Russian Cottage

This quintessential Peak District walk is packed with snippets and features of interest

- Sally Mosley

ROUTE

1 Make your way to the former Bakewell Station and set off in an almost southerly direction, following the Monsal Trail to its end. This walking, cycling and horse riding route utilises a section of the former Midland Railway line constructed in the 1860s and closed a century later.

2 Turn left and walk under a high arched bridge then follow the old Bakewell to Rowsley coach road, an important way south before a turnpike road was laid in the bottom of the valley that later became the A6. This gated track slowly wends its way up through Coombs Farm and then open pasture in an area dotted and spotted by grazing sheep.

3 Arriving at a combination of paths where there is a geological bench that appears like a natural bridge, notice how land sweeps away on either side providing a lovely vista toward Peak Tor and the Derwent Valley one way or towards Bakewell behind you, where the agricultural business centre buildings look like a Bedouin encampment!