The Monsal Trail runs from just east of Bakewell station to Blackwell Mill, a few miles downstream of Buxton on the river Wye.

It is unsuitable for cycling at its western half, with rocky diversions around closed tunnels, but the section from Bakewell to Longstone offers pleasant and easy cycling, though like the Longendale Trail the best return route is along the trail itself. Cycle hire is available near Bakewell station.

The plateau is split by the deep gorge-like fissures of the dales. These dales, like Dovedale, Monsal Dale and Lathkill Dale are among the few Peak landscapes which have been left entirely untouched by man. On the steep rocky faces of their sides are found some of the rarest and most beautiful plants and insects in the Park. The dales were formed by melt water from Ice Age glaciers cutting down through the permeable limestone.