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Monsal Trail – Monsal Trail Stone Arch Bridge loop from Little Longstone

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Monsal Trail – Monsal Trail Stone Arch Bridge loop from Little Longstone

Moderate

4.8

(39)

504

hikers

Monsal Trail – Monsal Trail Stone Arch Bridge loop from Little Longstone

03:22

12.6km

130m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 19, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Peak District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

408 m

Headstone Tunnel

Highlight • Trail

Stretching for 1,598 feet (487 m), Headstone Tunnel is the longest of all the tunnels on the Monsal Trail. Despite being well lit, it’s still a dark and cool place to explore. The tunnel was built in the 1860s by the Midland Railways to link Manchester with London. Headstone Tunnel was reopened in 2011, meaning the Monsal Trail could be fully linked.

Tip by

934 m

View of Monsal Viaduct and Waterfall

Highlight • Bridge

The weir is restricted access because of repairs, but you can walk by it and take photos.
When approaching the viaduct, if you want to walk across it, walk up the steep path ( half scramble at points) on the left, rather than going straight on, to reach Viaduct top.

Tip by

1.47 km

Monsal Trail

Highlight • Cycleway

The Monsal Trail is an 8.5 mile (14 km) long bridleway route that takes in some beautiful places, such as Headstone Viaduct, and has superb scenic views throughout. It stretches from Chee Dale to Bakewell. The route follows the old Manchester to London Midland Railway line. It can be used by walkers, runners, cyclists, horse riders, and wheelchair users too.

Tip by

5.57 km

Monsal Trail Stone Arch Bridge

Highlight • Cycleway

The Monsal Trail is a traffic-free trail for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users. A former railway line, the trail runs for 8.5 miles (13.7 km) between Blackwell Mill in Chee Dale, and Coombs Road in Bakewell. The compacted gravel trail – which is relatively easygoing and is perfect for all ages and abilities – winds through some of the Peak District's most picturesque limestone dales and heads through characterful tunnels.

The trail follows a section of the former Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway, which was built in 1863 to link Manchester with London. The line was closed in 1968 and remained unused for 12 years before being taken over by the Peak District National Park.

Tip by

6.23 km

Bakewell Bridge

Highlight • Monument

Bakewell Bridge is a beautiful structure that crosses the River Wye. The Grade I-listed five-arched bridge was constructed in the 13th century. Close to the bridge is prime duck-feeding territory. The nearby meadows and parks are lovely places to relax.

In early July every year, as part of the town’s carnival celebrations, people flock to the bridge to watch contestants in the raft race; whereby people sail down the Wye in makeshift rafts. Invariably, the event involves much sinking and swimming.

Tip by

10.9 km

Great Longstone for Ashford Railway Station

Highlight • Cycleway

Great Longstone for Ashford railway station was a station which served Great and Little Longstone in the Peak District of Derbyshire. It was opened in 1863 by the Midland Railway on its extension of the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway from Rowsley.

It closed in 1962, except that one train a day in each direction continued to stop to allow a local resident, Mrs A Boardman, to travel to work, an episode immortalised by the British Movietone film It Only Stops For Her..[4] Trains continued to pass through the station until 1968 when the line was closed.

The trackbed through the station is part of the 8.5-mile (13.7 km) Monsal Trail, a walk and cycleway. Access to the Monsal Trail can be made at Great Longstone for Ashford railway station, via the ramp off Longstone Lane.

Tip by

12.5 km

Wooden Bridge Over River in Peak District National Park

Highlight • River

Such a pleasant walk great for beginners

Tip by

12.5 km

View of Monsal Head and the Headstone Viaduct

Highlight • Viewpoint

Monsal Head is one of the most photographed viewpoints in Derbyshire – and for good reason! Overlooking the impressive Headstone Viaduct crossing the picturesque Monsal Dale, it truly is a wonder to behold. You can stop for food and drink at the Monsal Head Hotel and there is usually an ice cream van parked here.

Tip by

12.6 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.75 km

1.52 km

1.06 km

148 m

123 m

Surfaces

10.1 km

1.27 km

1.09 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Wednesday 6 May

13°C

2°C

11 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Monsal Trail – Monsal Trail Stone Arch Bridge loop from Little Longstone

Headstone Tunnel

View of Monsal Viaduct and Waterfall

Monsal Trail

Monsal Trail Stone Arch Bridge

Bakewell Bridge

Great Longstone for Ashford Railway Station

Wooden Bridge Over River in Peak District National Park

View of Monsal Head and the Headstone Viaduct

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