Monsail Trail
Try the Tunnels at Monsal Derbyshire
Close by, well a car ride away is the lovely old converted railway line now named Monsal trail.It’s a great family day out to get everyone on the bikes. At a full length of around 17 miles it’s stretches from Bakewell to Blackwell Mill, in Chee Dale.
However, it’s not just a flat boring bike trail, there is some added excitement. The best bit that the kids absolutely love is the set of old railway tunnels that you have to go through. There are six tunnels in total. A couple stretch a half a km and right in the centre it gets very fresh, cool and dark (so lights are advisable). The others are between 200 metres and 400 metres, with the two shortest situated closest end to the Blackwell Mill.
The adults of course enjoy the lovely cafe at the Hassop station Part of the trail. Hassop is an ideal place to park up and base for the day. Parking starts at £1.50 for an hour and goes up by £1 an hour until the charge is £5.50 for the day. It serves good coffee and some exceptional food for a cafe. At the side is a bike shop hiring all kinds of bikes and trailers. So, if you aren’t kitted out when you get there you can get what you need for the day to get the whole family involved.
The trail itself is an old railway line which has been resurfaced with smooth hard packed stone making it nice under the wheels and even better, appropriate for all ages. The whole trail is generally flat. There is a slight incline but you don’t notice it until you are heading back and you feel you are pedalling a little less.
The only downside is how busy it gets. Obviously with the trail being family friendly, families use it. That’s in addition to the many walkers and runners. It is a route on a lot of peoples maps as it often forms part of larger expeditions and walks. I recommend you get there just as the coffee shop opens at Hassop. The car park will be empty, you can grab a lovely breakfast and there is plenty of equipment to hire (which will be available if you are early). Then get on the trail whilst it is empty. Head towards the Blackwell Mill End and once you are off you'll be ahead of the crowds. Doing this you will notice an increase of traffic on the way back and it always blows my mind how full the car park is when back at the Hassop Station. That will be around 14 miles. Then stop or drop off the little ones if they are tired. There is a lovely little park to play on at Hassop. Alternatively head back out on the trail to the Bakewell end and back, which finishes off another 3 miles nicely. Beware that from Hassop to the Bakewell end there is a slight downhill. It’s nothing major but the kids notice it on the way back from Bakewell to Hassop, especially having already done 14 miles. Doing this totals around 17 miles which the kids absolutely love knowing. In fact it is still probably the longest ride mine have done and they still mention it.
For those still full of energy there is the option of jumping off the trail at the Bakewell end and heading into Bakewell. I've never attempted it as it looks like some road riding. Bakewell is a lovely village to have a look around, so maybe an option in the car at the end of the day.
All in all this is a great day out and I highly recommend it, as long as you are there early.
Check out our visit to the Monsal Trail
For more information on the Monsal Trail and Hassop Station check out these websites:
Have a look at all the sections of the Pig Hill loop, one of
my go to rides in the summer.
Mountain Biking The Pit Tip Kirkby
Mountain Biking Blidworth Waye
Mountain Biking Through Newstead Abbey
