Walk 3018 - Cracknowl and the Monsal Trail from Bakewell

    
Click thumbnails for larger images.

This is a very gentle stroll along the Monsal Trail and over an unassuming but unexpectedly lovley hill pasture. It’s an idyllic hour or so escape from the crowds in Bakewell with some beautiful views over the town and surrounding countryside.

Park at the Monsal Trail car park at Bakewell Station on Castle Hill (grid ref. SK223689). Walk past the station buildings and turn left onto the Monsal Trail. Follow the trail for about 1 ½ miles until you near the Toll Bar House. It’s flat all the way with views opening out towards Longstone Edge once the bookshop and café at Station Farm is passed. Take a walled bridleway on the left (grid ref. SK214707), signposted to Bakewell, and climb gently onto the pasture. After a short climb it undulates for about half a mile to reach the high point at 210m (grid ref. SK 214697).

Although not explicitly named on the maps I’ve taken to calling this hilltop Cracknowl Hill, it certainly deserves a name. Shy and unobtrusive it does have a quiet charm about it and is a delightful viewpoint for the higher surrounding hills. The view south over Bakewell with it’s church spire sticking out of the trees with the mass of Stanton Moor rising impressively to the south is especially good.

Continue along the track which begins to descend, passing though an open field with many fine picnic spots, to a gate. Through the gate the track becomes metalled and there’s a steep but short drop down to the road (Holme Lane) by River Wye (grid ref. SK215690). Turn left for a short way until you can take a path on the right down by the riverbanks which is followed underneath the main road to the road bridge (grid ref. SK219687). Cross the main road onto Station Road with the car park only a short five minutes climb at the top of the road.

OS Map showing start

Ordnance Survey Map showing starting point of walk - Click Here

Suggested Maps

It is recommended you take a map with you when following a walk route. The preferred scale is 1:25000 used by the Explorer series.

	OS Explorer	1:25,000	Sheet OL24
	OS Landranger	1:50,000	Sheet 119

Note : If two maps are listed at the same scale then either (a) both are required for full coverage of the route or (b) the route is covered on both maps.

Darwin Forest Country Park, Matlock
Self Catering - 0.5 miles / 0.7 km away

Overdale Cottage, Youlgrave, Bakewell
Self Catering - 3.2 miles / 5.1 km away

3, New Houses, Cressbrook
Self Catering - 4.8 miles / 7.7 km away

Peak district holiday barn, Wardlow Mires
Self Catering - 4.9 miles / 7.9 km away

Hargate Hall, Wormhill near Buxton
Self Catering - 7.6 miles / 12.1 km away

Cotterill Farm Cottages, Hartington
Self Catering - 7.7 miles / 12.3 km away

Peak Walking Adventures, Peak District
Walking Tours - 7.9 miles / 12.7 km away

Cannon Croft, Hathersage
Bed & Breakfast - 7.9 miles / 12.7 km away

Rivendale, Alsop-en-le-Dale
Where to Stay Directory - 8.6 miles / 13.7 km away

Shatton Hall Farm Cottages, Bamford
Self Catering - 8.6 miles / 13.7 km away

Self Catering Directory
A wide range of properties throughout UK & Europe

NOTE - all distances are "as the crow flies"

'