The Monsal Trail, in the Peak District National Park, is one of the walks famous routes to do. It’s an old railway line, leading you through tunnels and under bridges. The full route is 8.5 miles long, from Bakewell to Wyedale, just outside of Buxton. It’s a route that can be enjoyed on foot, by bike, or even on horseback.
This route I’ve put together only touches a small section of the Monsal Trail, along Chee Dale. It’s a little taster of what to expect if you were to walk the full Monsal Trail. It’s a beautiful 4-mile circular, taking you along the Wye Valley, onto the Monsal Trail, and back around by the little village of Blackwell. It’s a lovely walk to be enjoyed all year round. We walked it in December in thick fog. Even though we couldn’t see many views, it was still a very enjoyable walk.
Location
The walk starts and finishes in the Chee Dale Layby, just off the A6, in the Wye Valley. Just 4 miles east of Buxton, in the Derbyshire Peaks.
Parking
We parked in the Chee Dale Layby, along the A6. It’s a fairly large layby, with lots of room for parking. However, I can imagine in the summer, it does get very busy and full quite quickly.
The Route
Follow this map, as you walk the route, you shouldnât get lost! Make sure your location is turned on and you should be able to see exactly where you are, on this map. Or if you prefer, download the GPX file and use it on your choice of route tracker.
1.
Starting at Chee Dale Layby, head east of the layby, until you see a little wooden gate. Head through the gate and follow the footpath downhill to a path junction.
2.
At the path junction, turn towards your left-hand side and follow the path down the valley to the stone wall, leading you onto the Monsal Trail. Cross over the stone wall through the little gap made, slightly towards your left-hand side. Then towards your right-hand side onto the Monsal Trail.
3.
Follow the Monsal Trail under the bridge, and through two tunnels. After the 2nd tunnel, lookout for a path on your left-hand side.
4.
Take the footpath and follow it for a short distance. Very shortly, you should see a signpost pointing to your left-hand side, leading you up the hill.
5.
Take the footpath up the hill, following the markers marking the footpath. Eventually, you will reach a gate. Head through the gate and turn towards your right-hand side. Follow the footpath along the edge of the field, until you reach Blackwell Hall.
6.
At Blackwell Hall, follow the footpath signs leading you through a little field, towards a farm in Blackwell. Head through the farm, and take the footpath going off to your right-hand side, through the woods. Very shortly, you will reach a country lane.
7.
Turn towards your right-hand side onto the country lane. Follow the country lane for a short distance. Shortly, you should see and path going off to your right-hand side. Take the path and follow it until you reach a path junction.
8.
At the path junction, take the path that folks off to your left-hand side. Follow the path down the valley. Eventually, you should see a path going off to your left-hand side. Take the path leading up the banks of the valley, back up towards Chee Dale Layby, where you started the walk from.
Enjoyed this walk and would like to do another walk in the Peak District National Park, please check out some of my other walk guides:
For more information about the nearest town, Buxton, where to stay and eat, please visit their website:
https://www.visitbuxton.co.uk/
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