The Monsal Trail

The Monsal Trail (Route 680 of the National Cycle Network) is in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales, and came to the cycling scene rather late due to the fact that the disused railway line had six tunnels and these had been boarded up for many years.  They have been opened up, fitted with electric lights, and a good tarmac surface laid, making a stunning feature alongside the equally stunning limestone crags and the dramatic deep gorges.

The trail runs between Bakewell and Wyedale, the latter being 3 miles East of Buxton and there  are hopes that one day it will run into Buxton itself, which has a live railway station unlike Bakewell.
The trail is about 9 miles long and has a drop of about 350 feet from Wyedale down to Bakewell.
Access is probably better from the Bakewell end as there is free car parking on Coombes Road and if you have a folding bike you can take it on the TransPeak bus from Derby (hourly service at 10 mins to the hour). Car parking at Wyedale costs £4.50 per day.
A wide variety of cycles can be hired at Hassop Station and at Blackwell Mill in Wyedale.
Access to the trail at both ends is by way of very steep gravel slopes and cyclists are advised to dismount and walk both up and down. Failure to do this may mean that your bike will  reach the bottom of the slope before you do! Or perhaps vice versa.
The trail is very popular with walkers and cyclists, so best to avoid weekends and school holidays if you can. Views from the trail are superb but somewhat restricted by foliage in the summertime, so more extensive in the winter months.
The following photographs are in order from Bakewell, where we start by following the Chesterfield road from the town centre, crossing the River Wye on this lovely old bridge.
The route is featured in the Sustrans book "Traffic Free Cycle Rides" published 2015. See page 180.

                              The town centre is to the left here and Coombes Road to the right.

          Once on the embankment we can see over towards Bakewell  Church spire arrowed.

                            One can see the upward gradient as we head towards Bakewell station.

                    And here it is through the bridge arch. Note the beautiful stone work.

                                        On again now with the gradient still noticeable.

                                                    Looking back at Thornbridge Hall

 The entrance to Headstone Tunnel.  Pause just inside for a few minutes to let your eyes become accustomed to the darkness, and switch on lights if you have them, so that oncoming walkers and cyclists can see you in the gloom.

                                        Emerging from the tunnel back into the sunlight.

                               Looking back we see how much solid rock is above the tunnels..

                                The River Wye and the cottages are way below the path level.

                         Cyclists head towards Bakewell across the viaduct.

                                       View of the valley below at the Monsal Viaduct.

                                                              View of Cresswell Mill.

                                      Walkers emerge from the Cressbrook Tunnel.

This gigantic concrete structure beside the path is a disused lime kiln where limestone and coal were tipped in at the top and burned to make lime for agricultural purposes. Coal came in by train and the limestone is all around us.

These tunnels were a masterpiece of Victorian engineering and it's nice to see them back in use and that they are in such good condition.

 One more bridge across the trail and we come to Wyedale, where we turn off right......................

                             ..................... to descend the slope down to river level

Here is the Blackwell Mill Cycle Hire and Tuck Shop 

..................where you can hire all kinds of bikes, get your own repaired and buy food and drinks

   Opposite are these lovely stone cottages, the River Wye and even a fly fisherman on this occasion.

Although we have seen the river way down below us for most of the journey, we are now down on the river bank and it's well worth riding along the half mile or so to the Wyedale Car Park. Take care though, as this road does have a little motorised traffic, and there are several sharp blind bends with little room to pass.

Update 20th January 2016
The path through Wyedale has bee re-surfaced by Derbyshire County Council. See below.