Full Description
Set in the beautiful countryside of the White Peak,
the ten delightful routes in this guide are all located in the south-east
corner of the Peak District, clustered within easy reach of Bakewell, Matlock
and Ashbourne. All but three of them are well served by local buses, so you can
leave the car behind in this popular area of the national park.
The
walks offer something for everyone, from the superb dale views at Monsal Head
and a gentle exploration of idyllic Dovedale, to the glorious parkland at England's
grandest stately home, Chatsworth, and discovering much humbler quarrying and
lime-making heritage on the accessible High Peak Trail. Easy-going, accessible
paths are also followed on sections of the Monsal Trail, along the colourful
towpath of the Cromford
Canal, and on the
Tissington Trail. The most energetic walk climbs Sugarloaf and runs on through
Wetton Hill Dale, with the promise of delicious refreshment at the Mill Tea
Rooms. The more daring might tackle the challenge of the stepping stones in
Dovedale, while the fascinating history of the plague and the custom of well
dressing are revealed on the outing from Eyam. Speaking of traditions, do enjoy
a slice of Bakewell Pudding at the end of Walk 4, relaxing near the ancient
bridge over the River Wye.
Contents
Eyam
and Stoney Middleton
The attractive village of Eyam
(pronounced 'Eem') is well known for its role during the plague outbreak in the
17th century and the brave sacrifice made by its villagers. This fascinating
walk passes through the heart of the village, with information boards providing
insightful history. Stoney Middleton, with its unique round church and
bathhouse, is explored before returning to Eyam past the famous boundary stone.
Do make time to visit Eyam's interesting museum (eyam- museum.org.uk).
Attractive
villages; plague history; a round church and bath house
Monsal
Head and Little Longstone
The view from Monsal Head over the viaduct
and down into the valley is one of the best-known viewpoints in the Peak District
National Park, and
arguably the most photographed. This walk takes you down into the dale and
along the delightful River Wye. The view from the viaduct is nearly as good as
the one from the head of the dale, and there's also the excitement of walking
through the longest tunnel on the Monsal Trail.
Superb
dale viewpoint; delightful River Wye; easy-going Monsal Trail
Baslow,
Chatsworth and Edensor
The mightily impressive Chatsworth House,
family seat of the Dukes of Devonshire, has dominated Chatsworth Park
for nearly 500 years. Although there's a charge for entry to the house and
gardens, permissive paths give free access to the extensive parkland. This easy
out-and-back walk passes through one of England's
grandest estates to the postcard-perfect village of Edensor.
Although the walking is straightforward, the views are exceptional. The walk
starts and finishes in the charming Peak District village of Baslow.
Glorious
deer parkland; pretty estate village; grand Chatsworth views
Bakewell
Known to the Romans for its thermal springs,
Bakewell grew from a 10th- century 'burh' (a military fort). It is now the only
town within the Peak
District National
Park boundary. The River Wye is particularly
scenic as it flows under Bakewell
Bridge, and the tangle of
narrow backstreets provides plenty of courtyard shopping and café delights.
This walk heads out of Bakewell on a quiet lane, returning along the Monsal
Trail and back over Bakewell
Bridge.
Scenic
river, ancient bridge, Monsal Trail and
Bakewell Pudding
Cromford
Canal
This accessible walk explores the historic
and beautiful Cromford
Canal, which is part of
the UNESCO Derwent Valley World Heritage Site. This is a popular location:
walkers need to be aware that children and dogs must be kept under close
control and should not enter the water. This walk crosses an aqueduct high
above the River Derwent. The area has many connections with Florence
Nightingale and her family - her great-uncle Peter was a notable landowner at Lea Bridge.
Nice
towpath; aqueduct crossing; canal, railway and mill heritage
Minninglow
and the High Peak Trail
The former Cromford and High Peak Railway
linked the canals at Cromford and Peak
Forest between 1831 and
1967. Now it provides easy walking for all through the scenic high limestone
plateau of the White
Peak. There are
embankments and cuttings, quarries and limekilns, then a slightly hillier
section before the route returns on easy-going tracks and lanes near land once
owned by monasteries. Take extra care of children/dogs on the embankments.
Great
views; easy-going trail; quarrying and lime-making heritage
Hartington
and Beresford Dale
Since Victorian times, people have visited
the dramatic steep-sided limestone dales of the Peak District to gaze in wonder
at the cliffs. This walk follows the sparkling waters of the River Dove through
the stunning gorge of Beresford Dale. Leaving the tranquil shelter of the
trees, the walk climbs steeply out of the dale to return to Hartington. Look
out for magnificent views back over the dale as you follow the road into the
village.
Beautiful
River Dove; Beresford Dale gorge; The Peak Pilgrimage
Wetton
Mill and Sugarloaf
Starting from the historic Wetton Mill, now a
café, this is a hilly and adventurous walk around the limestone outcrop of
Sugarloaf. But once above the main Manifold valley, you will feel a world away
from the visitor honeypots of Bakewell and lower Dovedale. There's disappearing
streams, wildflower meadows, stunning views of hills and plenty of historical
context from past railways to former copper mines. There's also a surprising
connection with Arthurian legend and the Bayeaux tapestry.
A hilly
walk to Sugarloaf and through Wetton
Hill Dale; ends at a nice café
Dovedale
Dovedale is perhaps the most iconic Peak
District location; so overcrowding can be an issue at times, particularly on
sunny summer weekends - try and visit at quieter times, if possible. This walk
starts and ends at Ilam, a pretty hamlet that has Saxon origins and an
unexpected Alpine feel. The way crosses fields to an accessible track by the
beautiful River Dove, with its clear-flowing waters, narrow limestone valley
and stepping stones, before retracing the route to return.
Idyllic
Dovedale along the scenic River Dove from NT Ilam Park
Thorpe
and Tissington
Tissington Trail is a lovely traffic- free
route created along the former Buxton to Ashbourne railway line. This
delightful walk passes through the Fenny Bentley Cutting, one of the prettiest
sections of the trail, and a riot of wildflowers in spring. The walk visits the
pretty estate village
of Tissington, with its
attractive duck pond and the impressive Tissington Hall, home of the
FitzHerbert family. Do leave time to visit the tearoom for refreshment.
Traffic-free
trail; pretty Tissington, with pond, tearooms and hall
