Monsal Trail
A 9-mile walk in the Peak District following the course of the disused Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midland Junction Railway from Topley Pike Junction to Coombs Road near Bakewell. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SK 11168 72610
Distance: 9 miles (14.5 km)
Time: 3–4 hours
Duration: 1 day
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000):
OL24 The Peak District – White Peak Area
Summary
The Monsal Trail is a cycling, horse-riding, and walking trail in the Derbyshire Peak District. It was constructed from a section of the former Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midland Junction Railway, which was built by the Midland Railway in 1863 to link Manchester with London and closed in 1968. The Monsal Trail is 9 miles (14.5 km) long and opened in 1981. It starts at the Topley Pike Junction in Wye Dale, 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Buxton, and runs to Coombs Viaduct, 1 mile (1.6 km) south-east of Bakewell, following the valley of the River Wye.
The trail passes through Blackwell Mill, Chee Dale, Millers Dale, Cressbrook, Monsal Dale, Great Longstone, Hassop, and Bakewell. The route features numerous landmarks, including the Headstone Viaduct, Cressbrook Mill, Litton Mill, and Hassop railway station, and passes through six former railway tunnels. (Source: Wikipedia)