The Monsal Trail from Bakewell

Bakewell’s former railway station, closed to passengers in 1967 and to the line entirely the following year, now marks the southern end of the Monsal Trail, the Midland Railway route the Peak District National Park Authority bought in 1971 and converted to a shared path for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The old platform and station building survive, in private use but recognisable, with level access onto the trail and a car park where the sidings used to be.

The trail runs northwest along the old trackbed, flat enough that its steepest sections are quoted in railway terms, a gradient of 1 in 100. The walking is easy in every sense: a firm surface, no stiles, no navigation required beyond staying on the path. Hassop, the next former station along the line, is a well-used turning point roughly four miles out, making an eight-mile round trip for anyone who wants a full morning or afternoon, though there is no obligation to go that far. The trail continues well beyond Hassop toward Monsal Head and eventually Buxton for those who want to keep going, with bike hire available at several points along the way.

This is the walk to choose over the Peak District’s harder routes on a day with young children, tired legs or a pushchair to manage: level, sociable, and rarely quiet on a fine weekend. Its one drawback is exactly that popularity. Expect cyclists, families and dog walkers sharing a fairly narrow path. It does not suit anyone looking for solitude on a fine weekend, or anyone who wants height and a view earned. For quiet on the same limestone, Lathkill Dale starts nine kilometres south and sees a fraction of the traffic.