Monsal Head & Magpie Mine

Please note this is a Hard Walk - Not for the inexperienced and a good level of fitness is required.  Roadside footpaths. Fields. Disused railway & tunnels.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsal_Dale

https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/places-to-visit/trails/monsaltrail

https://pdmhs.co.uk/magpie-mine-peak-district/

From Litton via Tideswell Dale to the disused railway. Up to Monsal Head for the view of the viaduct (this section is via a narrow path, so be prepared to give way to anyone we may encounter). Monsal Head is a popular place; it is easily accessible by road and has a car park. We then follow a woodland path to reach the open fields that will lead us to Ashford In The Water – we will see some dew ponds on this section, and will see some more later in the walk.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dew_pond

At Ashford In The Water we cross Sheepwash Bridge and the A6 main road. The next section of our walk is uphill firstly on a track then a grassy path. We reach a quiet road with no footpath which we follow for a short distance in the direction of Sheldon, before turning off onto a track which leads to fields and Magpie Mine – we shall have a longer break here so people can explore the site.

After Magpie Mine we cross several fields before walking on a quiet road for a short distance. We turn off onto a track which leads to Deep Dale (this can be muddy in places after rain). We head down to White Lodge car park then cross the A6 main road to reach Monsal Dale.

We walk past Monsal Weir, then as we catch sight of Headstone Viaduct we follow a path on our left up to the disused railway (Monsal Trail). We cross over the bridge and walk through Headstone Tunnel (The tunnels are lit. They can be cold so please make sure you have warm clothing with you).

Across fields to Little Longstone & then to Wardlow Hay Cop. Next to Peter's Stone and then uphill to Litton.