Peak Walks 18: Monsal, Ravensdale and Monk's Dale

• Map: Outdoor Leisure OL24 1:25000
• Distance: 20.5km 12.7m
• Time: allow 6 hours walking
• Ascent: 689m
• Inset: Cressbrook Dale

This is a beautiful walk encompassing two stunning limestone dales which, in the spring and early summer are dripping with cowslips and orchids.

Park: Opposite the Monsal Head Hotel, SK 184716. Parking is usually possible at the junction with road to Little Longstone, or in the long stay PAD car park behind the pub.

Walk down the hill into Monsal Dale and continue for about 1.5km to Cressbrook Mill, once a crumbling ruin, now smart accommodation. Keep right and continue up the road as it climbs steeply out of the valley. After about 600m take the small road on the right, signposted Ravensdale. The road drops down to Ravensdale cottages with the climbing crags of Ravensdale buttress high above. Continue past the cottages and follow the path across a footbridge over the occasional stream. The path now winds through woodland with options for a high or low level path, both eventually emerge in more open terrain. Keep to the valley floor then cross a new footbridge on the left which leads into Tansley Dale. Walk up the dale, the footpath eventually crosses fields into Litton village.

At the road turn left, pass a shop and The Red Lion pub and follow the minor road as it climbs the hill. The road leads to Tideswell but where it swings sharp right take the narrow ginnel on the left and where it divides go left to emerge opposite Tideswell Cathedral. Take any of the lanes on the far (west) side of the cathedral, which lead between houses to a minor road; turn right onto this. This is Manchester Road and it follows a shallow valley. Keep on this minor road for about 1km and just past an acute junction on the right and take a lane on the left, Water Lane. After about 1km the lane meets a junction with a small road, turn left then after 300m turn right in the village of Wheston which is more a collection of farms.

It is possible to reach Wheston from Tideswell. After a few 100m up Manchester road take the signposted road on the left to Wheston. This will save about 30 minutes and 2km.

After about 1km, the road drops down into Peter Dale at Dale Head. Turn left onto the Limestone Way and follow the dale. In winter, after the cows have been it can be quite muddy in places. Follow the dale for about 1.5km, the path then crosses a minor road and enters Monk's Dale. Monk's Dale is a nature reserve famous for its flowers. Follow the path into the woodland. The path is slow and sometimes slippery and it's worth allowing extra time for this 2km section down to Miller's Dale. Eventually the path leaves the ancient woodland by the river and emerges in more open grassland for a while. After a few more trees one arrives at Miller's Dale. Cross the road and walk towards The Angler's Rest pub.

There are at least three option here.

1. Follow the road to Litton Mill and carry on down Water cum Jolly though the path is sometimes flooded at the Cressbrook Mill end after wet weather. At the road, turn right and continue to the The Monsal Head Hotel.

2. Cross the river by the footbridge opposite The Angler's Rest and climb up to the Monsal Trail which has now become a popular cycleway as well as a footpath. Turn left along the trail. Follow the Trail through two illuminated tunnels, cross the Monsal Viaduct and before the third tunnel take the steep path up to the left to The Monsal Head Hotel

3. As for 2, but at the first tunnel entrance take the concessionary footpath on the left, ascend to some old mine entrances and turn left. Follow this nerrow but easy footpaths as it contours the hillsides. Eventually it joins the track from Cressbrook Mill. Turn right to join the Monsal Trail. Although the path is easy, there are steep dropoffs on the left leading to crags. Walkers with small children, the disabled and those unsteady on their feet should consider the tunnel option.

It is possible to join the Monsal Trail at both Litton Mill and Cressbrook Mill.