The Monsal Trail Cycle Route Overall Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Monsal Trail, a traffic-free cycle route, is an idyllic destination for family outings, particularly when cycling with kids! This 9-mile scenic trail follows the course of the historic Midland Railway, offering breathtaking views and a serene cycling experience. With four tunnels along the route, each roughly 400 meters in length, the Monsal Trail is perfect for a day of cycling. However, be sure to bring lights for your bike if you plan on riding through the tunnels after dark, as the lights are only on during daylight hours.

The Monsal Trail is not only a haven for cyclists, but is also popular with horse riders. When approaching horses from behind, remember to slow down and either talk or sing to let them know where you are. Horses have limited visibility to the rear, so it’s important to avoid startling them.

The Monsal Trail can get quite busy, especially on sunny weekends during the summer months. To avoid crowds, try visiting early in the day.

Photos are byCiderlad and from Geograph.org.uk.

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Weather forecast for the Monsal Trail

Plan your trip to cycle the Monsal Trail by using this up-to-date weather forecast.

What the Monsal Trail looks like

Monsal_geograph-1332389-by-Kenneth-Yarham

Monsal_geograph-7317723-by-Adrian-Taylor

Monsal_geograph-5834737-by-Gareth-James

Monsal_geograph-4798137-by-N-Chadwick

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Time-lapse video of the cycle route

Here’s a nice time-lapse video of the whole route:

Getting to the Monsal Trail cycle route

Sadly, there is no direct trail link, nor a very simple cycle route from the nearest train station, in Buxton. However, Buxton is directly accessible by train from Manchester.This route uses quiet lanes to get you to the start. Just be aware that the very end of the route to get to the trail there is a gravelly zig-zag section.

Monsal Trail – where to park

If you’re driving to the Monsal Trail, there are a number of car parks in Bakewell, and a small car park at Bakewell Station. More car parks are available at Hassop Station, and a small one at Monsal Head. Just know there’s a steep hike down to the Monsal Trail from Monsal Head. There’s a car park at Miller’s Dale, right next to the Monsal Trail. Importantly, all of these are pay and display car parks, and in the high season fill up very quickly, so do try to get there early.

More Routes

To find more routes, click this link.

Interactive map for the Monsal Trail

You can download the GPX file from the map below, simply by clicking the GPX button. Hovering over the elevation profile will show the elevation for that point along the route, in both metres and feet. It will also show the gradient.

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7 thoughts on “Monsal Trail Traffic-free Cycle Route”

1. The Tissington Trail & (Cromford &)High Peak trails date from 1971, and were the work of Richard Hutchings (County Solicitor, & an architect of National Parks Act – who in 1986 published a 5000 mile gazetteer of quiet wind & hill assisted cycle routes, providing the early inspiration for Sustrans)
   Paths are generally a drybound macadam (not gravel) blinded with fine dust – in this area generally limestone although some limestones are better for binding (cementatious). Vehicles (motor) with wide tyres that have sipes should NOT be driven on these pavements, especially when wet
   Hulleys of Baslow run the local bus services and had joined the increasing number of rural bus operators who have returned to carrying cycles on the bus (this was standard for Scotland in 1980’s before SMT was sold-off). Trent Barton Red Arrow were also carrying bikes on their express coaches Derby-Chesterfield

   Reply

   • Thanks very much for that updated information.

     Reply

2. I would not recommend this for young riders, but more confident riders can extend the day to Rowsley or Matlock mostly off road with a minor road section. When you descend the Monsal Trail at the Bakewell end, instead of heading into the town you turn left along a decent farm track that gradually climbs up to and through Coombs farm, bare left at a bridleway junction through the woods and then a steep descent to Rowsley. (You have to climb this on the way back). There are about 3 or four farm gates as I recall. Across the A6 is the Peak railway and an old mill with a cafe. Also a pub. You can also pick up the White Peak Loop signs here to take you to Matlock which has a short road section. There are a few narrow A frame’s on this section. It would add two more miles to Rowsley and a further four more to Matlock.

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   • Thanks, Kevin. That adds quite a lot of flexibility for more confident riders.

     Reply

3. Neither end is easily accessible with families. Quite steep.
   Parking along Moores Lane at the Bakewell end although it’s level into Bakewell.
   Worth doing.

   Reply

   • Hi Rob,
     Many thanks for the update!
     Will

     Reply

4. You can get a bus from Buxton along the A6 to near the Wyedale car park, and from there it’s a short walk along a track by the river to Blackwell Mill Cycle Hire. There aren’t a huge number of buses though, so we got a taxi from the car park back into Buxton on the return trip, rather than waiting for the next bus.

   It’s a great route, though was very busy when we visited during the school holidays.

   Reply

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