Find out what maps you will need for your trip here. There are also public toilets located at the long stay car park at Monsal Head. Be prepared this is a long, challenging and intrepid trek. Turn right to follow the field path towards Monsal Head. Getting to the Monsal Dale Walk Trailhead. Straight across A6 and go west following River Wye to . The aim is to encourage people to cut car use, reduce traffic congestion and use bicycles more. There are no plans to extend existing car parks or build new ones. Continue along the footpath for another 100 metres and walk over the footbridge to cross over the River Wye. It is now considered a famous beauty spot by many (sorry John, youve been outnumbered!). For an EPIC view point dont miss Bamford Edge. Both the short stay and long stay Monsal Head car parks are open 24 hours a day and parking charges apply all day. The prices for parking: There is also a small short stay car park at the front of the pub overlooking Monsal Dale. 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. Monsal Head - Long Stay 89 spaces. 2 min. It was dry on the day we went but I imagine in a down poor it can be very slippy. You then descend through the trees down to the River Wye where there are plenty of places to stop for a picnic of watch water cascade over the weir. There are plenty of benches where you can sit and enjoy the views. Very muddy and flooded but no problem with the right boots :), Nice stroll taking time to appreciate our world. Click here for more details on the Monsal Trail walking route. Can get muddy in wet weather. This Monsal Head walk is a classic Peak District walk and perfect if youre just looking for a casual Sunday afternoon stroll. The map required for this walk is theOrdnance Survey OL24 Peak District (White Peak Area). Everyone we saw regretted it. Keep following this path by the river until you see a waterfall on your left. Please keep the Peak District beautiful and respect everyone who uses the park. If you purchase through these, Peak District Walks earn from the qualifying links. Monsal Head is only a 15 minute drive from Bakewell a beautiful Peak District town famous for its traditional dessert the Bakewell pudding. Monsal Head car park We had a brilliant time and will be back! 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. You will hear the water gushing over Monsal Weir before you see it. 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. '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. If you fancy spending the night in Monsal Head and waking up to spectacular views over the valley each morning, you could opt for a night in the Monsal Head Hotel. 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. Each tunnel is about 400 metres long and will be lit during normal daylight hours. Should you click to purchase, it is at no additional cost to you, but I receive a small commission. Look out for Mandarin Ducks as they are often in this area. Or, you can head into the pretty town of Bakewell to try the famous Bakewell Pudding or a Bakewell Tart. 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. Dont miss out on the most AMAZING of all the Peak District walks for families. It provides amazing views over Monsal Dale valley, the Monsal Viaduct, River Wye, and beyond! If youre after an epic family day out check out Chatsworth house with its awesome play park, farm and gardens. Want to print off this walk guide rather than rely on your mobile? 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. 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 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. 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. 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. Or get in touch and I will help as best I can :). There is a pay and display long stay car park located behind the pub with plenty of parking. 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. Walk Time: 5-6 hours Difficulty: Distance: 13.2 miles (23 km) Trig Points Bagged: Wardlow Hay Cop Lots of seating outside and benches overlooking the gorgeous view of Monsal Head. Time for an ice-cream from the van or a pint in the Stable Bar. 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? Other things to see and do near Monsal Head. 1.5-mile route. This is at no extra cost to you. Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here, Peak District Walks is a FREE online resource. Be aware that there are some steep sections of path and steps. 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. Once youve parked up in the Monsal Head car park, the viewpoint is less than a minutes walk away from there. Postcode is: DE45 1NL. There is plenty of things to see on this exciting walking and cycling trail through the heritage railway line. Best time to visit: This area is very beautiful in the evening. 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! After around 1km you will reach Monsal Head again. If the conditions are right you can also see low cloud in the valley. 6. Other routes include services operating from Chesterfield and Sheffield to Bakewell and also to Buxton via Tideswell and Millers Dale. Hard in places very busy. Please also take all litter home with you, dont bring BBQs and park your car in designated parking areas. We have a longer trig walk coming soon to include Wardlow and High Rake trig points. 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. Ah thats wonderful, Im so glad you enjoyed the route and glad to hear youre planning to do more . Follow the Monsal Head postcode DE45 1NJ or click the Google Pin here! The STUNNING Monsal Head hotel is right at the start of this walk overlooking Monsal Dale and the viaduct. 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. The Monsal Trail is one of the most popular cycling and walking trails in the Peak District National Park and its easily accessible from this viewpoint. 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. Read more here. 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. This post may contain affiliate links. Stage 1 Monsal Head to Monsal Dale Weir, Stage 2 Monsal Dale Weir to Monsal Head. 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.   The main draw for visiting here is without a doubt the postcard-worthy views you can get from all around this viewpoint. Bamford edge affords amazing views over Lady Bower reservoir. Tunnel through Reopened with several others in 2011, the tunnel provides a superb route chiselled along the cliffs of the Wye's gorge. Its run by Hulleys of Baslow and they have buses that run back and forth every two hours. We stayed at Park House Campsite in 2012 having read generally good reviews. The path then continue across a second bridge, with another small gap to squeeze through! We have also compiled a list of TRIED and TESTED toddler friendly walks in the Peak District. Monsal Head car park Monsal Dale The Viaduct Headstone Tunnel Monsal Trail Ashford-in-the-Water Pennyunk Lane 1 From the car park pass the toilets on your right to walk between the Monsal Head Hotel and the Stable Bar. Services, Event What is parking like at Monsal Head? 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! Nearby you can also explore the Thornbridge outdoor centre, Cressbrook dale and Peters stone. There is also a 500m section along a small country road (no footpaths). 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? Four of the longer tunnels are lit during daylight hours, dawn to dusk, to make them safe to use. And dont forget your compass, I recommend the Silva Expedition compass. Nowadays, even though the railway is not here, Monsal Head Viewpoint is still an extremely popular tourist destination. Filter. Please note 'Peak District Walks' accepts no liability for any injuries or accidents resulting from walking our routes. then press "Register", Add a short description of the image e.g. It also includes a waterfall and two bridge crossings of the river. Continue walking down the trail for around 500m and dont turn off. Chapel Street Longnor Pride and Prejudice Filming Location The Real Lambton Inn! Click here for Google Map point on your phone. For specific fees and more information about car parks and parking permits, please visit https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/planning-your-visit/parking. Terrain and Accessibility: The Monsal Head walk mostly follows smooth paths and roads. Please note 'Peak District Walks' accepts no liability for any injuries or accidents resulting from walking our routes. From the viewpoint, follow the footpath to the left (signposted Ashford Monsal Dale), which leads downhill. If the lights go off because of a power failure there is a two hour emergency back up in place. Let me know in the comments if youve done this walk fromMonsal Head and what you think! 4. 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. Just before you reach Monsal Weir you will walk through a wooden gate. Heres a lovely short walk from Monsal Head with stunning views down to the valley of Monsal Dale and Monsal Trail over the viaduct. The prices for parking: Up to 1 hour 1.50 Up to 2 hours 2.50 Up to 3 hours 3.80 Up to 4 hours 5.00 All day 6 hours Want more ideas for family walks?Best Family Walks in the Peak DistrictPram Friendly Peak District walksToddler walks in the Peak DistrictAlso, come and join our friendly Peak District Kids Facebook Group for any questions or to share photos of your walks. Or visit the Peak District Kids shop. 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. The walk starts just opposite to Hobbs Cafe on the corner of the road that leads down into Monsal Dale. 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. at the footpath signs with the ice cream booth to your left take the path to the right . I want to inspire you & turn your wildest travel dreams into a reality through my travel guides! The Monsal Head overlooks part of the popular Monsal Trail, which leads through the dale and to some enchanting places. City Services City Directory Search searchform-top Continue along this footpath for 800 metres. Visit ourhiking recommendations page, (footwear, clothes + kit). 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. 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. Monsal Head is a viewpoint that lies high above the Monsal Trail and the Monsal Viaduct. This is at no extra cost to you. Click the pins for more details. 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. Walk highlights: Monsal Dale valley, River Wye and views of the viaduct from above and below. There is a section across a grassy field by the river. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Lovely trail, a few steep bits but worth it for the views! Monsal Head - Short Stay (806397) Address - Monsal Head, Little Longstone, DE45 1NL. There are community toilets available at the start of the walk at Monsal Head car park (the block near the entrance). You will soon see stunning views to your left over Monsal Dale. Or, if youre heading to Monsal Head by bus there is a Bakewell to Monsal Head bus service. There are also annual and weekly parking permits available. There are some nice ways to extend the Monsal Head walk. Its owned by the same company that runs the Stable Bar nearby and they have seven boutique rooms on offer for guests. Posted on Last updated: December 31, 2022. There is a large flat grass area on one side of the river that lends its self to relaxing. We always recommend you wear appropriate footwear to avoid injuries and to take a paper map and compass on your walks. The start of the trail GPS coordinates 53.24064, -1.72500. From here, you get unobstructed birds-eye views of the iconic Monsal Headstone Viaduct below. Awesome short trail to see Monsal Head and the Weir. Your Directions were easy to follow and spot on. Well, beyond the obvious draw of amazing views there are quite a few amenities around here! Parking: Monsal Head Car Park Long Stay, Castlegate Lane De45 1NJ. Satnav Quick Search ID: S24643S Buxton, Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom, DE45 1NL. *Peak District Walks participates in the Amazon Services Associates Programme, as well as other affiliateprogrammes. 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. Alternatively Stanage Edge is a gorgeous spot for a family walk. Some lovely views over the River Wye but for me the man made constructions stole the show. Monsal Trail: Monsal head carpark - See 1,803 traveller reviews, 1,154 candid photos, and great deals for Bakewell, UK, at Tripadvisor. If the weather is fine, why not pick up some ice cream from their Monsal Head Ices truck which is just outside? There are several steep sections. Two shorter tunnels - Chee Tor No.2 and Rusher Cutting already formed part of the Monsal Trail. Monsal Head Walk Suitability for family: This walk is great for families with children of any age. When you reach the small road turn right and walk down the road. Be prepared you need to be able to do a little rock climbing to get into the cave itself. After youve soaked up the views, go through the small gate via the outdoor seating area and youll come out by the Monsal Head pub (great for after your walk). A Parking Management Company, born in Hollywood, CA, TOM MEREDITH 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! 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. Personally I would start by the cafe and take a left down the very steep steps and make the loop round and back up the steady incline. So, you could see all of this area in around 10 minutes if you just wanted to take a quick photo. From Monsal Head car park, down to Monsal Weir on the River Wye then loop back under the viaduct back to the top. Bookings; Monsal Head. Interpretation explaining the former history of the route has also been installed. For this walk you need theOS Explorer Active Map OL 24(WhitePeak). Open from Jan to Dec. Council car park .. 1 from 6 til 8 . Parking, Online I stayed at this campsite for 1 night with a group of friends following a great day's walking around Monsal Head. 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 Thank you for engaging with us and helping us improve. The Monsal Head Stable Bar is a popular pub at Monsal Head that has a cosy seating area indoors and a large pub garden too! 7.55. nice food at the pub too, Amazing easy trail suitable for families with small kids. You can access Monsal Head by car. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. The path now gradually begins to incline and youll get some more beautiful views of the viaduct on your right. 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. Are you enjoying the walks? But a really nice place. A bit of a struggle up and the path is narrow so you will need to give way/be close to others so bare in mind if your dog is reactive. Alternatively if you keep following the valley past the waterfall you can walk to Deep Dale. *Peak District Walks participates in the Amazon Services Associates Programme, as well as other affiliateprogrammes. When this railway was constructed, multiple buildings were built on top of Monsal Head for railway workers and visitors along with the Railway Hotel. This path goes through a tunnel under the main Monsal trail. It's totally free and you get so much more by joining in! Car parking address:Monsal Head car park, Ashford in the Water, Bakewell, DE45 1NL Google maps. 9. It is illegal for motor vehicles and motorcycles to use the route. Getting there: There are no public transport routes to Monsal Head. Ended up tagging on a 15k walk down monsall trail to the end and back! Green Bridge Investments, Los Angeles, JACK RAVAN Thanks so much! Turn right and walk across the grass, past the weir and the onto a dirt path. Its also a good opportunity to show young kids the map features and get them started with map reading. Once across youll see a some buildings, walk past these then immediately after the building, turn right and head down the footpath alongside them. 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. Peak District Kids is a free online resource. You cant see the old railway tracks but you may be able to see people walking over the bridge where the train used run! After a short distance turn left and keep following the path down until you reach the viaduct. AND dont miss these UNIQUE places to stay in the Peak District. read here Please keep the Peak District beautiful and respect everyone who uses the park. If you park in this layby there is a small path (on the other side of the wall) that leads back to Monsal Head. Continue straight on to reach the Monsal Head car park, with picnic benches, a pub and a tea room for refreshments if needed. The monsal trail goes through the tunnel. Id recommend shopping in The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop but you may have to queue! There are also annual and weekly parking permits available. 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 You can say thank you and buy me a coffee here. Also, look out for the beautiful Mandarin Ducks along the River Wye as they are popular along this part of the river. This is the shortest of all the monsall trails I know of but still includes the best parts of the tunnel The most iconic view of the dale is from Monsal Head viewpoint. 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). 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. Dont miss the beautiful village Ashford in the Water stunning on a summer evening. 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. Click here for the full list of Peak District Kids printable downloads. As its so easy to get to, you can expect tourists and coaches to stop here constantly throughout the day. Perhaps print out a copy for the kids to follow the step-by-step directions and/or photos? Beautiful short route, saw some many people with buggies, its really not practical for that. Near Bamford Edge we also love Stanage Edge home to the REAL Robin Hoods cave. Note there is no footpath along this road so go carefully. Saying that, whichever place you decide to park, the area is quite small and the walking distances here are extremely short. South Park Group, SEAN HASHEM For specific fees and more information about car parks and parking permits, please visit. Read more here. Follow the path up to the left. 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. Option to extend walk Instead of right, turn left after youve crossed the bridge and walk alongside the river for about 1 km then returning the same route. If you enjoyed one of our walks, you can show your support by buying me a coffee. Read more here. Leave Miller's Dale old station car park and head right along the multi-purpose Monsal Trail for Wye Dale. Read more here. Lightweight transport vehicles (also known as 'e-scooters' are notpermitted on our trails network). 1. Monsal Dale weir. Young children will enjoy the magic of the monsal valley and viaduct. Distance 5.5 km Duration 2:43 h Ascent 194 m Descent 196 m A walk along Monsal Dale from Monsal Head car park. Are you enjoying the walks? Great great little route. It's located in the White Peak area of the national park in the county of Derbyshire. 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. website by w brand studio, newport beach, copyright 2021 carpark inc. The way soon crosses the first of a series of viaducts before plunging into Chee Tor Tunnel. This is also one of the best places to capture photos of the Monsal Headstone Viaduct. Use postcode DE45 1BU to get the central Bakewell car parks. The Monsal Trail stretches for 8.5 miles and starts from Bakewell going via Chee Dale and ends up at Blackwell Mill. 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). Facilities: Public toilets in the car park and pub at Monsal Head Hotel. 5. From the car park follow the path signposted Monsal Viaduct, down a series of steps through trees. This well lit route allows cyclists and walkers to enjoy the tunnel section of the trail that links monsal dale to Bakewell. The nearest train stations are at Buxton and Matlock but would require a bus journey to an access point. 2011-2019 INRIX Inc. All rights reserved. This walk starts near the beautiful Monsal Head hotel and Stables bar. Youll see a walking sign pointing to either side of the steps and from here, there are some amazing angles for photos. During peak hours 8am 6pm Up to 1 hour 1.50. Pretty steep at the end, we chose the path on the left to start was a nice steady decline. WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Amazing views of Headstone Viaduct across Monsal Dale, an impressive weir, and you walk right underneath the viaduct too. 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. For app subscribers you can now download all the POI to import into your favourite sat nav device, You can then use this ID: S24643S to find the site quickly without having to enter any coordinates or address, App users can also use the following apps to navigate to this location with just one click, Third party apps must be installed and additional payment may be required, To enable GPS navigation, you need to have the relevant app installed on your device, Guide prices are indicative only and based on two people without electricity where electric is available as a separate charge, always check current pricing, Not all facilities listed may be available at all times, searchforsites accepts no responsibilty for the accuracy of the data shown, Views from the back/top end of the car park, parked up! 7. The car park machine was cash only, although it does mention another machine that takes card payments. So, you could take in the views at Monsal Head, then carry on down the hill towards the valley to see the spectacular views of the Monsal Dale below! Login in to view the coordinates. Monsal Head car park. There are benches on the lower viewpoint and from here you can see the Monsal Viaduct, the River Wye, and the Monsal Dale Valley. Find out about the best walks, bike rides, attractions, eateries and accommodation for families in and around the UK's oldest National Park. Beautiful scenery all round. 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. The Monsal Head viewpoint came about with the introduction of the Midlands Railway in 1863 which connected London with Manchester. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); OS Online App one month or yearly option. 0-1 - 1.50. In winter it can get rather foggy so be sure to keep eyes on the route. Residents of the area are allowed to purchase permits exempting . LADOT operates over 38,000 parking meters across the city for your convenience and developing digital tools to make parking more convenient for you. 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. Once you have found the start of the trail head down to the right.