German Hill and Mountain Hikes

DERBYSHIRE PEAKS and DALES

13th October 2008: Monsal Dale. Web page by Bryan Benn and Sunnydale

Start/Finish: Monsal Head, circa 235m

Monsal Head at Finish, circa 235m

Distance: circa 8 kms

Weather: Low cloud, partially clearing

Vertical altitude gain: circa 150 m

Time: 4 hrs 30 mins

I had walked my first Derbyshire Dale 10 days before, but with such outstanding scenery on offer, I couldn't wait to try another! My companion 'Sunnydale' had suggested Monsal Dale, starting from Monsal Head.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008

I'd started the day from the warm and friendly Everton B&B , situated on the A6 in Bakewell. It was just a five minute walk to the lovely River Wye, which runs through the town and would later be the focal point of Monsal Dale. Even the cloudy skies couldn't stop me looking forward to the day ahead!

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 continued Bridge over River Wye in Monsal Dale

I consider Sunnydale to be a 'local expert', as she knows the Dales so well......and she's also someone who loves to take photos of scenes that catch her eye! Like this rich montage of part flooded flora and fauna, which we passed when entering the dale.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Bridge over River Wye in Monsal Dale

The path soon reached the fast flowing River Wye and from the bridge, we had a good view of the large weir; a rushing mass of water that we would get closer to later in the day.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Tree by River Wye

Sunnydale chose a route that hugged the river bank, away from the main path. We soon came to 'Fairy Tree', a quiet and special place that she loves. The simple act of being there, absorbing the energy of the surroundings, gave me the most profound lifetime experience.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Monsal Dale path

At times we left the river bank and followed the main path, as it gently wound it's way through some beautifully coloured trees - like these photographed by Sunnydale.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Cattle being watched on Monsal Dale path

Not to every one's liking, but cattle now graze the river banks in Monsal Dale, giving Sunnydale someone else to make friends with!

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Sun glinting on River Wye in Monsal dale

And then the low cloud cleared and the sun shone for a while, shimmering through the woodland canopy and glinting on the fast flowing water.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 continued Monsal Dale path

The sparkling sunlit river was bubbling along noisily beside us, as we enjoyed this most wonderful Derbyshire Dale. All was as it should be.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Monsal Dale path next to the River Wye

The river side path, with it's lovely mixture of green hues and crispy leaves underfoot.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 River Wye in Monsal Dale

The River Wye, with it's various moods as it flowed over the rocks on the river bed.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Style and trees in Autumn sun in Monsal Dale

As we reached the end of the Dale, we left the river - but there were still wonderful sights to see as the low Autumn sun glinted on puddles of water. This shot by Sunnydale captured the moment perfectly.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Stone style through wall at the end of Monsal Dale

The Dale ends at the A6, where the path passes through a stone wall with a well worn "style", made from local stone.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Sign at entrance of Deep Dale Nature Reserve

Path near entrance of Deep Dale Nature Reserve

We crossed the A6 road, and immediately entered the Deep Dale Nature Reserve. It was just for a brief look today though, as Sunnydale wanted to plan a route here for sometime in the future.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 View inside Deep Dale Nature Reserve

A little taster of what was to come on that future walk! We climbed steeply to find a suitable spot for lunch near the bottom of Deep Dale, before heading back to retrace our steps through Monsal Dale.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008

The path out of Deep Dale running with water and our return path into Monsal Dale.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 River Wye in Monsal Dale

Back alongside the River Wye again, it's noise providing a constant background to the pretty birdsong along the way.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Start of Autumn by River Wye in Monsal Dale

The coming Autumn was clearly visible, as we stopped for a short chocolate break on our return route through the Dale.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Autumn starts in Monsal Dale

Lovely colours in the "tunnel" of trees overhanging the path and a wonderful display of fungi nestling in the base of a tree - both photographed by Sunnydale.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Fairy Tree in Monsal Dale

My companion by her special 'Fairy Tree' and another gnarled and twisted specimen that caught my attention.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Monsal Dale Weir

Soon we were back at the large weir in Monsal Dale - but I fancied a closer look!

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Monsal Dale Weir

It was now clear to see the volume of water flowing down the River Wye and the force with which it was falling over the weir!

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 View into Upper Dale

After climbing steeply out of the Dale, the view from Monsal Head was stunning as 'Upperdale' lay below us, bathed in sunshine.

Monsal Dale continued

Monsal Dale Walk, 13th Oct 2008 Monsal Dale from Monsal Head

Looking down on Monsal Dale and the impressive Monsal Head Viaduct, which we had walked under just a short time before. A lovely end to another thoroughly enjoyable Dales walk!

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