Monsal Trail by Bike

Start, parking & getting there

The trail runs from Coombs Road just outside Bakewell to Blackwell Mill near Buxton, with pay-and-display car parks at Bakewell, Hassop and Millers Dale stations — Hassop Station is the most popular start as it has a café and cycle hire. The nearest railway stations are Buxton and Matlock, both some way from the trail, so check the operator's cycle policy (and any reservation rules) before relying on the train. Buses reach Bakewell from Sheffield, Derby, Chesterfield, Manchester and Nottingham, though most will not carry bikes.

The ride

Heading north-west from Hassop, the trail passes Great Longstone and crosses the Headstone Viaduct before entering Headstone Tunnel; beyond, Cressbrook, Litton and Chee Tor tunnels (each around 400 m) lead through the limestone dales past Water-cum-Jolly Dale and Millers Dale. The gradient is gentle but it does rise slightly towards Blackwell Mill, so the return to Bakewell is the easier direction. Most riders go out and back, turning at Blackwell Mill.

Supplies: food, water, bike shops & repairs

There are cafés and toilets at Hassop Station and Millers Dale Station, and Bakewell has plenty of shops, pubs and cafés. Cycle hire operates at Hassop Station and at Blackwell Mill at the northern end; hire outlets can often help with basic problems, but carry a spare tube, pump and tyre levers. Opening hours for cafés and hire vary by season, so check before you go.

Where to camp or stay

Bakewell and the surrounding villages have B&Bs, pubs with rooms and self-catering cottages, and YHA Ravenstor sits above Millers Dale close to the trail. There are campsites in the wider area around Bakewell and Tideswell — book ahead in summer and on bank holidays. Wild camping is not generally legal in England without the landowner's permission, and that includes the national park.

Bike, kit & safety

The surface is firm and well-graded, so a hybrid, gravel or mountain bike is ideal, and wide-tyred road bikes cope in dry weather; it is also used by walkers, horse riders and wheelchair users, so ride at a relaxed pace and use a bell. The tunnels are lit during daylight hours, but a front and rear light helps you see and be seen as your eyes adjust. The trail is exposed to Peak District weather, so pack a waterproof even on a bright day.