Cressbrook Dale

Cressbrook Dale

Peak District

Route: Cressbrook Dale

Area: Derbyshire, Peak District

Date of walk: 10th August 2016

Walkers: Andrew and Gilly

Distance: 6.6 miles

Ascent: 1,000 feet

Weather: Mixed cloud and sunshine

We parked at Monsal Head, from where there are superb views over the White Peak area of the Peak District, and walked down the Longstone Road, turning left at the Packhorse Inn to climb up through the fields. Eventually we joined the road leading into Wardlow, the only unsatisfactory section of an otherwise perfect walk as the road is quite busy

It was a relief to reach Wardlow and to turn off along a path leading down into Cressbrook Dale, a valley which has been designated a National Nature Reserve, with many rare and semi-alpine plants to be found in spring and early summer

After walking along the dale we joined the Monsal Trail which runs along the former Midland Railway line and is popular with cyclists

When we reached a tunnel we left the Trail and climbed back up to Monsal Head to conclude a lovely walk which we will remember for the big skies and huge views over the surrounding countryside

Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)

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