TOG Foundation

Monsal Trail accessible walk, Peak District

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Walk Details

The Monsal Trail is a traffic-free route through the spectacular limestone scenery of the old Midland Railway line, and is ideal for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users. The full trail is 8.5 miles long but we’ve picked out a short stretch between Hassop and Headstone Viaduct.

The disused railway station at Hassop was reopened in 2011 as a café, book and gift shop and cycle hire. It’s totally wheelchair accessible, making it a great place to start and end a walk along the Monsal Trail.

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The Monsal Trail is a popular walk for locals as well as tourists, and a great family venue offering something for everyone. Along the route there are listening stations where you can hear podcasts about the Trail.

This route passes through the Headstone Tunnel, which is 487m long and lit up during the day. It’s an amazing example of Victorian engineering and a great place for testing out your echoes! At the end of the tunnel is the Headstone Viaduct, offering a viewpoint of spectacular scenery.
The trail continues on towards Tideswell and Wyedale, but for our walk the viaduct marks the turning point and we return back along the 2-mile trail back to Hassop Station for the perfect cup of tea.

Access TOG verdict:
I used the DaVinci Power Wheel for this walk, a motorised wheel that attaches to the front of my manual wheelchair, making it into battery-powered wheels. This chair is perfect for this terrain and you would easily be able to do the whole 8.5-mile Monsal Trail and back again using the DaVinci, as the battery life is very good (at least 25 miles of charge available on a full battery).

The Trail is ideal for any type of wheelchair as it’s flat, wide and has a good surface for all wheels.

trainNearest Train (or tube) Station(s):
Grindleford, Sheffield

Local Information

Read the Countryside Code before venturing out
Make sure to take a map and compass, and know how to use them before going into our National Parks #BeAdventureSmart

Tips for New Walkers: click here to download (PDF).

Remember to prepare properly before heading out on any type of walk or outdoor activity. Tell people where you are going and what time you are expected back. As Wainwright says "There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing".