Image shared for Monsal Trail: Bakewell Station to Blackwell Mill
Countryside Point to point

Monsal Trail: Bakewell Station to Blackwell Mill

Walk

Derbyshire

Distance
8.1 mi
Est. time
4h
Difficulty
Medium
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PaulWalkmates Route by PaulWalkmates
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About this walk

Start at the public Bakewell Station car park and use the signed ramp onto the Monsal Trail, turning north-west towards Hassop. Stay on the broad former railway through Hassop and Longstone, then pass through Headstone Tunnel and cross the famous Monsal Dale viaduct. Continue through the Cressbrook and Litton tunnels to Miller's Dale, then follow the railway over its viaducts and through the Chee Tor tunnels to the western trailhead at Blackwell Mill. Stay on the railway trail throughout.

Allow four hours with breaks for this one-way walk. Arrange collection or check your onward transport before starting; the mapped finish is the trailhead, not a bus stop or car park. The route has a firm gravel surface and gentle railway gradients, with shared use by cyclists and occasional horse riders. Bring a torch: tunnel lighting operates during daytime and individual lamps can fail. Wear grippy footwear for damp tunnel floors and carry food, water and a warm layer. Parking is pay and display at Bakewell Station, with toilets and refreshments at places such as Hassop and Miller's Dale when open. The trail is designed for ordinary walking, with no need to use the rocky Chee Dale riverside paths or stepping stones. Check the National Park's current trail notices before travel.

Walk details

County
Derbyshire
Walk type
Point to point
Category
Countryside
Distance
8.1 mi (13.1 km)
Est. time
4h
Explorer
Yes, off the beaten track

Route map

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Along the route

12 places
Parking
Essentials
Bakewell Station
Parking · 0.0 mi along
Toilets
Essentials · 1.0 mi along
Toilets
Essentials · 1.0 mi along
Hassop Station cafe
Cafe · 1.0 mi along
Parking
Essentials · 1.8 mi along
Monsal Head Long Stay
Parking · 3.2 mi along
Guidepost
Navigation · 3.4 mi along
Shelter
Essentials · 3.7 mi along
Lime Kiln
Ruins · 6.3 mi along
The Refreshment Room
Cafe · 6.4 mi along
Lime Kiln
Ruins · 6.8 mi along

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