Monsal Head Walk and Route Map

A short walk that gives you the best of Monsal Dale without a long outing. It begins at a popular viewpoint, where the valley opens out below and Headstone Viaduct crosses the dale.

The route passes the viaduct and the old Midland Railway line, now the Monsal Trail, then drops to the River Wye and runs through woodland at New Plantation and Fin Wood. A steady climb brings you back up to Monsal Head.

The Monsal Head Hotel and a café are close to the start and finish, so refreshments are easy to fit in.

A medium-length walk that spends more time down in the valley. It starts at the Monsal Head viewpoint, with the viaduct and the green sweep of the dale below, before heading out towards Castlegate Lane, Brushfield Lane and the line of the old railway that is now the Monsal Trail.

You then descend to the River Wye and follow the valley through New Plantation and Fin Wood, where the woods and water make for quiet, shaded walking.

There are two steady climbs, one early on and one on the way back up to Monsal Head, where you finish close to Headstone Tunnel and the village refreshments.

The longest of the Monsal Head walks, and one to take at an easy pace over a morning or afternoon. After the viewpoint and the viaduct, the route follows the Monsal Trail through Cressbrook Tunnel, with Water-cum-Jolly Dale and the village of Cressbrook close by. Nearer Litton Mill, the Priestcliffe Lees Nature Reserve, a steep limestone hillside known for its wild flowers, lies right beside the route.

There are several climbs, including one steep pull up above the Wye. Later the walk returns via Brushfield, then drops to the River Wye and the woods at New Plantation and Fin Wood, before a steady climb back to Monsal Head.

The hotel and café at the start make a welcome finish.