Monsal Trail, Rail trail in Derbyshire, England
Monsal Trail is a walking and cycling route covering roughly 9 miles through the Peak District between Blackwell Mill and Bakewell. The path follows a former railway line and passes through four lit tunnels as well as over Headstone Viaduct, which spans the valley of the River Wye.
The route was built in the 1860s as part of Midland Railway to link Manchester with London. Train services ended in 1968, and over the following decades the trackbed was gradually converted into a public path.
The name Monsal comes from the valley this path crosses, linking walkers to a landscape of limestone crags and grazing fields. Former station buildings now serve as rest stops where people pause and take in views over the river valleys.
Access is possible at several former stations where parking is available and small cafes are open. The route is mostly level and runs on firm ground, making it suitable for both cyclists and walkers.
The tunnels were originally unlit and remained closed to the public for decades. Since their opening, they now allow a continuous route without detours up steep slopes to the villages above.
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