Monsal Trail : Essential lighting works is taking place from Mon 13 May for five weeks. Tunnels will remain open but light levels may be lower than usual. Please obey signs and take care when passing the works.

Looking after

How we work to look after the national park, conservation, ranger services, biodiversity and policies.

News release

09 August 2012

Have your say on draft trails management plan

The Peak District National Park Authority would welcome people’s views on its first management plan for four recreational trails used by thousands of walkers, cyclists and horse-riders each year.
 
A six-week public consultation on the draft five-year plan is now under way, and people have until September 17 to give their feedback on www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/looking-after/trailsplan
 
The trails, owned and managed by the Authority, are all former railway lines with a relatively flat terrain that offers easy access and traffic-free enjoyment.
 
They are:

  • Monsal Trail, 8.5 miles from Bakewell to Wyedale, near Buxton.
  • Tissington Trail, 13 miles from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay, near Hartington
  • High Peak Trail, 10.5 miles from south of Buxton to Longcliffe, near Wirksworth
  • Thornhill Trail, a short two-mile stretch near the Upper Derwent Valley.
They are regarded as some of the best recreational routes in the country, passing through glorious countryside, rich in wildlife and historic interest. In addition, the Monsal Trail received a huge boost last year when four old railway tunnels were re-opened for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.

The draft management plan was drawn up with the help of user-groups in a series of workshops over the past year, plus a Trails Saturday when trail-users were asked to fill in surveys.

It includes action plans for managing the trails and their verges, optimising their benefits and promoting people’s awareness and understanding of their setting, history and habitats.

Trails manager Abi Ball said: “Given the importance of the trails to local people and visitors, we’d like to give people the opportunity to comment on the plan which is available to view and download from our website at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/looking-after/trailsplan.

You can email your comments on the consultation to abi.ball@peakdistrict.gov.uk. (Please put 'Trails Management Plan consultation response' in the subject line of your e-mail.)