03-Nov-2024
We like Derbyshire's rail trails. The surfaces are good, which makes a nice change from battling mud on the field paths. And they're always scenic and interesting.
To date we've done a bit of the Tissington, and a bit of the High Peak. Today we had a crack at the Monsal trail. From 1863 to 1968, this was part of the Midland Railway line from Manchester to London. It became a recreational route in 1981.
We started at the old Hassop station, and walked far enough to tick off a viaduct, three tunnels, and a ton of specatactular scenery. It's very quiet if you start early on a Sunday (not too early, though, because the parking-ticket machine doesn't get up until 0800, so if you're there before that, you'll have to eat your breakfast in the car while you wait for it to get its act together). By the time we were retracing our steps, there were hordes of people walking, running, and cycling along the track. No sweat, though. There's plenty of room for everyone.
The rest is best told in pictures, I think (and there's a sketch map of the whole trail here):
Hassop station, as it looks now
A succession of handsome bridges
And then you're steaming into Great Longstone station
Looking back
Approaching Headstone tunnel
Looking back, you realize what a feat this was
Now you're on Monsal Dale viaduct, with fabulous views of the valleys around. The muted light makes all the photos look like watercolours
Cressbrook Mill
And tunnel No. 2: Cressbrook tunnel
Constant cool views
Tunnel No. 3: Litton tunnel. The second and third tunnels on our route are actually shorter than the first. But because they bend, there are places where you can't see either entrance
A cracking walk, then, which you can round off nicely with lunch at the Hassop Station cafe, which is obviously geared up for ministering efficiently to the weekend crowds.
Looking forward to doing another stretch soon.