A quick return to the Peak District National Park. This time we are in the 'White Peak' Limestone area. It is another of the famous beauty spots located in the area. From our lofty viewpoint we look down into the Dale and the winding River Wye. Perhaps most stunning of all is the Old Headstone Railway Viaduct.The bridge, which stands near the 533-yard (487 m) Headstone Tunnel, is 300 feet (91 m) long. It had five 50-foot (15 m) span arches, some 70 feet (21 m) high at the centre.
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The weather is a lot cooler than when we left home earlier. We have also had a light shower of rain. Our first task is to make our way down the valley to somewhere near the water pictured above. The majority of visitors seem content to stay on the 'Monsal Trail' itself. An 8.5 mile long traffic free route for walkers and cyclists. he route follows the former Manchester to London Midland Railway line, closed in the late 1960s. We be coming back this way as part of the circular route we have planned.
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| Monsal Dale Weir |
In a matter of minutes we are down at ground level looking up (rather than down). We are following the trail of the River Wye through Monsal Dale towards Taddington Dale. The views looking back are spectacular as the weather brightens up a little. At the moment the walking is fairly easy. The ground is fairly level with just the odd stile to negotiate. Thankfully the Cows are all laying down quite sedately, maintaining a watchful eye. We have now moved into 'High Dale' and the charming Hamlet of Brushfield.
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Things now get progressively more difficult. We are walking in the direction Of Chee Dale. This involves passing through 'Millers Dale Nature Reserve'. This former disused Limestone quarry is now a haven for plants and wildlife. The descent is extremely steep though . There are some very deep steps that take us all the way down to the road.
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| Chee Dale Railway Arches |
From the road we pick up the path that will take us through the Chee Dale Nature Reserve. We are right down in the Limestone gorge. It is a bit like being in a scene from Jurassic Park at times. Thankfully today it is dry and the clambering over the rocks is manageable. In wet conditions it would be very slippy and a totally different proposition. The surrounding 200 ft cliffs make for excellent rock climbing. We are just focusing on the 'Stepping Stones'. At times when the river is high they do get totally submerged.
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After safely negotiating the Stepping Stones we pass under the imposing Railway Arches. Today they are weathered and full of character. This hasn't always been the case though.When built in 1863 it was seen as controversial, and destroying the beauty of the dale. In 1970 Grade II listed status was given.
We re-join the Monsal Trail which will take us back to our starting point at Monsal Head. The trail is 8.5 miles long, stretching at its furthest points between Blackwell Mill in Chee Dale and Coombs Road in Bakewell. We pass the old station at Millers Dale. It has been turned into a Cafe now. It was originally opened in 1863 before completely closing in 1967. The walking is much easier now than what has gone before. Perfect for the many cyclists who use the trail as well as walkers. We have a couple of tunnels to pass through, the first being Litton Tunnel (471metres). Closing on 1st July 1968.
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| Millers Dale Station |
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The second tunnel is 'Cressbrook'. A similar length to 'Litton' opened in 1863 closing just over a century after it opened. Another victim of the Beeching-era cuts, part of 'The Reshaping of British Railways'. A plan to cut more than 5,000 miles of track and more than 2,000 stations. Today the tunnels, unlike similar ones in Northamptonshire, are very well lit. We continue on the Monsal Trail back to our start point. It has been another really beautiful and interesting walk.
In total we have walked 12.33 miles, 25,702 steps and over a thousand feet in elevation.
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