Short walk to Cheedale and back (Monsal Trail)

Continuing, the walker will soon reach the second railway bridge that spans the river. Passing under this and continuing along the track, the woodland rises steeply on your right. Many wild birds and flowers can be seen here, including Mallard on the river itself. The sounds of the Wood Warbler can be heard, along with the chattering of members of the Tit family.

Watch out for the Tree Creeper as it walks down the branches of trees. The flora includes Sweet Woodruff, Herb Robert and Bluebell among the many species. After a while and just before the track bends to go under yet another railway bridge, ahead you will see a pathway that will take you upwards and onto the Monsal Dale Trail. It's at this point that you have a choice to make. Continue along the riverside for the outward walk and return by the Monsal Dale Trail (Old railway track). Or climb the slope and go via the trail from here on, returning via the riverside walk. Each has its own perspective regarding the scenery along this walk.

For our description, we shall take you via the riverside and return by the trail.

Monsal Dale - Bridge

Common Blue Butterfly

Passing this bridge, the track comes to an end where the walkers attention is drawn to a row of delightful cottages nestling between the hills that surround them. These were built during the 1860s by the Midland Railway Company for their workers.

This whole area is hemmed in by the railway itself on three sides forming a large triangle. One side, to the Northwest, is still used today and carries quarry traffic out of Buxton and around to Peak Forest to the north. Cross over the river by the footbridge, turn right and walk along side the river. All around you, the steep hills and cliff faces of Limestone rise up in splendour.

The scenery around here is really quite beautiful and greatly enjoyed by visitors.Follow the path, the sight and sounds of the river Wye will be your companion from here on. The Dipper can still be seen in the shallow parts of the river, whilst on the rocks and scree that spills down from the railway, you may be fortunate to spot the common Lizard. Butterflies also abound.

The common Blue, Peacock, Wall Brown and small Copper are all seen flitting from flower to flower, or sunning themselves on the bare rock. Amongst the flora there is Hedge Mustard, White Dead-nettle, Hawkweeds, Wild Roses, Water Crowfoot and Angelica. Here you will see and hear Brown and Rainbow Trout, as they take insects from the surface of the water, on their way up stream. High above the valley, Crows can be seen and heard as they call each other, sometimes squabbling for one reason or another.

The walk soon passes beneath the railway twice more, before joining a quarter of a mile stretch beside the river itself. Look out for climbers on the Limestone buttresses that rise up from the far side of the river. From here on we are entering the terrain of the many rock climbers who come from all over Britain to test their strength and experience against nature.

After a while, the path becomes closed in by the surrounding hillsides, scree banks and overhanging cliffs. When the footbridge is reached, cross over this and the path inclines upwards. Keeping to the lower path, follow it around with the river and under the railway bridge, where once again, you will have to cross over to the other bank of the river. From here onwards, the path follows a series of stepping stones. These are impassable in very wet weather when the level of the river is much higher than normal.

Please bear it in mind that the undulating path, between this point and the Wormhill springs, can be extremely muddy during wet spells, becoming very slippery in places.

Climber

Climbing Chee Tor

You have now reached Chee Tor, a high buttress of rock rising up on the opposite side of the river. This is very popular with climbers, especially at weekends. Surrounded by many beautiful trees and wild flowers, this is where you may chance to see the Kingfisher, a very small and colourful bird that fishes these waters along this dale. Although you may hear the climbers calling each other from time to time, sit a while, for this is an area of magnificent peace and tranquillity. The sunlight filters its dappled light through the overhanging trees, whilst bees flit here and there from one flower to another. The sound of water as it tumbles over stones and boulders reaches one's ears, as does the call of the many types of bird which nest in these lovely surroundings. Cheedale River

Before reaching the junction with Flag Dale, which opens out to the left of your path after a short distance, you will have to climb a short way over a low rock face that seemingly bars your way. However, there are well worn steps to help you continue your journey. In a few yards, the path dips towards the entrance to Flag Dale. Bearing to the left, follow it until you're able to cross a small stream which marks the presence of the Wormhill Springs.

Cheedale River


Cheedale River

This is the end of this walk, whereby we retrace our steps back to the stepping stones and the bridge across the river. However, for those who would prefer a longer walk, they may continue down river and head towards Miller's Dale which is about 1 mile away. There is the choice to visit Wormhill to the north in walking a little further down stream until the signposted path on your left can be taken. If you cross the bridge at this point, you can always make the steep climb ahead of you and visit the Romano-British settlement at the top of Chee Tor.

Millersdale Station - [ Pictures of Millersdale Station in the 1970s ]


Railway Bridge

After retracing our steps as far as the path where it goes under the railway bridge, continue for a few more steps until the path rises upwards and back to your left. Take this, and soon you will be able join the old railway track bed that now forms the Monsal Dale Trail. To the right, after passing through the stile in the wall, the old tunnel portal comes into view. Turn left and to the Southwest. Here we can take the alternative route back towards the trackway that leads you to the start of your walk. The views of your surroundings are quite breath taking. Apart from the short tunnel to walk through, the going here is very pleasant and easy. The wildlife is prolific and the wild flowers are especially abundant with rare and beautiful plants. Much of the woodland and riverside in this area is managed by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. If you are a specialist in any of the forms of natural history, you will not go away disappointed. The Photographer will also be well rewarded with such beautiful scenery.

Monsal Trail at Blackwell Mill

Jacob's Ladder

Continuing our walk, the path ahead divides in two. The right-hand track is the route taken by the railway towards Manchester. This can only be walked for a short distance, since it rejoins the rail link from Buxton after a few hundred metres. Continuing along our original path, it soon narrows between a rock cutting. Where the bridge crosses overhead, there are stiles left and right in the stone walls on either side of the trail. The right hand stile leads the walker downwards to the Midland Railway cottages we saw earlier. The right hand stile leads the walker upwards onto the A6 Trunk road. These offer alternate routes back to the car park. Continuing further along the trail, soon a fence bars the way ahead. To the left, a pathway takes you back down to the riverside track once more, and eventually to our starting point Another Monsal Dale Walk: www.walkingenglishman.com

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