Tidbak two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

A very beautiful and mostly easy walk, apart from a steep but short climb up to Monsal Head. We took a bus from Bakewell to Tideswell and walked back. Great small cafe near the bus stop. No real route finding problems, especially through Tideswell dale and the section on the Monsal Trail

The walk has some real highlights, the climb up to Monsal Head leads to some outstanding views across the valleys and over the hills of the White Peak.

An easy walk with little to no ascent. Mixed route along River Wye, and some of the Monsal trail. Lovely varied views of dales and valleys, a viaduct and mill buildings. Some tunnel walking and yes watch out for bikes sharing the trail sections. Tideswell a beautiful village and Bakewell a bustling little market town. Trail sections very accessible but some stepped sections and stiles along the rest of the route not so.

An excellent route. Relatively easy walking, potential pub visits at Monsal Head or Great Longstone. The short section along the B6049 is paved and felt safe. Fast bike riders in the two tunnels, but the route is wide enough ' keep to the left as advised.

I walked Tideswell to Bakewell. Much of the route is very easy walking along paths with good surfaces. The climb to Monsal Head can be avoided if refreshments are not required. The approach to Bakewell could use Tidbak-1. A mix, match and slight amendment would take most of the route along the Monsal Trail a popular cycle track along the level old rail line. There are illuminated tunnels to pass through.

I thought I knew the area but I had never walked along Tideswell Dale so after following a back lane which linked to a narrow footpath I had a short section of roadside pavement before taking the surfaced popular path which follows the stream through the deep sided Dale. It's a gentle downhill so in reverse an easy climb.

Joining the quiet road to Litton Mill I initially missed the footpath off to the right, perhaps attracted by the converted mill building. This public path across the River Wye is the alternative while the bridge at Water-cum-Jolly remains closed. The footpath up to the Monsal trail is a weak link being steep and narrow.

Onto the trail and we are soon in Litton tunnel which has a bend so in the middle it's not possible to see either end, there are lights and usually lots of other folk about so there should no worries. A short open space then into Cressbrook tunnel, both have a good macadam path down the centre of the wide and high illuminated space. A pause on leaving offers a view of Cressbrook Mill and the path which had regular use before the tunnels were open up but now it only leads to the closed bridge.

Pressing on there are views into the bottom of the narrow valley which carries the River Wye. The river makes a sudden turn which forced the railway builders to construct a spectacular viaduct before the route plunges into yet another tunnel. Our route leaves the trail here to provide refreshment opportunity but an easy option is to stay on the trail and leave at the next road or transfer to Tidbak-1.

It's a good climb up to Monsal Head but the view of the viaduct and valley offers compensation. An ice cream van is often parked here plus the inn and a loo block at the car park.  Taking the roadside pavement to Little Longstone there is a further inn.

Across fields to Great Longstone then skirting the village before more fields takes us back to the trail but we stay on the road along a rather narrow pavement to take a quiet footpath which eventually rejoins Tidbak-1 to enter Bakewell. A short detour to inspect the packhorse bridge or cross it but the plotted route  offers a delightful riverside path to the town bridge where on most days you will meet the crowds.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.