Monsal Trail - Cycle Path

July 2010

The specatular Monsal Trail follows the route of the former Midlands Railway from Bakewell alongside the River Wye.  Unfortunately it is not continuous like the local Tissington and High Peak trails because the tunnelled sections of the line have been closed for safety reasons.  The path has to detour along the river which precludes its use as a cycle trail for its whole length.  Furthermore some of the stepping stones, whilst picturesque, are often underwater during flood flows.

The Peak District National Park Authority has commissioned Donaldson Associates to carry out a condition survey of the six tunnelled sections (varying in length from 87 to 489m), specify remedial works, prepare tender documentation and supervise the civil works required to make the tunnels safe for public use as a cycle trail thus opening a significant length of the trail to cyclists.