Cressbrook Dale & Monsal Trail Walk
A scenic peak district adventure with a pie and pint to end
This scenic walk takes you from the small village of Litton through the dramatic limestone gorge of Cressbrook Dale and along the Monsal Trail. Perfect for walkers seeking a blend of natural beauty, history, and a rewarding finish at a cosy village pub (great beer), this route has some of the finest features of the Peak District, and I think, one of my favourite.
Key stats:
Start Point: Litton, Peak District
Distance: 13.5 km
Elevation Gain: 320 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 4-5 hours
Where to start your Peak District hike
Map of Cressbrook Dale & Monsal Trail walk
Setting Off from Litton
Begin your walk in the charming village of Litton, where traditional stone cottages and quiet lanes set the tone. Follow the marked footpath southwards toward Cressbrook Dale.
Descending into Cressbrook Dale
As you approach the dale, the landscape opens into a dramatic limestone gorge. Cressbrook Dale stretches 400m wide, boasting lush greenery and an otherworldly tranquillity. Take a right and follow the well-trodden path through the dale.
Exploring the Dales
The route weaves its way through a mix of woodland and open meadows, offering occasional glimpses of Cressbrook Hall perched above. The path can be uneven in places, so sturdy footwear is recommended. The forest trail wasn’t the smoothest, so watch your footing throughout.
Cresbrook Tunnel
Joining the Monsal Trail
Eventually, you’ll reach the quiet village of Cresbrook where you’ll join the Monsal Trail, a former railway line turned into a traffic-free path ideal for walkers, cyclists, and wheelchair users. The trail itself runs 13km end to end and is a great day out with several cafe stops along the way. You'll eventually reach Millers Dale where you'll leave the Monsal trail. Cross the river Wye and follow the road back towards Tideswell Dale, another gorge with a trail running through it.
Returning to Litton
Follow the network of footpaths back the Litton and finish your walk at The Red Lion, Litton’s cosy village pub. Treat yourself to a hearty pie and pint by the fire.
Kit list for hiking
As mentioned, it's essential to bring appropriate clothing and footwear for the Fairfield Horseshoe. Here's a list of essential items to bring:
Sturdy walking boots and socks with good ankle support
You can get a decent pair of boots from Cotswold Outdoors, Mountain Warehouse or Blacks. You don’t need to spend a load of money, but anything with ankle support should do the job. I have the Scarpa Rush TRK Gore-Tex boots and they are fantastic!
Hiking socks: I personally use Smartwool merino wool socks which are incredibly comfy, help keep my feet dry
Daypack: when out walking in the Lakes, I always take my Osprey Talon 44L bag. I recommend the Osprey daypacks such as the Talon range for men and Tempest range for woman.
Waterproof jacket and trousers - even in the summer, taking a waterproof jacket that offers protection from the wind is key
You don’t need to spend a lot of money, but if you are going to be hiking often then investing in a good waterproof may be a good idea
Warm layers
Fleece - My go-to warm layer - Patagonia R1 Fleece
Warm gloves or mittens: I personally use the Rab Mens Pivot GTX Gloves and these worked well on my recent winter hiking trips.
Lightweight Gloves: For lower hills I recommend lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric gloves. I personally use the Sealskinz unisex waterproof gloves if it is raining and the Montane Prism gloves if it is dry but windy (they are lighter and a little more comfy.
Neck bandana or scarf: For the chilly days on the mountain, I recommend bringing a neck gaiter or bandana. I recommend the Buff unisex bandana.
Map and compass (and the ability to use them)
Trekking poles: Trekking poles can reduce the impact on your joints by up to 20%. I recommend adjustable Black Diamond or Leki trekking poles
Food and water
Kendal Mint Cake is my favourite snack for any walk and is a famous snack still made in the Lake District
Water bladder / bottles: When out in the fells, I aim to drink at least 1L of water. I recommend the Osprey 2 litre water badder which can be used in most backpacks.
Sunscreen and Bug Spray
First aid kit - a small mix of plasters, Savalon (for bites and stings) and antiseptic wipes will do
Head torch: You will need a head torch with a decent power for any trips to the loo and more importantly the summit hike. I personally use a Petzl ACTIK® 600 CORE which is affordable and has a decent battery life. You’ll also need spare batteries as the cold will drain them quicker.
Mobile phone (with a full battery) + portable charger.
I recommend any Anker Power Bank as they are reliable and well made. I use the USB-C 10,000 maH with 20W model. It charges my phone and watch when wild camping and is a great lightweight option