Peak District walk around Monsal Dale, Derbyshire

Monsal Dale and Brushfield Circuit

Difficulty level: 2 (1 to 5 scale)
Distance: 10.00 km
Estimated time: 2.5 hours - excluding stops
Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 map sheet(s): 119

This is a pleasant circuit which starts and ends at Monsal Head, a famous Peak District beauty spot. The route goes along Monsal Dale, over the limestone ridge through which the River Wye carves out its valley near Fin Cop, and then descends back into the valley to return to Monsal Head.

Monsal Dale View

Park in the car park behind the Monsal Head Hotel. At weekends in summer this becomes extremely busy, so you may need to get there early! After admiring the view from the Head, cross the road and go through a stile in the wall. This leads, via a path through the woods, to the old railway line below. The tunnel through which the line passed under Monsal Head is now blocked up, but twenty years ago these could be used to add interest to some of the walks in the area. However, one feature which has not been shut is the striking viaduct across the Dale, with splendid views in all directions.

Walk along the path of the railway north-west up Monsal Dale for about 2 kilometres, passing through the former Monsal Dale station on the way, until you approach the next tunnel, which has also been blocked up. Here the path takes a line around the hillside to the right, trending downhill, and then branches. The left branch leads along a spectacular but exposed path above the gorges of Water cum Jolly, the right branch leads down to Cressbrook Mill and an easy path along the opposite bank of the river. Which one you choose depends upon your inclination. Both are very impressive routes through the gorge which the river makes here.

The two alternatives converge again 2km further on at Litton Mill, where the railway line re-emerges. If you have crossed the river, then you must re-cross it on the footbridge and follow the path back up to the track of the railway. About 100m west there is a bridge and a stile just on the left (south) side of it. Take this stile and follow the path steeply up the hillside, perhaps taking the excuse of the magnificent view to take the occasional rest.

View of Brushfield from Sheldon

At the top of the hill the path takes a line approximately soth-west through a series of old mine-workings and the across several fields separated by stiles before emerging on a track. Turn left (east) and go about 100m along the track before taking another footpath on the right, which leads first gently, then fairly steeply downhill to emerge in a dry valley (High Dale) below.

Turn left and follow High Dale down until it reaches a narrow road. Go up the road to the left and follow it until it branches at Brushfield farm - take the right fork through the farmyard and continue along the track which snakes its way up onto the top of the ridge above the River Wye. Eventually you arrive at a crossing point of several paths by some trees, giving a choice of routes.

Continuing straight on takes you along a track which emerges at Monsal Dale station, though by leaving the track at the last corner, it is possible to cut a corner and descend directly to the end of the viaduct. However, a more picturesque route is to take the right fork. This leads to the isolated farm of Brushfield Hough, in a spectacular position above lower Monsal Dale. Go around the back of the farm to reach a path which makes a steep descent into Monsal Dale, near to the A6 road. Once down in the valley, turn left and follow it upstream to return to Monsal Head.

Monsal Dale and Brushfield Circuit Photo Gallery - click on the images to enlarge- Click Here for a slide show

0 - Monsal Dale	1 - Monsal Head Viaduct	2 - Monsal Dale - river Wye	3 - Cressbrook Mill
4 - Water cum Jolly and Cressbrook millpond	5 - Water cum Jolly - Cressbrook Hall and millpond	6 - Water cum Jolly

Peak District walk around Monsal Dale, Derbyshire

This starts and ends at Monsal Head, a famous Peak District beauty spot. The route goes along Monsal Dale, over the limestone ridge through which the River Wye carves out its valley near Fin Cop, and then descends back into the valley to return to Monsal Head.

Monsal Dale and Brushfield Circuit