Millersdale, The Monsal Trail and Chee Dale
Today we met up with the Rangers from The Peak District National Park at Millersdale Station. The railway was the first London to Manchester railway line but was closed 40 years ago. Now it provides an easy walking surface suitable for people with limited mobility.
The Rangers had arranged a special treat for us today, to walk through a “closed” railway tunnel not open to the general public. From there we could access Chee Dale and the stepping stones in the River Wye which would normally be too far for us to walk in the time available.
The tunnel was gated, once in it was very dark. It was also quite cold inside. At one point we all turned our lights off and it was totally dark!!
As we came out the other end, it felt very warm as we stepped out into the sunshine. Like walking out from a fridge.
From the tunnel we descended down steep steps to the river, crossed a bridge and walked along the stepping stones above the water. We then turned around and went the same way back. A great experience.
