Monsal Trail
Monsal Trail
4.5
11:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Monday
11:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
11:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
11:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
11:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Friday
11:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
11:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
11:00 PM - 11:59 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,802 reviews
Excellent
1,286
Very good
427
Average
61
Poor
21
Terrible
7
Joanie H
Dagenham, UK500 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
This is the first time we have gone along this trail even though we have been visiting this area for a number of years. We walked back from Bakewell to the place we were staying and we found it a lovely walk, really interesting, lots of beautiful scenery to see. After a steep hill to get into the trail it was flat the rest of the way. You pass a lot of the old railway stations that were there before the tracks were taken up and this is the the line that the trail takes.
We also walked through some of the old tunnels, they have lights in them to help you through and you are told not use them after dusk as this is when the lights go off. It’s great walking through these old tunnels, thinking about the old steam trains going through them.
You can cycle along the trail, and there were lots of cyclists using the trail, of course most of them were very sensible, but of course there were some who did not follow the measures listed in the many signs along the trail. People should not cycle through the tunnels but they do!! That’s my only moan! Other than that it is great and when I go back I will be walking along it again.
We also walked through some of the old tunnels, they have lights in them to help you through and you are told not use them after dusk as this is when the lights go off. It’s great walking through these old tunnels, thinking about the old steam trains going through them.
You can cycle along the trail, and there were lots of cyclists using the trail, of course most of them were very sensible, but of course there were some who did not follow the measures listed in the many signs along the trail. People should not cycle through the tunnels but they do!! That’s my only moan! Other than that it is great and when I go back I will be walking along it again.
Written August 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bob C
Lincoln, UK46 contributions
Oct 2021
Excellent cycling trail using the old railway track bed from Bakewell to Buxton. Trail is flat and pretty smooth. There is a slight but noticeable gradient from Bakewell to Buxton over the distance of about 7.5 miles so worth doing the route that way as you can almost freewheel on the way back. We started at the old Hassop station that has a good bike shop and cafe plus ample parking at about £5 all day, think we paid £3 for 4 hours which was plenty of time to do the trail with a stop for lunch. There is a nice cafe at about 5 miles in at the old station at Millers Dale. Stunning scenery throughout the ride especially Cressbrook Mill. The trail goes through 6 of the old tunnels which are now tarmacced and lit but bike lights are a good idea as they are still quite dim. We went on a Monday and there were still quite a few cyclists and walkers, a bell is a must, and I imagine it gets very busy at weekends. All in all a great day out added to our list of favourites, highly recommended.
Written October 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kensmoon
Lincoln, UK1,036 contributions
Oct 2020
We enjoyed a return walk from Millers Dale Car Park to Monsal Head. Some lovely views over the River Wye but for me the man made constructions stole the show.
The Monsal Dale Viaduct is a fine example of Victorian engineering. 300 feet long and seventy feet high, constructed with rubble limestone and blue brick dressings, the five arches spanning the River Wye.
The tunnels are the other highlights of the trail. Since the former Midland Railway Line closed in 1968 a £2.25 million project involved clearing the tunnels, surveying, repairs, resurfacing, installing lighting and other costs, allowing the public access for the first time since 2011.
It was fascinating to see up close the brick arched construction, the walls and roofs blackened with soot from thousands of journeys of steam trains carrying freight and passengers for over a hundred years. You can also see the 'refuges', mentioned by one of the women featured in the Monsal Trail Podcasts, an absorbing collection of memories and recollections from people who travelled and worked on the line. She remembers being in Headstone Tunnel in the blackness as a train thundered through, the tremendous noise from the locomotive and the most spectacular aspect being the red glow from the firebox as the fireman stoked the fire to make sure the train made it up the climb to Millers Dale.
The Monsal Dale Viaduct is a fine example of Victorian engineering. 300 feet long and seventy feet high, constructed with rubble limestone and blue brick dressings, the five arches spanning the River Wye.
The tunnels are the other highlights of the trail. Since the former Midland Railway Line closed in 1968 a £2.25 million project involved clearing the tunnels, surveying, repairs, resurfacing, installing lighting and other costs, allowing the public access for the first time since 2011.
It was fascinating to see up close the brick arched construction, the walls and roofs blackened with soot from thousands of journeys of steam trains carrying freight and passengers for over a hundred years. You can also see the 'refuges', mentioned by one of the women featured in the Monsal Trail Podcasts, an absorbing collection of memories and recollections from people who travelled and worked on the line. She remembers being in Headstone Tunnel in the blackness as a train thundered through, the tremendous noise from the locomotive and the most spectacular aspect being the red glow from the firebox as the fireman stoked the fire to make sure the train made it up the climb to Millers Dale.
Written October 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Taylor & Lauren
United Kingdom9 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
We hired E-bikes from Hassop Station to complete the trail.
Going in slightly pessimistic due to our lack of fitness levels, we completed the trail in 3 hours 30, including 2x 20 minute stops along the way.
We highly recommend the E-bikes for anyone that may struggle slightly with the nearly 18 mile journey, they made it much more enjoyable.
We stopped for a coffee at ‘The refreshment Room’ at Millers Dale Station - a lovely spot with equally lovely views, dog friendly, plenty of bike stands, picnic bench and toilets.
This was easily our favourite part of our 3 night stay in Buxton/Bakewell.
Going in slightly pessimistic due to our lack of fitness levels, we completed the trail in 3 hours 30, including 2x 20 minute stops along the way.
We highly recommend the E-bikes for anyone that may struggle slightly with the nearly 18 mile journey, they made it much more enjoyable.
We stopped for a coffee at ‘The refreshment Room’ at Millers Dale Station - a lovely spot with equally lovely views, dog friendly, plenty of bike stands, picnic bench and toilets.
This was easily our favourite part of our 3 night stay in Buxton/Bakewell.
Written February 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Young-ish couple with a baby
36 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
We were a little underwhelmed by this walk after seeing all the good reviews.
Our issue was that on walk we like to see nice views as we go along, this walk has nice views, but as it is an old railway the sides are banked for a lot of the walk meaning you can’t see much. We started in Bakewell and walked to Hassop Station cafe, the walk was a little uninspiring so we hired bikes from here. We then headed on. As mentioned before there are lovely views and going through the tunnels is something different, but we would recommend to start at Hessop Station and hire bikes. This way you can enjoy the views by stopping and also skip the less interesting parts.
The cycling is slightly uphill on the way out but you hardly feel it, which makes for a lovely quick and easy return journey ☺️
Our issue was that on walk we like to see nice views as we go along, this walk has nice views, but as it is an old railway the sides are banked for a lot of the walk meaning you can’t see much. We started in Bakewell and walked to Hassop Station cafe, the walk was a little uninspiring so we hired bikes from here. We then headed on. As mentioned before there are lovely views and going through the tunnels is something different, but we would recommend to start at Hessop Station and hire bikes. This way you can enjoy the views by stopping and also skip the less interesting parts.
The cycling is slightly uphill on the way out but you hardly feel it, which makes for a lovely quick and easy return journey ☺️
Written February 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Avux99
Cheshire, UK517 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Visited as a family of four to ride the trail. Parked at Wyedale, where you have a 3/4 mile ride along a decently surfaced bridleway to Blackwell Mill, where there is a short steep slope up to join the Monsal Trail proper.
The trail is well documented, you go over a series of viaducts & through six tunnels. It slopes gradually downhill from Blackwell Mill to Coombes Road in Bakewell. If you have unfit cyclists/young children, you can have the fittest in your party (in our case, lucky me) to turn around heading back up hill to Wyedale to get the car & pick the lazy/unfit up from Bakewell station!
The novelty aspect of the trail with the tunnels etc is great fun & some of the scenery is top drawer when it pops out from amongst the trees. However, as with a lot of these ex-railway tracks for significant stretches of the route you are effectively in a green trench. But overall the positives easily outweigh any negatives here.
Another positive thing which sets this trail apart are the facilities en route. eg at Hassop, there is a communal bike pump complete with bike tools & even a jetwash to wash the bike down post-ride. Excellent & unheard of on any other ex-railway trail I’ve ridden (so far).
Obviously the trail can get busy, so arrive early during peak season or even contemplate arriving late. If the sun isn’t going down until 9/10pm & you don’t mind a later finish, start later in the day when most have gone home ;)
If the other Peak cycle trails are this good, I’ll be a happy bunny.
The trail is well documented, you go over a series of viaducts & through six tunnels. It slopes gradually downhill from Blackwell Mill to Coombes Road in Bakewell. If you have unfit cyclists/young children, you can have the fittest in your party (in our case, lucky me) to turn around heading back up hill to Wyedale to get the car & pick the lazy/unfit up from Bakewell station!
The novelty aspect of the trail with the tunnels etc is great fun & some of the scenery is top drawer when it pops out from amongst the trees. However, as with a lot of these ex-railway tracks for significant stretches of the route you are effectively in a green trench. But overall the positives easily outweigh any negatives here.
Another positive thing which sets this trail apart are the facilities en route. eg at Hassop, there is a communal bike pump complete with bike tools & even a jetwash to wash the bike down post-ride. Excellent & unheard of on any other ex-railway trail I’ve ridden (so far).
Obviously the trail can get busy, so arrive early during peak season or even contemplate arriving late. If the sun isn’t going down until 9/10pm & you don’t mind a later finish, start later in the day when most have gone home ;)
If the other Peak cycle trails are this good, I’ll be a happy bunny.
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Edward
Santa Rosa, CA1,596 contributions
Dec 2022
The Monsal Trail is a lovely, very gentle countryside walk along an abandoned local rail line near Bakewell in the Peak District.
It allows one to get a nice feel for the countryside of the area but on a less strenuous trail than much of what is available in the area. It does lack the more rewarding or challenging aspects of some hikes, but the easy access is convenient, while the walk along an old rail line gives a different perspective.
It goes by old former rail stations, under bridges, through tunnels, and across viaducts with views. Many stations and other places along the trail have car parks, allowing easy access. Some of the spots along the walk have cafes or places to eat, shops, toilets, etc.
The view from the viaduct at the Monsal Dale is nice.
We parked at the old Bakewell train station and started from there, walking north to go across Monsal Dale and back, an easy but enjoyable walk.
It allows one to get a nice feel for the countryside of the area but on a less strenuous trail than much of what is available in the area. It does lack the more rewarding or challenging aspects of some hikes, but the easy access is convenient, while the walk along an old rail line gives a different perspective.
It goes by old former rail stations, under bridges, through tunnels, and across viaducts with views. Many stations and other places along the trail have car parks, allowing easy access. Some of the spots along the walk have cafes or places to eat, shops, toilets, etc.
The view from the viaduct at the Monsal Dale is nice.
We parked at the old Bakewell train station and started from there, walking north to go across Monsal Dale and back, an easy but enjoyable walk.
Written February 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
G3mm8
Whittlesey, UK187 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We started at great Longstone, we cycled to the end of the trail then to bakewell. My 7 year old did the whole 21 miles pretty easily of course he moaned a bit at times but the ice cream stop helped as did a stop in Bakewell to look at the fishes.
Would definitely recommend this cycle route definitely family friendly, great views can't beat the fresh air and great fun going through the tunnels pretending to be a train chooo chooo
Would definitely recommend this cycle route definitely family friendly, great views can't beat the fresh air and great fun going through the tunnels pretending to be a train chooo chooo
Written August 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sam O
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Couples
Phoned Blackwell Hire at 4.50pm Saturday evening and was able to hire bikes for myself and my husband. I hired an electric bike...thankfully. When we arrived on Sunday morning both bikes were ready for us, all was explained, we paid for the WHOLE day hire (not hourly) and just had to leave a driving licence as a deposit. The whole day was amazing, lots to do and see on the trail and all made that much easier for me and my knees with the assistance of the electric bike. 22 miles covered and could have done more. Loved the bike that much that this weekend just gone I've been and bought the exact same bike as was hired to me. (Raleigh bike). Thank you to all concerned, we both loved the whole experience.
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Caroline G
South Elmsall, UK20 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Paid for all day parking at Miller's Dale Station, which was good value at just under £5 for the day and was an excellent base location to explore the trail. There are well signposted walks with varying levels of difficulty starting at the car park, but also a number of straightforward circular walks that go on and off the trail. Cafés at Miller's Dale and Hassop Station are reasonably priced and great for taking a break.
The Peak District is absolutely beautiful and I can't think of many better places to relax in nature. There are steep climbs for those who want them, but as an old railway line, you can just as easily stay on the old track bed, which is flat and well maintained.
The Peak District is absolutely beautiful and I can't think of many better places to relax in nature. There are steep climbs for those who want them, but as an old railway line, you can just as easily stay on the old track bed, which is flat and well maintained.
Written April 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Luidee
England243 contributions
Can you access monsal trail near cressbrook? And is it easy access no steep inclines?
. We are staying at cressbrook and didn't want to drive to Hassop if we can access from our cottage/cresbrook
thanks so much
Eileen Mac
Liverpool, UK16 contributions
Yes you can, by the farm below Monsal Head off bottomhill road. Go over the bridge up a reasonably steep incline. Everything is accessible from Cresbrook, within walking distance. Beautiful walk along the river access through the Mill. Hope that helps.
Loff O
Derby, UK1 contribution
We are staying in Tideswell and want to cycle to get onto Monsal Trail. Is there a safer route than using the main road?
Margaret Research
24 contributions
Hi LoffO,
I believe, after extensive research, that the best and safest route for you would be to wait for low tide (check the up-to-date local timetable in the Titeswell library) and then you should be able to carry your bicyclets above your heads. The water will not be above calf height during low tide (check with local farmers regarding the height of the local calves though). Hope this helps.
Margaret
Youonlyliveonce
lincolnshire30 contributions
Can you do the 8.5 miles there and back in one day as would be parking the car at the start point or is there a circular route? We would be walking.
Sam3314
Derby, UK1,948 contributions
There is the TP3 bus which is a short walk from each end so you can park one end, walk and get the bus back. Bus also connects with Matlock railway station so you can do it all by public transport
Hannah M
Suffolk, UK66 contributions
Hi,
Could anyone tell me where we could make toilet stops please?
I understand the map is out of date.
Charles_and_Susan
Nottingham, UK5,649 contributions
Hi - the online map is OK I think. There are toilets at Hassop Station (bike hire here) and at Millers Dale station a bit over half way along. There are some too at Monsal Head but you have to leave the trail and go up a fairly steep path. Toilets in Bakewell too.
You'll find the map and info on the Peak District (.gov.uk) web site
Jane C
Sheffield, UK20 contributions
Can you hire bikes to ride on the trail ?
Charles_and_Susan
Nottingham, UK5,649 contributions
Hello - yes, we get ours from Hassop Station bike shop. There are toilets there too and a snack window with drinks and cakes, and more.
Holly Bourton
Clanfield, UK
Hello,
We are considering bringing our bikes with us but they are road bikes not mountain bikes and I wondered if this trail was suitable for road bikes with thin tyres?
Thank you for any help.
Charles_and_Susan
Nottingham, UK5,649 contributions
Hello, as you'll know, it's an old railway track that has been converted into a path. It consists mainly of hardcore flatten down. I suppose it's like a rough road but not with the tarmac. I would have thought if you ride on the roads then this would be OK - but I'm not an expert. The bikes we hired from Hassop Station were not mountain bikes.
Sunworshiper456
Staffordshire, UK247 contributions
Thinking on staying in Bakewell this December.
We are keen walkers.
Would it be ok to wrap up warm and do this trail in winter?
PunkMammy
South Shields, UK54 contributions
It should be fine in Winter ...start at either Bakewell or Hassop Station as both are on the flat. It will be lovely on a clear crisp day.
Monsal Trail (Bakewell) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Monsal Trail
- Monsal Trail is open:
- Sun - Sat 11:00 PM - 11:59 PM
- We recommend booking Monsal Trail tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Monsal Trail tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Monsal Trail:
- (0.15 mi) Orchard House B&B
- (0.15 mi) The House-Next-the Trail
- (0.18 mi) Millstream Mews
- (0.18 mi) Applegarth
- (0.18 mi) B&B at Old Mill
- Restaurants near Monsal Trail:
- (0.18 mi) Catch 32
- (0.14 mi) The Club House by Derbyshire Eats
- (0.18 mi) Flossys of Bakewell
- (0.44 mi) Restaurant Lovage By Lee Smith
- (0.18 mi) Relish