Headstone Tunnel – Monsal Trail Stone Arch Bridge loop from Tideswell

Headstone Tunnel – Monsal Trail Stone Arch Bridge loop from Tideswell

Hard

5.0

(4)

riders

Headstone Tunnel – Monsal Trail Stone Arch Bridge loop from Tideswell

05:04

84.1km

1,110m

Gravel riding

Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 16, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 6.44 km for 177 m

After 13.2 km for 82 m

After 26.2 km for 57 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

6.60 km

Viewpoint

7.20 km

Headstone Tunnel

Highlight • Structure

One of the many tunnels that have been reopened for walkers and cyclists on the Monsal Trail. Runs under the beauty spot of Monsal Head (cafe, pub and viewpoint on top of the hill).

Tip by

8.12 km

The Monsal Trail is a traffic-free route that runs for 8.5 miles (13.7 km) between Blackwell Mill and Bakewell. The compacted gravel trail winds through picturesque limestone dales and long tunnels. A particular highlight is the Headstone Tunnel leading to Headstone Viaduct, where breathtaking views await.

The trail follows a section of the former Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway, which was built in 1863 to link Manchester with London. The line was closed in 1968 and remained unused for 12 years before being taken over by the Peak District National Park and transformed into a recreational route.

Tip by

11.4 km

Monsal Trail Gravel Path

Highlight • Trail

Just delightful GRVL along the Monsal Trail - with a few little stunt humps along the way!

Tip by

11.8 km

Monsal Trail Stone Arch Bridge

Highlight • Cycleway

The Monsal Trail is a traffic-free trail for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users. A former railway line, the trail runs for 8.5 miles (13.7 km) between Blackwell Mill in Chee Dale, and Coombs Road in Bakewell. The compacted gravel trail – which is relatively easygoing and is perfect for all ages and abilities – winds through some of the Peak District's most picturesque limestone dales and heads through characterful tunnels.

The trail follows a section of the former Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway, which was built in 1863 to link Manchester with London. The line was closed in 1968 and remained unused for 12 years before being taken over by the Peak District National Park.

Tip by

13.6 km

Buck Pingle Plantation

Forest

35.4 km

Ruins

36.2 km

Middleton Top Engine House and railway wagon

Highlight • Historical Site

Notorious for its steep gradient, Middleton Top is a super climb with majestic views at the top. Plus, there's bike hire and a small cafe here. It has also been part of the Eroica Britannia route for the past few years – imagine that gradient with barely functioning, pre-1979 gearing. At the top of the incline there's the Middleton Top Engine House, as the track used to be the High Peak steam railway.

Tip by

37.5 km

High Peak Trail

Highlight • Cycleway

Great route for traffic-free cycling, the High Peak trail is a gravel track which follows the course of an old railway. This railway was owned by a canal company, so was built in an odd manner with long flat portions joined by steep sections (like canal locks) where the trains were often hauled uphill by stationary engines.

This means that most of the route is nice and flat but with inclines that will often mean pushing uphill. These include Cromford High Peak junction westwards (1:9 for about a mile), Middleton Top (1:8 with a surface including drainage channels across the track, so beware when descending especially as there are very steep drop-offs to the side), and Hopton (1:14 for about 500 yards or 457 metres).

You can get a good speed up downhill but be careful as surface is very loose.

Tip by

51.0 km

Tissington Trail

Highlight • Cycleway

The Tissington Trail is a 13-mile (21 km) traffic-free trail that links Ashbourne to Parsley Hay via the spectacular White Peak countryside. The compacted gravel trail is relatively smooth and flat (save for a relatively steep incline at Mappleton), making it a great ride for all ages and abilities. The Tissington Trail is part of a network of former railway lines in this area that are now recreational routes, meaning the exploration options are plentiful.

The trail follows the former Buxton to Ashbourne railway line, which opened in 1899 and closed in 1967. After its closure, the route was transformed into a trail and opened to the public in 1971.

Tip by

65.5 km

Parsley Hay Visitor Centre and Bike Hire

Highlight • Cycleway

Great snack bar and bike hire centre. Makes for a good target to aim for when riding on the Tissington or High Peak Trails.

The snack bar doesn't have inside facilities so you'll have to use the picnic tables outside. These can be cold in winter as you're about 1,100 feet (335 m) up. There's some cover from the rain. and toilets facilities.

The bike hire centre offers various kinds of bikes including ones modified for disabled users and electric bikes.

Tip by

77.3 km

Pond (Artificial)

Lake

84.1 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types