The newly opened tunnels on the Monsal Trail were the main reason for heading up into the Peak District in May 2011. After parking at Monsal Head we walked down the lane towards Little Longstone Congregational Chapel ...
and the village itself ...
Just beyond the Packhorse we took the path across the fields towards the Monsal Trail ...
The signs on the Trail had been upgraded.
We turned right along the Trail and headed towards the first tunnel ...
... passing under a bridge linking the fields on either side of the cutting ...
The cutting was soon below ground level ...
... and we were walking into Headstone Tunnel ...
After a few hundred yards we came out into the bright daylight below the Monsal Head ...
This is an area that has its admirers ...
We followed the Trail north-westwards ...
Away to our right there was an excellent view of Cressbrook Mill ...
We entered Cressbrook Tunnel ...
On leaving Cressbrook Tunnel we caught a glimpse of the River Wye below ...
We entered our third tunnel of the day, Litton Tunnel ...
Before many minutes had passed we came out into the daylight above Litton Mill ...
We left the Trail and descended the path towards Litton Mill ...
The butterbur was looking very healthy ...
I noticed a floating apostrophe on a blue sign that perhaps I ought to bring to the attention of the Apostrophe Protection Society ...
Beyond Litton Mill we followed the path beside the River Wye ...
Just beyond the Packhorse we took the path across the fields towards the Monsal Trail ...
The signs on the Trail had been upgraded.
We turned right along the Trail and headed towards the first tunnel ...
... passing under a bridge linking the fields on either side of the cutting ...
The cutting was soon below ground level ...
... and we were walking into Headstone Tunnel ...
After a few hundred yards we came out into the bright daylight below the Monsal Head ...
This is an area that has its admirers ...
We followed the Trail north-westwards ...
Away to our right there was an excellent view of Cressbrook Mill ...
We entered Cressbrook Tunnel ...
On leaving Cressbrook Tunnel we caught a glimpse of the River Wye below ...
We entered our third tunnel of the day, Litton Tunnel ...
Before many minutes had passed we came out into the daylight above Litton Mill ...
We left the Trail and descended the path towards Litton Mill ...
The butterbur was looking very healthy ...
I noticed a floating apostrophe on a blue sign that perhaps I ought to bring to the attention of the Apostrophe Protection Society ...
Beyond Litton Mill we followed the path beside the River Wye ...
We were soon back on the Monsal Trail, passing over the River Wye a long way below ...
We followed the path rising from the Trail to Monsal Head itself ...
As the path rose out of the valley there's a good view of the viaduct below ...
The whole area was a very healthy green ...
For the last few yards of the walk the footpath passed through sweet cicely on both sides of the right of way ...
This walk was followed on the 15th May 2011
Length of walk ~ 5.95 miles *
Total mileage walked so far in 2011 ~ 185.95 miles
Total mileage between the 1st September 2009 and the 15th May 2011 ~ 707.69 miles
41 of 2011 [which means in 2011 I was averaging just over 4.5 miles a walk.]
* distance calculated on Ordnance Survey's Getamap
I don't recall this walk,, but you have done so many. This one was looking very long and very interesting. With all those tunnels...
ReplyDeleteIt was quite an interesting walk Barbara. Glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteThis looks like it was quite the hike, Charlie. Once again you put us right there ...
ReplyDeleteIt was probably a bit longer than normal Pet ...
DeleteA very enjoyable walk Charlie, with some good variety of terrain, particularly in the final section. I know you've told us before, but I've forgotten, were the tunnels originally for a railway line?
ReplyDeleteYes, the tunnels were originally on the route of the Derby/Manchester line Mitch.
DeleteI am so glad you aren't vetting my e-mails as I just sent off "student's that should have been students' " and it was too late to retreive and change. It also seems inane to send a longer note to apologize. I just came back from a Quaker style meeting that went on for 6 hours with an hour for dinner. I am getting used to the long silences. They are helpful in themselves, without even asking for Clearness Committee help. I try to emulate your style of blogging but that will come to an end as we have stopped travelling.and I won't have any new walks or sites to show Blogger folk. Sigh. Old Man Watching has had enough of travelling.
ReplyDeleteI will look forward to reading more of your blogs when you have something to report ! Yes, I used to enjoy the long silences at Quaker meetings though it obviously wasn't enough for me as I didn't stay with them.
DeleteAnother enjoyable walk Charlie,we really must try and make time for it when we come up to Derbyshire.I think walking through the tunnels would be quite an experience,I would probably look over my shoulder to see if a steam train was coming.Ann
ReplyDeleteIt's well worth exploring this area Ann though it is perhaps slightly more taxing than other areas nearby.
DeleteAnother enjoyable walk Charlie,we really must try and make time for it when we come up to Derbyshire.I think walking through the tunnels would be quite an experience,I would probably look over my shoulder to see if a steam train was coming.Ann
ReplyDeleteI can recommend walking through two or three of the tunnels. I hope you make it when you next get up to Derbyshire.
DeleteI enjoyed reading about this walk Charlie! I'm just back from a(rather wet) few days near Ashbourne - among other things revisiting Dovedale, one of my favourite outings as a child!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed this Alison. Despite the weather I hope you enjoyed those few days near Ashbourne ... and walking through Dovedale.
DeleteWe had a great time, thanks, Charlie!
DeleteGlad to hear that Alison ...
Delete