Ashford-in-the Water and the Monsal Viaduct

 

Date: Saturday 3rd August 2013
Route: Ashford-in-the-Water Circular via the Monsal Viaduct, Monsal Dale and Deep Dale
Distance: 5.5 miles

Our second walk of a long weekend in the Peak District was the better of the two walks, starting off in the picturesque village of Ashford-in-the-Water and a steep climb up to the hillsides above the village. After passing alongside fields of waving corn and weathered grey stone walls, the path meets up with the Monsal Trail walking/ cycle path to cross the impressive viaduct at Monsal Head (derided by contemporary critics as a blot of the landscape but now looking perfectly at home amongst the greenery).

The path then descends to follow the River Wye through the valley, alongside waterfalls and through green fields before heading back to Ashford on the other side of the A6 on a woodland path that kept us shaded from a short, sharp shower.

The final section of the walk heads over Ashford's Sheepwash Bridge (complete with a pen where the sheep were kept before being dunked in the river in bygone times and multiple ducks).

This is a highly recommended walk and definitely the perfect way to spend a pleasant valley Sunday/ Saturday/ any day.