🌳Ashford in the Water Summer Solstice 8 mile Walk🌤️Monsal Dale🌤Monsal Head🌳

Our picturesque walk starts in the tiny chocolate box village of Ashford in the Water with its pretty limestone cottages and beautiful gardens.
There are 2 pubs and a beautiful church where relics dating back to 1200 can be seen.
Ashford in the Water is also home to the most photographed Sheepwash Bridge in Britain, lambs were kept in the walled pen on the other side to encourage their mums to go in for a swim. It's still in good working order and many tourists visit every year.

Leaving this picturesque village, the route heads off through woodland and into part of Deep Dale Nature Reserve with its abundance of plants and flowers.

The path leads into the beautiful Monsal Dale, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The walk is beautiful along the winding river surrounded by stunning landscape and the sound of little waterfalls and weirs.

Climbing out of Monsal Dale, the path heads up onto the famous railway viaduct, known as the Headstone Viaduct. It's now become a cycle path and footpath.
The path climbs higher to one of the most famous view points in Derbyshire, Monsal Head.
This beauty spot gives a spectacular view down into Monsal Dale and up the Wye Valley, the river far below winds through the rocky valley.

After a welcome break taking in the stunning views, we head off along grassy field tracks back to Ashford in the Water where we started this beautiful walk.

As always, catching up points and plenty of breaks along the way

Bring a picnic lunch plenty of water and snacks to keep you going along the way

Toilets at the start

Walking boots are advisable

As always check the weather and dress accordingly, the weather can change very quickly here, a spare layer is advisable

Look forward to sharing this spectacular scenic walk for another adventure..👩‍🦯🐕🧑‍🦯🐕‍🦺🐕🦮🐄🐑