Continue walking down the trail for around 500m and dont turn off. Daytime only parking suitable for motorhomes. Short walk, great view from the start overlooking the valley and viaduct, and of course great to take small detour along the tunnel. 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. Its not until you stand right underneath it that you can appreciate its sheer size. Postcode is: DE45 1NL. read here Please keep the Peak District beautiful and respect everyone who uses the park. Here is a map with the locations of each car park. Monsal Head is only a 15 minute drive from Bakewell a beautiful Peak District town famous for its traditional dessert the Bakewell pudding. 7.55. Or visit the Peak District Kids shop. Read more here. Your email address will not be published. We stayed at Park House Campsite in 2012 having read generally good reviews. 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. Bit of climb coming back, but worth while. 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 scenery and route make this Monsal Head walk ideal for families. Please follow us and use the #peakdistrictkids hashtag so we can share with our wider community. Keep walking a little further and then cross the river at the bridge. Find parking charges, opening hours and a parking map of all Castlegate Lane car parks, street parking, pay and display, parking meters and private garages Regardless of when you visit, youll be greeted with unobstructed views all around you! From this viewpoint, you get breathtaking views of Monsal Dale, the Monsal Head Viaduct, and the River Wye below. (A) 2 Turn right down the stone steps. For an EPIC view point dont miss Bamford Edge. Keep following this path by the river until you see a waterfall on your left. Our parking management services include consulting to identify the most cost-effective options for achieving your goals, reducing risk while earning guaranteed monthly income from solid leasing agreements, revenue control, parking vendor selection, accounting and reporting, transportation logistics, event parking, or maintenance and concierge & wayfinder services. On allPeak District family walksits a good idea to have an Ordnance Survey paper map with you, even if you have your phone on you. The Monsal Dale Viaduct is a fine example of Victorian engineering. If you purchase through these, Peak District Walks earn from the qualifying links. Perhaps print out a copy for the kids to follow the step-by-step directions and/or photos? Monsal Head Walk Suitability for family: This walk is great for families with children of any age. Monsal Head - Long Stay Castlegate Lane Derbyshire Dales DE45 1NJ +44 1629 761333 http://www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/community-a-living/parking/car-park-charges - Advertisement - Prices Mon-Sun - All day 1 Hour 1.50 2 Hours 2.50 3 Hours 3.80 4 Hours 5.00 24 Hours 6.00 (ends at 08:00) Overnight 1.00 (In after 18:00 Out by 08:00) Opening Times The trail runs along the former Midland Railway line for 8.5 miles between Blackwell Mill, in Chee Dale and Coombs Road, at Bakewell. This is a wonderful circular route in the Peak District National Park that begins in Monsal Head and visits the River Wye, Deep Dale Nature Reserve, Great Shacklow Wood, Little Shacklow Wood . It's located in the White Peak area of the national park in the county of Derbyshire. There are plenty of benches where you can sit and enjoy the views. Surprising experience. Thors Cave Walk, Peak District The Easiest & Shortest Route (2023)! Took about 40 minutes. The viewpoint is only 5 minutes drive from the cute village of Ashford in the Water along the B6465 country roads. Make sure you have not got an add-blocker running, This content is only available to app subscribers, To view this content you need to be both a subscriber to the searchforsites app and logged in to the website, The record is still viewable for archive purposes however the location is no longer open or no longer accepts stopovers or camping, To perform this action you need to be registered and logged in to searchforsites, If you have already registered with searchforsites press "Login", New to searchforsites? Postcode is: DE45 1NL.WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Amazing views of Headstone Viaduct across Monsal Dale, an impressive weir, and you walk right underneath the viaduct too. This gradually leads you back up to the main viewpoint where this circular Monsal Head walk began. The path leads up through the woodlands back to Monsal Head. Quick and easy but steep walk. Black Hill Guided Walk with an Introduction to Map Reading, Stanage Edge Guided Walk (+ Webinar) with an Introduction to OS Maps, Mam Tor + Cave Dale Guided Walk with an Introduction to Map Reading, River Dove From Alstonefield | 4-Mile Route, Magpie Mine Walk (+ Monsal Dale) From Ashford-in-the-Water | 8-Mile Route, click here to get them straight to your inbox, Top 10 Highest Peak District Hills + Mountains, Damflask Reservoir Easy Walk From Low Bradfield | 4-Mile Route, Reservoir Walk (Plus Emlin Ridge + Kirk Edge Trigs) | From Low Bradfield | 10-Mile Route, River Derwent Short Walk From Hathersage | 5-Mile Route, 9 Trig Walks For Trig Baggers (Walks with Multiple Trigs). Rivers can of course be hideously dangerous, so please do be careful and of course dont go in if it seems too deep or too fast; it can change a lot in different seasons. Thank you so much. 0-1 - 1.50. Satnav Quick Search ID: S24643S Buxton, Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom, DE45 1NL. 1 2 hours. PayByPhone location number 806397. . Monsal Head is a viewpoint that lies high above the Monsal Trail and the Monsal Viaduct. Wyedale a ten minute walk along a bridleway to the Trail. Lots of seating outside and benches overlooking the gorgeous view of Monsal Head. Click here for the full list of Peak District Kids printable downloads. Lovely evening walk when the crowds have gone, Loved this trail, really interesting, lots to see. For all Ordnance Survey mapping on this website: Crown copyright 2023 OS 100066702, Jenny Lynn LtdRegistered in England and Wales:No. There are community toilets available at the start of the walk at Monsal Head car park (the block near the entrance). A Parking Management Company, born in Hollywood, CA, TOM MEREDITH Ah so lovely to hear Im glad you had a wonderful walk in the rain! Pub: Packhorse Inn, Little Longstone (early doors) Maps: 1:25000 White Peak Route: Drop down to Monsal Dale and follow river to A6. This is a very popular area for hiking, running, and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Be prepared this is a long, challenging and intrepid trek. Thank you for engaging with us and helping us improve. It was dry on the day we went but I imagine in a down poor it can be very slippy. Did you know that this viewpoint is on the B6465 road and from here you can drive down to Little Longstone which is by the River Wye? Your email address will not be published. So, you can expect this inn to have lots of character. Click here for our recommended paddling and wild swimming spots in the Peak District. At Monsal Head, theres a pub (Monsal Head Hotel + Pub) with outdoor seating area, a cafe (Hobbs Cafe) and lastly, the all important ice-cream stand! Your Directions were easy to follow and spot on. Brilliant for dogs that like swimming! The Valley is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and also as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Heres a lovely short walk from Monsal Head with stunning views down to the valley of Monsal Dale and Monsal Trail over the viaduct. Enjoy this 1.6-mile loop trail near Bakewell, Derbyshire. privacy policy Continue along this footpath for 800 metres. We have a route guide to get to the waterfall from Edale. Follow this path until you reach the bridge across the river. Peak District Walks is a FREE online resource. Children will need careful supervision along this section. Please keep the Peak District beautiful and respect everyone who uses the park. It also includes a waterfall and two bridge crossings of the river. 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. needed chocks on the drivers side to level, The easy way to find motohome stopovers and campsites in Europe, Forestry and Land Scotland approved nightstop, Caravan & Motorhome Club certificated location, Camping and Caravanning Club certificated site, Read the details on our cookie policy page to see how we use cookies, Or, click the button below to confirm you are happy with this, Can't see the buttons? Check prices here with Ordnance Surveyor Amazon. Monsal Dale weir. Skip to main content. Were so unfit but thank you so much. Even if this place is busy, you can still get amazing photos from the lower viewpoint which will be in front of Hobbs Caf Tearoom and over the B-road. I want to inspire you & turn your wildest travel dreams into a reality through my travel guides! There is also a 500m section along a small country road (no footpaths). After the viaduct keep going straight ahead across the fields keeping the river to your left. More information on the Peak District, including transport options, where to stay, best Peak District pubs + other useful resources. Or get in touch and I will help as best I can :). Its also popular with walkers on the Monsal Trail. Once you have found the start of the trail head down to the right. The aim is to encourage people to cut car use, reduce traffic congestion and use bicycles more. From here, youll find tearooms, pubs, an ice cream truck, and an information board about the viaduct too. And finally you walk beneath the viaduct, back across a footbridge over the River Wye and head up to Monsal Head. Bamford edge affords amazing views over Lady Bower reservoir. Ended up tagging on a 15k walk down monsall trail to the end and back! A limited service also operates to Monsal Head. From the footbridge, turn right and follow the footpath towards the viaduct, with the River Wye on your right, soon walking through a wooden gate. Be careful with your footing as there are tree roots and stumps that stick up along the footpath and there is a steep drop to the right. (Less of a strenuous climb). 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. 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. Near Bamford Edge we also love Stanage Edge home to the REAL Robin Hoods cave. The trail either leads left towards Ashford and Monsal Dale or right towards Upperdale and Monsal Viaduct! 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. Please note 'Peak District Walks' accepts no liability for any injuries or accidents resulting from walking our routes. Other former railway lines now open to the public as traffic-free trails can be found at the High Peak Trail andTissington Trail, with bike hire centres also servicing these routes. Some lovely views over the River Wye but for me the man made constructions stole the show. Continue along the footpath for another 100 metres and walk over the footbridge to cross over the River Wye. Approx 1h walk round taking your time. Bookings; Monsal Head. Thank you very much . And viaduct. The Monsal Head viewpoint came about with the introduction of the Midlands Railway in 1863 which connected London with Manchester. Two shorter tunnels - Chee Tor No.2 and Rusher Cutting already formed part of the Monsal Trail. Very muddy and flooded but no problem with the right boots :), Nice stroll taking time to appreciate our world. Review. The way soon crosses the first of a series of viaducts before plunging into Chee Tor Tunnel. Read more here. When this railway was constructed, multiple buildings were built on top of Monsal Head for railway workers and visitors along with the Railway Hotel. Take the footpath on the right that leads through the woodland and down towards the River Wye. 2. Please also take all litter home with you, dont bring BBQs and park your car in designated parking areas. Also, look out for the beautiful Mandarin Ducks along the River Wye as they are popular along this part of the river. The walk then takes you past a the beautiful Monsal trail waterfall on the river Wye and back up along a woodland trail. Young children will enjoy the magic of the monsal valley and viaduct. 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. Nice walk , pathway down is very narrow so youll have to wait for people coming the opposite way to pass, the pooch loved the river once down in the valley. 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. The walk starts just opposite to Hobbs Cafe on the corner of the road that leads down into Monsal Dale. 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). 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. Ask me any questions about the route in the comments below. Excellent short trail for when you dont have time for any of the longer trails in this area. This walk starts near the beautiful Monsal Head hotel and Stables bar. The path now gradually begins to incline and youll get some more beautiful views of the viaduct on your right. Car Parks Street. 8. Please keep the Peak District beautiful and respect everyone who uses the park. The route is closer to 1.5 miles, so a great short loop, however you do have the walk back uphill so be sure to add on extra time on the way back! Have you got the bottle to help create a plastic free Peak District? 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. The Monsal Head viewpoint and the car park are open 24 hours a day along with the Monsal Trail. Top tips - Read our useful guides onhiking tips here. The Monsal Head viewpoint is a short drive from Bakewell (10 mins) and Ashford in the Water (5 mins) on the B6465 road. Find parking charges, opening hours, postcode and a parking map of Millers Dale B6049 as well as other car parks, street parking, pay and display, parking meters and private garages for rent in High Peak. Or if you fancy making the walk longer you can add an extra out and back to explore more of the beautiful Derbyshire Dale, Monsal Dale. There is a pay and display long stay car park located behind the pub with plenty of parking. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. How long does it take to walk? If you park at the top of the long stay car park behind the Monsal Head hotel, there is a small cordoned-off area on the hill with some benches provided which is perfect for a picnic. It has a protruding rock the Peak Districts answer to the Trolls Tongue a perfect spot for a Peak District instagram pic. Four of the longer tunnels are lit during daylight hours, dawn to dusk, to make them safe to use. Join our Peak District walks Facebook page, follow us on Instagram andTwitter for inspiration. Once youve parked up in the Monsal Head car park, the viewpoint is less than a minutes walk away from there. This is at no extra cost to you. The prices for parking: There is also a small short stay car park at the front of the pub overlooking Monsal Dale. Note there is no footpath along this road so go carefully. You will see an old disused shelter on your left. 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. Beautiful scenic walk, nice and steady steep at some points Let me know in the comments if youve done this walk fromMonsal Head and what you think! Bookings; B6049. So, its my kind of place. Ask us any questions in the comments or via our social media. Take ALL your rubbish home to dispose of and remember close gates (as you found them). Its perfect for those on a tight Peak District itinerary. The trail runs along the former Midland Railway line for 8.5 miles between Blackwell Mill, in Chee Dale and Coombs Road, at Bakewell. 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. Just before you reach Monsal Weir you will walk through a wooden gate. From the car park follow the path signposted Monsal Viaduct, down a series of steps through trees. Its also quite close to Bakewell, Buxton, and a short drive from the popular Chatsworth House if you wanted to stop here after your visit. After reading some of the negative reviews we weren't expecting much. We will probably do the other circular walks you suggest. Follow this path down to the right. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Turn left and walk towards the wall where you join the footpath, theres a signpost for Monsal Dale and Ashford, pointing left. Filter. Your email address will not be published. Its a great way to get them engaged with the walk and gives them a sense of responsibility. 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. 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. And dont forget your compass, I recommend the Silva Expedition compass. We've taken the liberty of including a few weirs on this list of Peak District waterfall walks. I did find that in summer there was lots of stinging nettles, weeds, and foliage which blocked some of the views. There are also public toilets located at the long stay car park at Monsal Head. For specific fees and more information about car parks and parking permits, please visit. 4. 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 a historic viewpoint and lookout in the Peak District National Park which sees thousands of tourists visit each year. PARKING: Pay and display car park at Monsal Head car park, next to the Monsal Head Hotel. So, you may find the lighting is bad before it sets behind the hills. Id recommend shopping in The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop but you may have to queue! If the weather is fine, why not pick up some ice cream from their Monsal Head Ices truck which is just outside? Stage 1 Monsal Head to Monsal Dale Weir, Stage 2 Monsal Dale Weir to Monsal Head. 14667703, info@peakdistrictkids.co.uk | work with us. Its run by Hulleys of Baslow and they have buses that run back and forth every two hours. Click here for Google Map point on your phone. The area is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and part of the Natura 2000 network across Europe! Love the walks in the Peak District? To reach the Monsal Head car park from Buxton, head southeast on the A6 for 14.6 km and turn left onto Buxton Road. Green Bridge Investments, Los Angeles, JACK RAVAN Theres also a little river-beach to play on just past the weir. When you have finished exploring the tunnel walk across the viaduct taking in the stunning views. Starting from the main view point by the Monsal Head Hotel, follow the footpath down into the dale to Monsal Weir, then across the other side of the River Wye to walk along its banks and to walk right underneath the Headstone Viaduct. From Monsal Head I walked down the slope the the Wye River and found the footbridge there There was no one else around and it made this lovely walk even better. So, you can visit all times of the year whenever you like! Getting to the Monsal Dale Walk Trailhead. Youre 231 metres above sea level so you can see all over the valley with the River Wye below. There is also a layby for FREE roadside parking on Castlegate Lane (B6465) a few hundred meters north of Monsal Head. 6. You can say thank you and buy me a coffee here. Cross the bridge and follow the path up to the small road. The path is narrow and gradually continue downhill, through another gate and then you reach the River Wye and Monsal Weir. Walk until you reach a wooden gate almost under the the viaduct and squeeze through the narrow stone gap on the left. If you had any issues, consider leaving your email for our customer service team. Start: Monsal Head SK185715; Roadside Parking or Pay & Display. There is a section across a grassy field by the river. 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 This is also one of the best places to capture photos of the Monsal Headstone Viaduct. Alternatively if you keep following the valley past the waterfall you can walk to Deep Dale. then press "Register", Add a short description of the image e.g. There are also public toilets located at the long stay car park at Monsal Head. Heres is a complete visitor guide for the Monsal Head viewpoint with how to get here, parking charges, and things to see and do! Both are very different things. 5. 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. For specific fees and more information about car parks and parking permits, please visit https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/planning-your-visit/parking. The start of the trail GPS coordinates 53.24064, -1.72500. Distance 5.5 km Duration 2:43 h Ascent 194 m Descent 196 m A walk along Monsal Dale from Monsal Head car park. 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. website by w brand studio, newport beach, CARPARK, Inc.CARPARK, Inc. 6541 Hollywood Blvd #203, Los Angeles, CA 90028 - (855) 600-PARK, copyright 2021 carpark inc. You might like these circular walks. Peak District National Park has 45 car parks, 18 of which have a Pay & Display system. The path then continue across a second bridge, with another small gap to squeeze through! Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire DE45 1NL, UK. The Monsal Headstone Viaduct was protected and became a Grade II listed building in 1970. The viaduct is the third most visited attraction in the Peak District today but when it was first built it was called a monstrosity if you can believe it! Quite steep on the way back but as long as you stagger it, it will be fine. Its only 1 all night which is perfect if you wanted to visit for sunset photos or grab some dinner from the Stable Bar. Login in to view the coordinates. There are also pay and display car parks at: Coaches can be parked at Bakewell's Agricultural Business Centre near the town centre and at Monsal Head car park. But a really nice place. The monsal trail goes through the tunnel. The Monsal Head viewpoint is also free to visit, you just have to pay for car parking charges which apply 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! 1. 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. Lovely walk even for our 4 year old. WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Amazing views of Headstone Viaduct across Monsal Dale, an impressive weir, and you walk right underneath the viaduct too. There is also Hobbs Cafe and an ice cream truck. Monsal Head Its just on your right after the gate. Visit ourhiking recommendations page, (footwear, clothes + kit). 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. Also, feel free to share your walk photos with us on Instagram. The River Wye that runs through it played an important role in the Industrial Revolution as the water was used to power the cotton mills in Cressbrook and Litton. 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 Bakewell Station. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Follow the path all the way up, signposted Monsal Head as you near the top and then youre back at Monsal Head, ready to enjoy a treat at the pub, cafe or ice-cream stand! It's totally free and you get so much more by joining in! From the viewpoint, follow the footpath to the left (signposted Ashford Monsal Dale), which leads downhill. If you purchase through these, Peak District Walks earn from the qualifying links. If you are a competent wild swimmer, there is also a deep spot closer to the waterfall that is fun for a little dip. Look out for Mandarin Ducks as they are often in this area. . Then click here to download the PDF to print out at home. Parking, Online Ice cream van ( closed when I was there at half term 2022) Toilets are clean and spacious and run on donations now Nowadays, even though the railway is not here, Monsal Head Viewpoint is still an extremely popular tourist destination. There is a large flat grass area on one side of the river that lends its self to relaxing. From Monsal Head car park, down to Monsal Weir on the River Wye then loop back under the viaduct back to the top. There are also annual and weekly parking permits available. Click the pins for more details. It is now considered a famous beauty spot by many (sorry John, youve been outnumbered!). The Stables Bar next to the Monsal Head Hotel is a characterful rustic pub for a drink and bite to eat after your walk. If its waterfalls that float your boat there is another amazing waterfall on Kinder Scout. 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. Walk down the stairs in either direction to meet the Monsal trail below. Where is the best place to stay for the Monsal head walk? +44 1629 761 100. They also serve up some scrumptious afternoon tea with homemade scones and light bites throughout the day. When you reach the viaduct you can actually explore the dramatic headstone tunnel. Its also a good opportunity to show young kids the map features and get them started with map reading. I stayed at this campsite for 1 night with a group of friends following a great day's walking around Monsal Head. 1 from every sale of the iron-on patches goes towards the Peak District National Park Foundation, a registered charity established to raise funds to care for The Peak District National Park. After you cross this Monsal viaduct keep following the monsal trail into Cressbrook dale, Millers dale and Chee dale. Find out what maps you will need for your trip here. 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. Monsal Head - Short Stay (806397) Address - Monsal Head, Little Longstone, DE45 1NL. Please note that swimming and paddling in the river here is not permitted and fencing has been erected to protect Monsal Weir. Date of experience: April 2018. As its so easy to get to, you can expect tourists and coaches to stop here constantly throughout the day. Its only a short drive from popular locations like Bakewell and Ashford in the Water and a stop here can be squeezed into the very shortest of Peak District itineraries. Cross the road diagonally left to go through the largest wall gap.