Deep Dale, Monsal Dale and a Tunnel

An excellent walk starting at the charming village of Ashford in the Water, taking in some typical  Peak District countryside, and proceeding through two scenic White Peak Dales.  There are also some great views, especially the iconic vista down the Wye  Valley and the Monsal Trail from Monsal Head. 

From Ashford in the Water car park we walk past the village church and across the River Wye before crossing the busy A6 road and climbing steeply through fields.  There are great views down to the river and across the valley.  We emerge at the top of the hill in the small village of Sheldon, once a busy centre for Lead Mining, now a cluster of characterful stone cottages in the stunning White Peak limestone countryside. 

We proceed through fields, crossing several wall stiles and emerge at the very top of Deep Dale, now a Nature Reserve.  We walk the whole length of Deep Dale, then crossing the busy A6 road before once again emerging in the picturesque Wye Valley at the start of Monsal Dale.  We walk along the Dale, crossing the river on a footbridge and climbing steadily up to Monsal Head from where we enjoy the wonderful view and maybe an ice cream too. 

We then descend onto the Monsal Trail near the The Headstone Viaduct, a well known and prominent landmark which once carried a railway and now carries the Trail over the River Wye.  We walk south east along the Trail through the Headstone Tunnel before turning off onto a footpath and through fields back to Ashford in the Water and our starting point.