Chee Dale Stepping Stones Walk: Route, Parking and the Monsal Trail

Chee Dale is a limestone gorge in the Peak District, cut by the River Wye, about 3 miles from Buxton. The stepping stones run along the side of the river rather than across it, under cliffs hung with woodland, and they are the reason most people come. The walk is short, the gorge is quiet, and the stones are the kind of place that makes a normal walk feel like a small adventure.

You can only reach the stones on foot. The quickest way takes 10 to 15 minutes from the Monsal Trail, and the full circular walk takes 2 to 3 hours. This guide gives both routes, the parking, the bus, and the one warning that matters: when the river is high, the stones are under water.

Figure 1: The stepping stones in Chee Dale, with a walker on the stones and the River Wye beside them. The cover photo shows the first set of stones.

Getting there and parking

The closest car park is Miller's Dale car park, Wormhill, Buxton SK17 8SN, just off the B6049 between Wormhill and Blackwell. It is a small pay-and-display car park with about 28 spaces, chargeable from 9 am to 6 pm. It fills on fine weekends, so arrive early. The alternative start is the Wye Dale car park, SK17 9TE, on the A6 opposite the Topley Pike quarry, with a 10-minute walk to Blackwell Mill.

By bus, the number 65 runs from Buxton to Topley Pike, the closest stop to Chee Dale, and also serves Sheffield, Grindleford, Calver, Eyam, and Tideswell. From Topley Pike it is about a 20-minute walk along the A6 and up to the Monsal Trail, then the descent into the gorge. Miller's Dale is about 8 miles from Bakewell and under 20 miles from Sheffield.

The Monsal Trail

The Monsal Trail is an 8.5-mile traffic-free path on the old Midland Railway line between London and Manchester. It runs through the Wye valley on viaducts and through tunnels, and it is one of the most used walking and cycling routes in the Peak District. The Chee Dale walk starts on the trail from Miller's Dale car park, crosses the Monsal Dale Viaduct, and passes through the short Chee Tor tunnel. Cyclists share the trail, so keep to the side when you walk it.

The short route: stones in 30 minutes

From Miller's Dale car park, join the Monsal Trail and walk west. Go through the Chee Tor tunnel, walk down the steps, and follow the river to the first set of stones. The walk from the car park to the stones takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Cross the stones, walk the riverside path, and return the same way. Allow about 30 minutes in total if you only want one set of stones, and an hour if you linger and take photos.

The full loop: 5 to 6.5 km, 2 to 3 hours

The full circular walk takes in both sets of stepping stones, the Monsal Trail, and the riverside paths through Chee Dale Nature Reserve. Routes differ by start point: the loop from Miller's Dale is about 5 km, and the loop from the Wye Dale alternative start is about 6.5 to 8 km. Allow 2 to 3 hours at a walking pace, or a whole morning if the weather is good.

The route has uneven ground, steep drops, and some easy scrambling up and down rock steps. The stones sit under the cliffs and are often wet. Wear shoes with grip, not trainers with smooth soles. Blackwell Mill Cycle Hire has a refreshment kiosk and picnic benches. The hire shop was closed for the 2026 season, so check before you count on it.

Figure 2: The second set of stepping stones on the River Wye, under the cliffs of Chee Tor.

The one warning that matters

Do not walk the gorge when the river is high. The stepping stones can be under water after rain, and the riverside path has steep drops with no fences. Even in fine weather, the gorge needs care: the rock steps are slippery, the path is narrow in places, and the stones run along the river rather than across it. Check the river level before you set out, and turn back if the first stones are covered.

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn are the best months. The woodland is green, the river is usually low, and the car park is quieter than in summer. Summer is the busiest season, and the stones are at their most crowded on fine weekends. Winter walks are possible, but the stones are slippery and the river runs higher. Go early in the morning for the quietest gorge.

What it costs

• Parking: pay-and-display at Miller's Dale car park, 9 am to 6 pm. The Wye Dale car park and the Topley Pike layby are free.
• The walk: free. There is no entry fee for Chee Dale or the Monsal Trail.
• Bus: the number 65 from Buxton to Topley Pike. Check the current timetable, as the service changes with the season.

Sources: Chimp Trips Chee Dale walk for the 5-mile circular, the 2 to 3 hour time, and the Miller's Dale car park; Third Eye Traveller for the 3-mile walk, the two sets of stones, and the 10 to 15 minute short route; Walk Peak District for the 6.5 km circular, the bus 65, and the high-river warning. Distances differ between sources because the start point differs. Check the current parking charges and bus times before you travel.

Frequently asked questions