The Walk

Miller’s Dale via Monsal Trail, Topley Pike, Chelmorton and Priestcliffe by Francis Aynsley-Smith

Walk description: A circular walk that starts at Miller’s Dale Station, and follows the popular and flat Monsal Trail, a disused railway line, until just beyond Blackwell Mill Bike Hire. The route then continues to the Wyedale Car Park, from where it crosses the A6 to ascend a steep winding path to the side of Topley Pike quarry. Farm tracks then lead to the village of Chelmorton and from there to the small settlement of Priestcliffe. A series of stiles across fields lead to Miller’s Dale Nature Reserve and back to Miller’s Dale.

Distance: 9 miles, 14.5kms. Walking time: 3 to 4.5 hours.

Map: OS Explorer OL24, West Sheet.

Start/Parking: Pay and Display at Miller’s Dale Car Park/Station, where there is a cafe (check Winter opening hours) and toilets. T. 01298 871869. (Grid Reference SK138733, Postcode SK17 8SN).

Refreshments: Miller’s Dale Station (see above), Church Inn, Chelmorton (T. 01298 85319) and the Waterloo Inn on the A6.

From the car park turn westwards along the Monsal Trail towards Wyedale for around 3 miles, passing through the Chee Tor Tunnel, Chee Tor Tunnel No. 2 and the Rasher Cutting Tunnel. After these tunnels there is a viaduct on the right and the view then opens up on the right to show Blackwell Mill Cycle 28

Hire and Tuck Shop (T. 01298 70838, closed in the winter), with a terrace of white cottages on the opposite bank of the river. After a further 200 metres the Monsal Trail comes to an end. Follow a footpath on the left and a flight of steps going down to the River Wye below. At the river turn left and follow the broad track to Wyevale Car Park.

From the car park cross the busy A6 with care. The gate to Topley Pike Quarry is directly in front. Take the public footpath to the left of the gate, leading gently uphill between fences for about 300 metres. On the right there is a gate signposted to Deepdale, and an information board. Go through the gate and begin the steep climb up a twisting path to the top of the hill, with the quarry over to the right. Near the top, look to the left to find the stile across the wall. Go over the stile into a field, and head half right for 200 metres. Aim for the next stile that leads into a grassy lane. Turn left and continue southwards. The grassy lane merges with a farm track called Caxter Way Lane on the OS map. After 200 metres take the farm track that goes off to the right; it is way-marked. The lane curves to the left and comes to a metal gate. Go straight on past the gate into another grassy lane with stone walls on either side. This is easy walking with fine views. Continue for 1km until you arrive at the A5270. Cross the road, and the grassy lane continues for 300 metres to a gate in front signed “Private Land”. The path turns left here. After 75 metres there is a

Once in the village main street, turn left on the pavement. Note the two interesting water troughs on the left, the last of seven, fed by “Illy Willy Water”, formerly Chelmorton’s main water supply. Keep straight ahead with the church on your right and the Church Inn to your left. The church has an interesting weathervane of a locust and is dedicated to St John the Baptist. Go uphill past the pub and the Illy Willy Water Spring, to find the bridleway and turn right, climbing steeply past the trees to where it opens out at the top. There are excellent views all round. The path is tussocky and runs over former lead mine workings. Where the path splits keep to the right. After passing through a gate into Pillwell Lane (the Pennine Bridleway), turn right and immediately left to keep in the same direction. Cross the stile into a field.

This path runs straight across three more stiles to arrive at the Limestone Way, also called Sough Lane on the OS map. It is broad - turn left along it through an iron gate. The track is easy to follow and soon goes downhill, twisting as it does so. It leads down to the Waterloo Inn on the A6. Cross the A6 with care and continue opposite on the tarmac lane. This runs gently downhill bearing to the right and crossing another tarmac road before reaching Priestcliffe. There is little traffic on the lane.

From the small green in the centre of Priestcliffe follow the signpost leftwards towards Millerdale. The track bears half left past a farm. After 50 metres, there is a finger post and stile to the right that takes you into a field. Cross the left-hand corner of the field at 45 degrees to reach the next stile. The path here then runs pretty straight in a north easterly direction over a succession of stiles. These have been painted yellow on either side making the sequence easy to follow. This is easy walking over fields, first descending then rising to the ridge and the Miller’s Dale Nature Reserve. Cross the stile here and the path turns right and descends alongside a series of old iron posts (the descent can be steep in places). Keep going to reach the Monsal Trail at the bottom. Turn left here and after 300 metres return to Miller’s Dale Car Park/Station.

Poynton Rambling Club organises and leads walks during the day on Sundays and Wednesdays, with popular evening pub walks in the summer months, as well as social events and walking weeks elsewhere in the UK. All are welcome, and membership costs just £5 a year. For a full schedule of walks and further information about our friendly Club please visit www.poyntonramblingclub.co.uk