Discover the Stunning Chee Dale Stepping Stones Walk in the Peak District
If you’re looking for a unique and picturesque walk in the Peak District, the Chee Dale Stepping Stones should be high on your list. This family-friendly route offers a mix of adventure and natural beauty, with the stepping stones themselves providing an exhilarating experience.
We were thrilled to find that this scenic walk was just a short distance from Tideswell, the Derbyshire village where we were staying and it was one we knew we wanted to try. I’m glad we did, as the Chee Dale Stepping Stones walk became one of our favourite Peak District walks.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know for your visit to Chee Dale Stepping Stones, including information on parking, opening times, walking directions, and tips for the best time to visit. Plus, we’ll include details of a shorter route if you’re looking for a quicker stroll.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or seeking a family-friendly outing, this walk is a must-visit when exploring the Peak District.
Contents: click to jump to a section
What is Chee Dale?
Chee Dale is a picturesque, deep-sided limestone gorge carved by the River Wye in the heart of the Peak District National Park. Located just 3 miles from Buxton, Derbyshire, this tranquil valley is renowned for its nature reserve, ancient woodland, and the iconic Chee Dale stepping stones, which add a unique charm to the landscape.
A haven for nature enthusiasts, Chee Dale offers diverse wildlife, lush greenery, and the soothing sounds of the river.
Overview of the Chee Dale Stepping Stones walk (5 miles)
- Start: Miller’s Dale Car Park
- Distance: 5 miles (8km)
- Time: 2-3 hours
- Difficulty: moderate (physically challenging in parts)
- Terrain: uneven,
- Refreshments: 2 cafés, toilets at start
How long is the Chee Dale walk?
There are several routes you can take to explore the Chee Dale Stepping Stones, but we chose a scenic 5-mile circular walk that allowed us to visit both sets of stepping stones. That’s right – there are two sets of stepping stones to discover, each offering stunning views of this limestone gorge.
Parking for Chee Dale
- Parking: Miller’s Dale Car Park, Wormhill, Buxton SK17 8SN
- What 3 words: ///thighs.suddenly.tabs
- No of spaces: 80 spaces
- Cost: up to 2 hours £2.50 and all day £4.00
- Opening times: 9am – 6pm
- Facilities: Café, toilets, EV charging stations, picnic tables
Our Chee Dale Stepping Stones walk begins at the Miller’s Dale car park, conveniently located just off the B6049, between Wormhill and Blackwell. This pay-and-display car park is easy to find and offers great facilities, making it an ideal starting point for your walk.
Before you set off, you can grab a bite to eat or a takeaway snack at the café housed in the old railway building at Miller’s Dale station. With hot food, sandwiches, and refreshments available, it’s the perfect spot to fuel up for your walk or to stop when you return. They also have toilets and changing facilities.
Getting to the Chee Dale Stepping Stones
The Monsal Trail
The route to the Chee Dale Stepping Stones begins on the iconic Monsal Trail, which is conveniently accessible directly from the car park.
Originally a bustling railway line that connected London and Manchester, this disused track carried passengers and freight until its closure in 1967. In 1981, the Peak District National Park transformed the railway into the Monsal Trail, now one of the most popular walking and cycling routes in the Peak District. With its scenic views and fascinating history, the trail has become a favourite for families outdoor enthusiasts.
This section of the walk is wonderfully flat and easy, following the gentle gradients of the old railway path. It’s a great way to ease into your journey!
The East Buxton Lime Kilns
Not far into your walk, take a brief stop to visit the East Buxton Lime Kilns. This massive concrete structure, dating back to 1880, was once a bustling industrial site, producing over 50 tonnes of quicklime daily to supply the steel and chemical industries. The kilns remained operational until 1944, and today they stand as an impressive reminder of the region’s industrial heritage.
You can climb inside the kiln to see what it might have been like during its working days. It only takes 5 minutes, but is worth it, especially if you’re walking with children. The site also supports diverse wildlife, including swifts and bats. Be sure to bring a torch, as it can be quite dark inside!
The Monsal tunnels
After exploring the lime kilns, rejoin the Monsal Trail to continue your journey. As this trail is also a popular cycling route, keep an eye out for cyclists sharing the path.
Along the way, you’ll cross the abseiling bridge, where you may see people abseiling into the valley below. Shortly after, you’ll pass through the Chee Dale Tunnel, a short but exciting tunnel, which is fun for kids.
Ignore signs along the route which direct you down the hill to Chee Dale.
Blackwell Mill Cycle Hire
Continue along the Monsal Trail until you reach Blackwell Mill Cycle Hire. Here, you’ll find a refreshment kiosk and picnic benches, making it the perfect stop for a quick drink or snack.
Afterwards, cross the river via the picturesque wooden bridge and turn right onto the scenic riverside path, doubling back on yourself. Look for the Chee Dale signpost to guide you in the right direction.
Now, follow the riverside path along the River Wye. This section of the route is a nature lover’s dream. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, such as herons, kingfishers, dippers, and wagtails. While we didn’t spot any on this visit, we were lucky enough to see a group of elegant mandarin ducks further along the route.
The Chee Dale Stepping Stones
Follow the path, descending the steps beneath the viaduct and continue along the River Wye.
Eventually, you’ll reach the first set of Chee Dale Stepping Stones. These stepping stones are not your typical river crossing. Instead, they run parallel to the edge of the towering limestone cliffs, creating a picturesque path through the water. In fact, the stones even lead beneath an overhanging cliff.
While the stepping stones are great fun to cross, take care, especially if the water level is high or the stones are slippery.
During busy times, you may need to wait for walkers approaching from the other direction.
Continue on the same track and you’ll come to the second set of Chee Dale stepping stones.
The route to Chee Dale Nature Reserve
The section of walk after the Chee Dale Stepping Stones proved to be more challenging than the earlier stages. The terrain became uneven and rocky, requiring some clambering over exposed tree roots and boulders.
As we tackled this part of the trail after a prolonged period of heavy rain, the path was extremely muddy, turning some areas into a bit of a mud swamp! While there were a few stretches with boardwalks, much of the route was a muddy challenge, so sturdy footwear was essential.
Despite the tricky conditions, this rugged section is very scenic, making it a rewarding part of the walk for anyone who enjoys a bit of adventure.
Return on the Monsal Trail
As you reach the Chee Dale Nature Reserve, this is the perfect spot to stop for a picnic. After your break, cross another bridge, climb up the hill, and then follow the Monsal Trail back toward Miller’s Dale to complete your loop.
You can see that it’s not the best walk to do after heavy rain and will not be accessible for everyone. However, walk’s natural beauty and diverse features make it one of the Peak District’s most popular walks. We all loved it! It’s a must-do for nature lovers and walkers looking for a fun experience in the Peak District!
Top tips for the Chee Dale Stepping Stones walk
- Wear sturdy, waterproof walking shoes or boots. The terrain is uneven and can be wet.
- The stepping stones can be slippery.
- After heavy rain, the stepping stones may be submerged!
- In summer, wear bug spray.
- There are no toilet facilities (apart from at the start).
- Phone signal is limited
Getting to Chee Dale
By car
The easiest way to get to the start of the Chee Dale Stepping Stones walk is by car. Miller’s Dale is in the heart of the Peak District, about 8 miles from Bakewell. It is less than 20 miles from Sheffield.
By public transport
You can take a bus from Buxton to Millers Dale car park, using line no 65 or 65a (in school holidays).
A shorter alternative: Out-and-back route to the Chee Dale Stepping Stones
- Parking: Wye Dale car park (SK17 9TE)
If you’d prefer a shorter option than the full circular route, there’s a fantastic out-and-back walk to the Chee Dale Stepping Stones.
Start by parking at the Wye Dale car park, located opposite the entrance to Topley Pike Aggregate Quarry on the A6. From here, it’s just a 10-minute walk to Blackwell Mill Cycle Hire, where you can join the main trail to the stepping stones (following the directions above).
Once you’ve crossed the stones, simply retrace your steps back to the car park.
This option is perfect if you’re short on time or prefer a less strenuous route. If you don’t have a car, you can also take a bus to the Wye Dale car park.
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