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Monsal Dale - Peak District Walk
Friday 5th August 2016
I somehow managed to escape the crowds that are normally present in Monsal Dale at this time of the year and for much of the walk had no-one in view.
Start: White Lodge car park (SK 1705 7060)
Route: White Lodge car park - Monsal Dale - Upperdale - Water-cum-Jolly Dale - Miller's Dale - Litton - High Dale - Brushfield - Brushfield Hough - White Lodge car park
Distance: 6.25 miles Ascent: 359 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 44 mins
Terrain: Good paths with one steep ascent.
Weather: Warm and sunny.
Pub Visited: None Ale Drunk: None
![Monsal Dale Monsal Dale](2016-08-05/monsal.jpg)
A reasonably early start means there is no-one having a picnic or a paddle in the water.
![Monsal Dale Monsal Dale](2016-08-05/path.jpg)
Even the paths are quiet, if rather wet underfoot.
![River Wye River Wye](2016-08-05/weir.jpg)
There is plenty of water coming over the weir.
![Monsal Dale Monsal Dale](2016-08-05/viaduct.jpg)
As I approach the Monsal Trail the crowds start to appear.
![Monsal Dale Monsal Dale](2016-08-05/dale.jpg)
Looking back down Monsal Dale.
![](2016-08-05/viaduct1.jpg)
Instead of joining the crowds on the Monsal Trail I opt for a route that takes me under the viaduct.
![Upperdale Upperdale](2016-08-05/upperdale.jpg)
After passing under the viaduct the limestone cliffs on the sides of Upperdale come into view.
![Cressbrook Mill Cressbrook Mill](2016-08-05/cressbrook mill.jpg)
The route along the lane offers some nice views of Cressbrook Mill and avoids the crowds on the Monsal Trail.
![Water-cum-Jolly Water-cum-Jolly](2016-08-05/water cum.jpg)
The breeze means there are no reflections to capture at Water-cum-Jolly.
![Miller's Dale Miller's Dale](2016-08-05/millers dale.jpg)
The summer growth resticts the views of the valley and river in Miller's Dale.
![Miller's Dale Miller's Dale](2016-08-05/path 1.jpg)
Although the shade it offers is very welcome as the temperature is starting to rise.
![Miller's Dale Miller's Dale](2016-08-05/millers dale1.jpg)
I've never quite made my mind up whether or not it is nicer to walk along the cliffs above Miller's Dale or along the valley floor.
![Litton Mill Litton Mill](2016-08-05/litton mill.jpg)
A nice place to live, as long as you don't want to sit outside on a hot day,
as most of the flats don't appear to have a garden.
![](2016-08-05/fish.jpg)
It always amazes me how good the view of the fish is from the footbridge in Litton Mill.
![Longstone Moor Longstone Moor](2016-08-05/wardlow.jpg)
Climbing above Litton and the view extends across Miller's Dale to Longstone Moor.
![Rushup Edge Rushup Edge](2016-08-05/rushup.jpg)
In the opposite direction a typical dales scene.
![High Dale High Dale](2016-08-05/hall dale.jpg)
I pass on the more popular and direct track to Brushfield and instead enjoy a peaceful walk through High Dale.
![Taddington Dale Taddington Dale](2016-08-05/a6.jpg)
From up here Taddington Dale looks delightful, if only the A6 didn't run through the middle of it.
![Mosal Head Mosal Head](2016-08-05/across monsal.jpg)
Heading towards Brushfield Hough and the final view of the day extends across Monsal Dale to Monsal Head.
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