The Monsul Trail & Bakewell Town

The Monsal Trail follows the path of the former Midland Railway from Blackwell Mill cottages to Coombs Viaduct, about 1km past the former Bakewell station - a distance of about 20km. For the most part the trail follows the path of the River Wye, which means it offers some spectacular scenery. The tunnels have been opened in May 2011 so make the most of them!

The Monsul Trail

The Monsal Trail tunnels are open for cycling, walking and horse riding offering one of the most spectacular leisure routes in Britain. There are many entrance points to the Monsal Trail along the route between Bakewell and Blackwell Mill at Chee Dale. Improvements have been to the access points at Blackwell Mill, Great Longstone Station and Coombs Road, Bakewell.

Accessibility
Wheelchair and mobility scooter users can access the trail through accessible ramps at Bakewell Station, Hassop Station, Great Longstone Station and Millers Dale Station.

Bakewell

Less than 200 years ago, Bakewell had narrow streets and timber framed properties, many of which had thatched roofs. The modern layout of the town only came about in the 19th century. Visitors flock to shop and explore the towns nooks and crannies, to admire the fine stone Derbyshire buildings, or just to relax in by the clear, sparkling waters of the River Wye.  Bakewell is famous for its Bakewell tart and for receiving royal charter as a market town in 1330.

Markets are still held every Monday in the town centre and there is a thriving livestock market. Bakewell is settled within a cluster of thermal springs and wells that attracted Iron Age settlers and, in Anglo-Saxon times, gave the place its name. The town has a long and fascinating history, is mentioned in the Dooms Day Book (1085),`Badequella’ meaning Bath-well. 

The Monsul Trail, Bakewell

Other Walks in the UK:

Walk a royal trail around the fields and woods of Windsor

A Circular Walk in Kent, England

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