The walk then takes you past a the beautiful Monsal trail waterfall on the river Wye and back up along a woodland trail. We encourage you to contact the individual parking operators to verify the information. This post may contain affiliate links. Have you got the bottle to help create a plastic free Peak District? The Monsal Head viewpoint came about with the introduction of the Midlands Railway in 1863 which connected London with Manchester. 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. . Follow this path until you reach the bridge across the river. This path goes through a tunnel under the main Monsal trail. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. 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? Young children will enjoy the magic of the monsal valley and viaduct. We have a route guide to get to the waterfall from Edale. After a short distance turn left and keep following the path down until you reach the viaduct. We enjoyed a return walk from Millers Dale Car Park to Monsal Head. Short walk, great view from the start overlooking the valley and viaduct, and of course great to take small detour along the tunnel. Nice short walk with stunning views such as the waterfall. Monsal Head - Long Stay 89 spaces. Monsal Head car park - Searchforsites There is also a 500m section along a small country road (no footpaths). There are also annual and weekly parking permits available. Lots of seating outside and benches overlooking the gorgeous view of Monsal Head. Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here, Peak District Walks is a FREE online resource. Walk down the stairs in either direction to meet the Monsal trail below. Ask us any questions in the comments or via our social media. Do check out our top tips for hiking with young kids, as well as our essential items to take on a family hike in the Peak District. Distance 5.5 km Duration 2:43 h Ascent 194 m Descent 196 m A walk along Monsal Dale from Monsal Head car park. It can get quite muddy and slippy along here, so take care as you make your way downhill. Left click to hear in your web browser, or right click and choose 'Save Link As' to save to your computer or MP3 player. If the weather is fine, why not pick up some ice cream from their Monsal Head Ices truck which is just outside? Click here for the full list of Peak District Kids printable downloads. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Monsal Head - Parking in Ashford in the Water | ParkMe For all Ordnance Survey mapping on this website: Crown copyright 2023 OS 100066702, Jenny Lynn LtdRegistered in England and Wales:No. From Monsal Head car park, down to Monsal Weir on the River Wye then loop back under the viaduct back to the top. What is there to see and do on the Monsal Trail? Turn right and walk across the grass, past the weir and the onto a dirt path. This short and circular Monsal Head walk takes you past all these highlights! 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. 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. Home Page | LADOT Parking There are plenty of benches where you can sit and enjoy the views. 2. . It is the first time the public have been able to go through the tunnels since the former Midland Railway Line closed in 1968. Millers Dale - Car Park - Parkopedia Beautiful scenic walk, nice and steady steep at some points For specific fees and more information about car parks and parking permits, please visit https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/planning-your-visit/parking. On the other side of the road is a small short-stay car park. The Monsal Trail stretches for 8.5 miles and starts from Bakewell going via Chee Dale and ends up at Blackwell Mill. Its just on your right after the gate. The campsite has a small shop that sells the farm's own meats, eggs, cakes and treats, while the village is also host to a local shop and 3 great pubs, The Crispin Inn (01629 640237; bar full of trinkets and well-kept ales and a good beer garden) and The White Lion (01629 640252; a more modern feel), both just a 5-10-minute walk down Moor Road. If you park in this layby there is a small path (on the other side of the wall) that leads back to Monsal Head. Once you have found the start of the trail head down to the right. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm a UK-based solo female travel blogger. 2 photos. 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. We have a guide with what to do, who you need to call and also some useful kit that should be in your backpack. INRIX receives parking information, including pricing, from many sources. Standing at the top of the road that heads down to Cressbrook (which is worth driving through if you have the time!) 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. Read more. Its also popular with walkers on the Monsal Trail. So, what is there to do at Monsal Head viewpoint? The Monsal Dale Viaduct is a fine example of Victorian engineering. Third Eye Traveller is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Login in to view the coordinates. Legacy Partners, 1600 Vine, Los Angeles. The Valley is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and also as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The car park machine was cash only, although it does mention another machine that takes card payments. You can also head over to the spa town of Buxton with its gorgeous crescent, Pavilion Gardens, and Solomons Temple. On allPeak District family walksits a good idea to have an Ordnance Survey paper map with you, even if you have your phone on you. Terrain and Accessibility: The Monsal Head walk mostly follows smooth paths and roads. We always recommend you wear appropriate footwear to avoid injuries and to take a paper map and compass on your walks. Thank you so much. 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! Ah so lovely to hear Im glad you had a wonderful walk in the rain! So, you could see all of this area in around 10 minutes if you just wanted to take a quick photo. It's located in the White Peak area of the national park in the county of Derbyshire. Monsal Head - Short Stay 19 spaces. There are many entrance points to the Monsal Trail along the route between Bakewell and Blackwell Mill at Chee Dale see our map. Stage 1 Monsal Head to Monsal Dale Weir, Stage 2 Monsal Dale Weir to Monsal Head. 0-1 - 1.50. Copyright Third Eye Traveller 2023 | Disclosure & Privacy Policy, Monsal Head overnight parking charge 1. This is at no extra cost to you. Were so unfit but thank you so much. Once youre over the other side, there is a small beach area of the river for the kids to play in the mud/sand to the left. Youre 231 metres above sea level so you can see all over the valley with the River Wye below. Today, its still a popular stop for people who want to see some of the best views in the national park or those who want to experience the popular Monsal Trail. Youll see a walking sign pointing to either side of the steps and from here, there are some amazing angles for photos. Monsal Head Walk Suitability for family: This walk is great for families with children of any age. Check the weather for your walk location and hills. Bus services from Nottingham, Derby and Manchester operate along the A6, the nearest main road to the Monsal Trail, with stops at Bakewell town centre, Ashford in the Water, White Lodge, Taddington, Blackwell Turn and Wye Dale (limited service). Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire DE45 1NL, UK. Places . There is also a layby for FREE roadside parking on Castlegate Lane (B6465) a few hundred meters north of Monsal Head. After reading some of the negative reviews we weren't expecting much. Go though the gate and continue walking down the path through the trees where you can get a glimpse of Monsal Viaduct and the Monsal Trail. And dont forget your compass, I recommend the Silva Expedition compass. 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. Or if you fancy making the walk longer you can add an extra out and back to explore more of the beautiful Derbyshire Dale, Monsal Dale. If you walk through Headstone tunnel you can walk to Hassop and Bakewell along the Monsal trail. Other routes include services operating from Chesterfield and Sheffield to Bakewell and also to Buxton via Tideswell and Millers Dale. 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. Lovely trail, a few steep bits but worth it for the views! Plenty of parking. Can get muddy in wet weather. Monsal Head is very close to the quaint village of Ashford in the Water with its famous Sheepwash Bridge. This walk begins from Monsal Head where you can enjoy the views down to the valley including the impressive viaduct. After 0.5 km, turn left onto Vicarage Lane and follow it for another 0.5 km. From cafs, pubs, a popular ice cream truck, and picnic spots. Its only 1 all night which is perfect if you wanted to visit for sunset photos or grab some dinner from the Stable Bar. 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 Bakewell Station. Theres also a little river-beach to play on just past the weir. Find parking charges, opening hours and a parking map of all Monsal Head car parks, street parking, pay and display, parking meters and private garages. 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. Are you enjoying the walks? You can either choose to grab a drink and some snacks or a pub meal from their menu of dishes. The trail runs along the former Midland Railway line for 8.5 miles between Blackwell Mill, in Chee Dale and Coombs Road, at Bakewell. https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/planning-your-visit/parking. . More information about our Privacy Policy. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. After the viaduct keep going straight ahead across the fields keeping the river to your left. 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. then press "Register", Add a short description of the image e.g. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites., essential items to take on a family hike in the Peak District. The start of the trail GPS coordinates 53.24064, -1.72500. toddler friendly walks in the Peak District, UNIQUE places to stay in the Peak District, Yorkshire Holidays for Families | 16 Getaway Ideas for 2023, 40 Things to do in Bali with kids ULTIMATE GUIDE 2023, Wiang Kum Kam Ancient City Chiang Mai 2023, 7 BEST areas to stay in Chiang mai 2023 LATEST GUIDE, The 5 best beaches in Phuket for family 2023 Thailand guide, Reopening Thailand 2022 FULL guide (latest update May 2022). Best Ashford in the Water Walks - Monsal Dale Circular Walk 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. The Monsal Headstone Viaduct was protected and became a Grade II listed building in 1970. Its also a good opportunity to show young kids the map features and get them started with map reading. The viewpoint is only 5 minutes drive from the cute village of Ashford in the Water along the B6465 country roads. You can access Monsal Head by car. 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.