3 great walks near the Peak District village of Tideswell

Monsal Trail from Tideswell Dale

From Tideswell car park begin this route following ‘Step 1’ instructions, in our main walk.

This time you’ll turn right at the road. Walk for about 500 metres until you reach a fingerpost sign with a wooden bridge across the River Wye. Walk over the bridge then uphill via the numerous steps until you come out on the Monsal Trail.

Turn left, following the signpost for Bakewell. Walk along the trail, past the Litton Mill Railway Cutting, part of the Wye Valley SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) then under a stone bridge.

Now that you’ve gained some height, you’ll be able to see some incredible views of the dales below, including the old Cressbrook Mill which you’ll walk past towards the end of your walk.

The first tunnel is Litton Tunnel, guided by the overhead lights (turned on until dusk each day), then after a short daylight section you’re back into the second one, Cressbrook Tunnel.

Looking down on Cressbrook Mill Photo: Getty Shortly after you’ve exited this tunnel turn left through a gate following the signpost for Cressbrook. Walk along then take the right-hand narrow path as it descends gradually.

As you go past the sign for Cressbrook Mill then there’s a final steep section to bring you out at the newly built bridge over the river. Once over the bridge turn right then immediately left over a small wooden bridge which is the start of Water-cum-Jolly Dale.

Follow this path alongside the River Wye, past Cramside Wood before going through a gate. This takes you over a bridge next to Cressbrook Mill. Turn left past the houses and continue on the road until you reach the signpost for Tideswell Dale where you turn right and head back on the same path to the car park.

Monk’s Dale from Miller Dale

Begin this 4.5-mile walk from the car park and turn left onto the Monsal Trail. Follow the path for a short distance and turn left on the footpath that winds steeply down to a bridge across the River Wye.

Cross the road then turn right uphill on the road that forks off to your left. After 100 metres, go through the gate to a footpath which continues uphill. Follow until another footpath on your left leading down to Monk’s Dale.

This section can be muddy in places. Head down to the stepping stones, go across and turn right into Monk’s Dale. Go over the wooden bridge and continue making your way through Monk’s Dale (you’ll notice the path disappears in places but keep heading straight through).

At the drystone wall go through the stone gap exploring deeper into Monk’s Dale. The path is rocky and uneven in places, as well as numerous tree roots sticking out so take your time as you explore.

Miller Dale Photo: Gary Wallis At the end of the dale walk through a field to the road. Turn right, heading uphill on a short steep section (part of the Limestone Way trail). After 700 metres, at the crossroads, turn right signposted the Limestone Way.

Keep on this track for 2km, past open fields, turn right at the path junction about halfway, then shortly after begin descending past woodlands before rejoining the path at the beginning of Monk’s Dale.

Go through the gate to the road and turn right. Continue next to the road, past a church and under the viaduct.

Follow the road back to the car park but on your right, you’ll see a footpath sign with steps leading back up to the Monsal Trail. Turn right at the top of the steps and you’re back at Millers Dale station.

Chee Dale from Miller Dale

Leave the car park and turn right, joining the Monsal Trail, an old, dismantled railway line. This four-mile walk continues past the impressive East Buxton Lime Kiln, which was in use until 1944.

Before you reach the bridge turn right on the footpath heading downhill to the River Wye. Turn right and walk alongside the river, go straight on at the path junction on the wooden boardwalk next to the river.

This route is extremely muddy in places, luckily this wooden section ensures you start the walk free from mud!

Keep walking on the footpath as it winds through the wonderful Chee Dale valley. You’ll follow it as it bears right from the river, over a small wooden bridge and then back towards it.

The Monsal Trail Photo: Getty The path is undulating in places so don’t expect to be alongside the river the entire walk, the section to reach the first set of stepping stones is particularly rocky and the limestone can be slippery when wet so take your time.

The path then drops back to the river level where you’ll reach the first set of stepping stones. Be sure to check the weather to ensure the river level isn’t too high (they can be impassable in winter months and after heavy rainfall.)

Once you’ve crossed the first set keep walking and shortly after you’ll reach the second set of stepping stones. Then, continue walking along the path for about 1.5km alongside the River Wye until you reach a footbridge. Go across and it’ll bring you out at a small cycle hire shop. Bear left and you’ll rejoin the Monsal Trail path.

You’ll follow this trail, via one of the tunnels and back out on the bridge where you turned off. Keep walking back to the old station at the Miller Dale car park.