour, and every fool in Bakewell at Buxton; which you think a lucrative process of exchange you Fools everywhere John Ruskin, 1871. Although the hill has been here since time immemorial, this valley became industrialised in the Victorian era due to the Midlands Railway that was opened in 1863. Peak District Kids is a free online resource. I love writing about the weird, wonderful, bookish, magical, and historical on my blog. Or visit the Peak District Kids shop. Check prices here for theone month or yearly option with OS Online App. Walk along the path, it splits shortly after but keep on the lower path, heading downhill, signposted Monsal Dale Weir. Third Eye Traveller participates in various affiliate marketing programs. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 52 min to complete. at the footpath signs with the ice cream booth to your left take the path to the right . So, you may find the lighting is bad before it sets behind the hills. The Monsal Head viewpoint came about with the introduction of the Midlands Railway in 1863 which connected London with Manchester. There are two car parks at Monsal Head, the main one which has 150 spaces then a small short stay one with 19 spaces for up to 1 hour (the price is the same for up to an hour at both car parks). Stay safe this winter and read our Winter Walking Tips. +44 1629 761 100. All our parking attendants, managers, supervisors and directors of operation are required to go through our extensive and proprietary "Step Up to the Four Promises" plan. Its run by Hulleys of Baslow and they have buses that run back and forth every two hours. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. From Monsal Head car park, down to Monsal Weir on the River Wye then loop back under the viaduct back to the top. Lovely trail on a sunny afternoon. Top tips - Read our useful guides onhiking tips here. In winter it can get rather foggy so be sure to keep eyes on the route. The start of the trail GPS coordinates 53.24064, -1.72500. Ask me any questions about the route in the comments below. Its only 1 all night which is perfect if you wanted to visit for sunset photos or grab some dinner from the Stable Bar. Find parking charges, opening hours, postcode and a parking map of Monsal Head - Short Stay Castlegate Lane as well as other car parks, street parking, pay and display, parking meters and private garages for rent in Derbyshire Dales Need more help planning your Peak District trip? The Monsal Head Hotel history started when the Midland Railway Line opened in 1863 and this hotel was a Railway Hotel. Required fields are marked *. Turn left and walk towards the wall where you join the footpath, theres a signpost for Monsal Dale and Ashford, pointing left. 'Peak District Kids' is the go-to website for parents both visiting and living in the Peak District, run by Bakewell-based mum-of-two, Jenny Lynn. Both the short stay and long stay Monsal Head car parks are open 24 hours a day and parking charges apply all day. The campsite is well located on the B6465 (Ashford Lane) north west of Bakewell, Derbyshire almost on the edge of the spectacular Monsal Head, which is well worth a visit if only to look out over the beautiful Derbyshire landscape. Its the perfect place to enjoy the sunset. The river also widens and slows down in this area, so in the right weather and conditions it is also great for a paddle. The walk starts just opposite to Hobbs Cafe on the corner of the road that leads down into Monsal Dale. The STUNNING Monsal Head hotel is right at the start of this walk overlooking Monsal Dale and the viaduct. The campsite has a small shop that sells the farm's own meats, eggs, cakes and treats, while the village is also host to a local shop and 3 great pubs, The Crispin Inn (01629 640237; bar full of trinkets and well-kept ales and a good beer garden) and The White Lion (01629 640252; a more modern feel), both just a 5-10-minute walk down Moor Road. Id recommend shopping in The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop but you may have to queue! Car parking address: Monsal Head car park, Ashford in the Water, Bakewell, DE45 1NL - Google maps There are two car parks at Monsal Head, the main one which has 150 spaces then a small short stay one with 19 spaces for up to 1 hour (the price is the same for up to an hour at both car parks). Young children will enjoy the magic of the monsal valley and viaduct. The most parking is in Bakewell where there are several pay and display car parks in the town and a small car park next to the Trail at. 6. This walk begins from Monsal Head where you can enjoy the views down to the valley including the impressive viaduct. If you are planning a visit to the National Park, please arrive early or late in the day to avoid crowds if visiting over sunny weekends or school holidays. So, you can expect this inn to have lots of character. Take ALL your rubbish home to dispose of and remember close gates (as you found them). If you park in this layby there is a small path (on the other side of the wall) that leads back to Monsal Head. The Monsal Headstone Viaduct was protected and became a Grade II listed building in 1970. Once you have found the start of the trail head down to the right. There is also a layby for FREE roadside parking on Castlegate Lane (B6465) a few hundred meters north of Monsal Head. Follow the road down past the houses and you will see a small bridge crossing the river. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Ended up tagging on a 15k walk down monsall trail to the end and back! It was popular with Victorian visitors who would visit for the views. Ask us any questions in the comments or via our social media. The Monsal trail waterfall is a real highlight on this walk. At the beginning and end of the walk there are some steep sections of trail that are not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Lovely trail, a few steep bits but worth it for the views! Starting at Monsal Head long stay car park head out towards the roads past the public toilets turning left towards the short stay car park. 4. The Hobbs Cafe Monsal Head opening times is from 11am 4pm on Thursday to Sunday. More information about our Privacy Policy. . They are operated by a light sensor, so in winter when the hours of daylight are less, the lights in the tunnels will switch off earlier in the day - around 4.30pm. How to get to Thors Cave in the Peak District, How to get to the incredible Bamford Edge, How to find Robin Hoods Cave in Stanage Edge, A complete guide to Peakshole Water in Castleton, How to visit Little Johns Grave in Hathersage, A Harry Potter guide for Hardwick Hall aka Malfoy Manor, How to visit & cross Dovedale Stepping Stones, Best things to do in Ashford in the Water. Monsal Head car park Peak District National Park has 45 car parks, 18 of which have a Pay & Display system. The Monsal Head overlooks part of the popular Monsal Trail, which leads through the dale and to some enchanting places. The way soon crosses the first of a series of viaducts before plunging into Chee Tor Tunnel. Its not until you stand right underneath it that you can appreciate its sheer size. The car park machine was cash only, although it does mention another machine that takes card payments. In the summer you may come across cows in the fields to pass through, and can dip in the river below which is lovely. Once youve parked up in the Monsal Head car park, the viewpoint is less than a minutes walk away from there. 10. Follow the road around to the left of the car park, to the Monsal Head viewpoint. This short Monsal Head walk follows the below map in a clockwise direction starting from the pay and display car park behind the Monsal Head Hotel. If you are using the trail in the afternoon you are advised to take a torch or have bike lights in case you get caught out. This walk starts near the beautiful Monsal Head hotel and Stables bar. Monsal Dale is located in the White Peak limestone area of the Peak District National Park. Thors Cave Walk, Peak District The Easiest & Shortest Route (2023)! From the viewpoint, follow the footpath to the left (signposted Ashford Monsal Dale), which leads downhill. Wyedale a ten minute walk along a bridleway to the Trail. Awesome short trail to see Monsal Head and the Weir. Cross the river here and then follow the trail round to the left (back towards the viaduct). There are also annual and weekly parking permits available. Read more here. This path goes through a tunnel under the main Monsal trail. Following work by the Peak District National Park Authority using 2.25 million funding from the Department of Transport the tunnels have been repaired, resurfaced and lit to form an extension to the existing Monsal Trail. After the viaduct keep going straight ahead across the fields keeping the river to your left. Cross over the bridge, onto the large grassy area. You can say thank you and buy me a coffee here. Where is the best place to stay for the Monsal head walk? Today, its considered an attractive part of the view but back then it caused a scandal. Monsal Head then became a popular attraction for tourists who would take coaches up here from Monsal Dale station to admire the views. The views are stunning but take care on the walk up or down to the viaduct, as its a little rocky and steep in places. And finally you walk beneath the viaduct, back across a footbridge over the River Wye and head up to Monsal Head. Corporate Volunteering and Sponsorship for Businesses, Monsal Trail - Work to re-open the tunnels, How to get to the Monsal Trail by bus or train, Find out more about the work to re-open the tunnels. Very muddy and flooded but no problem with the right boots :), Nice stroll taking time to appreciate our world. There are also public toilets located at the long stay car park at Monsal Head. Corporate Volunteering and Sponsorship for Businesses, Monsal Trail - Work to re-open the tunnels, Monsal Head a short but steep walk to the Trail, Tideswell Dale about 1 mile from the Trail. The viewpoint is only 5 minutes drive from the cute village of Ashford in the Water along the B6465 country roads. Two shorter tunnels - Chee Tor No.2 and Rusher Cutting already formed part of the Monsal Trail. There are some nice ways to extend the Monsal Head walk. Food and drink: There is a cafe and pub that serves food at Monsal Head. Iconic Monsal Head is where the impressive Headstone Viaduct, which forms part of the Monsal Trail, straddles the verdant Monsal Dale and the River Wye meanders aimlessly through. Interactive map of the Monsal Head Walk. Once youve finished admiring the views from the top, step forward near the walking sign over the road. Legacy Partners, JACK RAVAN then press "Register", Add a short description of the image e.g. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites., essential items to take on a family hike in the Peak District. If its spectacular you like another little secret in the south Peak District is Luds church this short 3km walk is well worth while. PARKING: Pay and display car park at Monsal Head car park, next to the Monsal Head Hotel. 1. Footwear with good grip is essential as this walk can get very muddy in wet weather, and arrive early to secure parking during weekends and school holidays as this Peak District walk is one of the most popular hotspots of the National Park. Monsal Head - Short Stay 19 spaces. Your Directions were easy to follow and spot on. We have a guide with what to do, who you need to call and also some useful kit that should be in your backpack. Daytime only parking suitable for motorhomes. The 173 bus runs between Castleton and Bakewell and stops at Monsal Head. Great little walk! Have you got the bottle to help create a plastic free Peak District? So, you could see all of this area in around 10 minutes if you just wanted to take a quick photo. Please note that swimming and paddling in the river here is not permitted and fencing has been erected to protect Monsal Weir. What is there to see and do on the Monsal Trail?