Personal Walking Guides - Exclusive Walks

Centered on the popular tourist town of Bakewell, home to the world-famous pudding, this circular walk follows the old route of the Monsal Trail through the village of Little Longstone to a lunch stop at the viewpoint at Monsal Head. From there, it drops down into Monsal Dale to follow the river to White Lodge and Deep Dale. It then heads cross-country to the pretty village of Ashford-in-the-Water and its famous Sheepwash Bridge before returning to the starting point in Bakewell.

Starting from the centre of Bakewell, this walk heads out of town and across rolling countryside to the Chatsworth estate village of Edensor. It then follows the course of the River Derwent through Chatsworth Park and past the magnificent Chatsworth House, heading for the village of Rowsley. From there, it climbs the hills behind the wonderfully well-preserved medieval buildings of Haddon Hall before following the River Wye for the return to Bakewell.

With a total ascent of over 1,500ft, this is a slightly more challenging walk for the more serious walker. It begins in the village of Rowsley, before ascending to the high plateau of Stanton Moor and the mysterious Nine Ladies stone circle. Having passed through the village of Birchover, it makes its way past the rock outcrop of Robin Hood's Stride on the way to the villages of Youlgreave and Alport. It then crosses the estate of Haddon Hall and the flood plain of the River Wye before returning to the start point in Rowsley.

This is another slightly more challenging walk, with a total of 1,800 feet of ascent. Starting next to the River Derwent in the historic mill village of Cromford, it passes through Bonsall, home to the World Hen Racing Championships, on the way to a lunch stop at the Druid Inn at Birchover. It then heads out across Stanton Moor, past the mysterious Nine Ladies stone circle, and across the River Lathkill before joining the River Wye close to Haddon Hall for the final push to the finish in Bakewell. This walk is not normally available on Mondays except for Bank Holidays, or on Wednesdays from October to February.

Starting from Miller's Dale Station near Buxton, this walk begins by following the beautiful valley of the River Wye past the notorious Litton Mill to the imposing Cressbrook Mill. It then leaves the river to head north to the unusual outcrop of Peter's Stone before making a lunch stop at a pub in the nearby village of Litton. From there, it descends Litton and Tideswell Dales to rejoin the River Wye for the return to the start point at Miller's Dale Station. Due to the opening times of the pub in Litton, this walk is not usually available on Mondays.

This circular walk begins in the pretty riverside village of Ashford-in-the-Water, next to its famous Sheepwash Bridge. Leaving the village, it climbs gently across open fields and past the ancient hill fort of Fin Cop as it makes its way to the viewpoint at Monsal Head. Dropping down into Monsal Dale, the walk then follows the River Wye to White Lodge, where it leaves the river to pass through Deep Dale before cutting cross country through peaceful woodland to rejoin the river for the return to the start point.

Starting from the village of Rowsley, this walk offers fine views of the Derwent Valley as it ascends onto the top of Stanton Moor. There, it visits the mysterious Nine Ladies stone circle and passes some of the many ancient cairns and burial mounds that can be found across the moor. The descent from Stanton Moor provides sweeping views across the Wye Valley before the walk follows the river back to Rowsley. Located close to both Bakewell and Chatsworth House, this walk is perfect for combining with a half-day visit to either.

Starting from Ashford-in-the-Water, this walk climbs up through the village of Sheldon to the ruins of Magpie Mine, the best preserved example of an old lead mine anywhere in Derbyshire. From Magpie Mine, the walk continues on past the remains of other lead mines to Over Haddon. This small village is of interest to fans of spy novels as Sir Maurice Oldfield, former head of MI6 and the supposed inspiration for the character of 'M' in the James Bond stories, was both born and buried in the village. The walk then drops back down into the valley for the return to Ashford-in-the-Water.

With just 450 feet of ascent, this is an easy circular walk beginning and ending at White Lodge, about halfway between the villages of Ashford-in-the-Water and Taddington. After ascending the rugged but pretty Deep Dale, it makes its way to the quiet upland village of Sheldon. Here, it is possible to make a short diversion to the nearby remains of Magpie Mine, one of the last lead mines to have operated in Derbyshire. From Sheldon, the walk then drops down through quiet woodland to join the River Wye, before heading back to the start point at White Lodge.

This walk combines both urban and countryside walking, looking at all of Buxton's most famous sights plus a few other less well known ones. Beginning with the town's railway station and the story of its lost identical twin, the walk heads south out of town and into the countryside for a look at the area's most explosive wartime secret. It then returns through a tranquil country park, heading back into the town centre for some Georgian splendour and Victorian culture, before ending with a free taste of the town's most famous export.