Navigating the Chee Dale Stepping Stones Trail: Everything you need to know to visit

If you are anything like me, you might have lived in a place for a long time, and failed to explore it properly. That changed during the pandemic. I have called Manchester home for the past 12 years, and a few years ago if you had of asked me about the Chee Dale stepping stones, I probably would have given you a blank look.

Fast forward to after the pandemic, and I, like many other Brits felt this renewed need to explore my own back yard. So together with a group of friends, I started to venture out and explore all these incredible places that are only a short drive from Manchester city centre.

Chee Dale is one of those places! It’s just over an hours drive away from Manchester, and is the perfect place to visit if you are hoping to do a day trip to the Peak District.

In this article we go through absolutely everything you need to know about visiting the Chee Dale stepping stones, including all the practicalities like parking and amenities.

About the Chee Dale Stepping Stones

The Chee Dale Stepping Stones are located in the Peak District. They are close to Bakewell and Buxton, so you can easily combine the Chee Dale walk with a larger Peak District itinerary. They are located in Chee Dale which is an incredibly scenic valley. There are two sets of stepping stones along this walk that have been placed for walkers to help them get over parts of the river.

You will start you walk at Miller’s Dale Car Park, and follow the River Wye through magical surrounds in a limestone gorge that honestly belong in a fairytale.

The Chee Dale walk is a circular route which and part of this goes via the Monsal Trail. It’s incredibly easy to navigate, and there are plenty of signs posting you in the right direction.

It’s also really cool because there are several signposts along the way that will educate you in the history of the area. On the walk you will not only discover the Chee Dale stepping stones, but also caves, ravines, viaducts, and more.

Getting to the Chee Dale Stepping Stones from Manchester

Getting to the Chee Dale Stepping stones is relatively easy, particularly if you are coming from Manchester, but it’s worth noting that you will need a car.

The drive from Manchester will take you around 1.5 hours, but this will of course depend on traffic. If you get lucky and have a good run you can do it in about 1 hour 5 minutes.

You can get public transport that will take you near the route, but something to keep in mind is that this will involve a lot of extra walking and travel. The closest bus stop would be around Topley Pike (outside the Maxi Readymix), and it would involve a 20 or so minute walk to get to the start of the Chee Dale walk.

You will need to get the 65 bus which is operated by Stagecoach between Sheffield and Buxton. If you are coming from Manchester you will first need to factor in transport to Sheffield/ Buxton, hence why we recommend going by car.

Parking around the Chee Dale Stepping Stones

Once you arrive at Chee Dale the best place to park is Miller’s Dale car park. The full address is Miller’s Dale Car Park, Wormhill, Buxton.

You can pop the following postcode into your Satnav: SK17 8SN. Or you can follow via the map below.

You could also park at the Wyedale Car Park, which is a bit further, but does eventually allow you to join the Monsall Trail, which will eventually take you to the Chee Dale stepping Stones. The postcode for this car park is SK17 9TE.

Our recommendation for parking though is Miller’s Dale as mentioned above. This is paid parking (as is Wyedale Car Park). There are a decent amount of spaces, however on a nice day you do need to get in early (before 11am) to get a spot. When we visited, I think we ended up getting one of the last spots.

Car Parking is payable by the hour, and you will need to pay via the ticket machine in advance. The ticket machine accepts both cash and card, and you can pay for 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, or all day parking. An hour will cost you around £1.50 and all day is under £5.

We ended up paying for 4 hours parking, which honestly we didn’t need, but thought 2 hours might not be enough. Two hours parking won’t be enough if you are planning to do the Chee Dale walk, visit the Chee Dale stepping stones, and then chill out for a bite to eat or coffee afterwards.

If you are dead set against paying for parking there is the Chee Dale Layby, but spaces are limited.

Amenities near the Chee Dale Stepping Stones

One of the most important things before you embark on your Chee Dale walk is knowing what amenities are available. Or maybe it’s just me that needs to desperately use the facilities and make sure I’ve got enough water and food to make sure I can survive for days!

But in all seriousness here is a list of the amenities near the Chee Dale stepping stones.

Toilets

There are free toilets at the car park. These include male, female, and disabled toilets. If you need to go make sure you take advantages of the amenities before you set off on your walk as there are no further toilets on route.

Food and drink

There is a small cafe next to the toilets by the car park. Here you can stock up on bottles of water, and other refreshments. They do tea, and coffee, sweet treats, ice cream, sandwiches, and limited hot food. Some of the hot food includes things like a baked potato which is always enjoyable after a long walk.

The cafe is only small so during peak visiting times you will have to wait in line for food and drink. Opening hours vary, but the cafe is usually open between 9.30am and 5.00pm. This will be dependant on the season of course. Our advice is not to completely rely on the cafe for food and drink. Pack some snacks and enough water just in case.

Seating

There is limited seating near the cafe. There are a few outdoor picnic style benches, but keep in mind these do fill very quickly, particularly at lunch time on a nice day. You can sit on the ground but if you want to be extra comfy you could bring a picnic rug or blanket.

How long is the Chee Dale Stepping Stones Walk

The walk around Chee Dale, which includes part of the Monsal trail, as well as the Chee Dale stepping stones is just under 7km. In terms of time you can do it in about 1.5 – 2 hours.

We did take a little bit longer just because it’s so scenic and I kept stopping to take photos and pat every dog that passed us by! Three hours we would say is the most amount of time you would need to complete the Chee Dale walk.

What kind of walk is it to the Chee Dale Stepping Stones

This is one of the easier walks we have done in the Peak District. The elevation of the walk is 273 metres. Considering it is the Peak District that is pretty low.

Most of the walk is flat, with one section of the walk that takes you up a steepish hill. Don’t worry if you aren’t great with steep walks, you can take it slowly and at your own pace. It is by no means a difficult walk.

Who is the Chee Dale Walk suited to

The walk to the Chee Dale Stepping stones is suited to pretty much all fitness levels. We encountered hikers, couples taking a stroll, people walking their dogs on and off lead, runners, and even families with young children.

The Monsal Trail is also well suited to those looking to ride their bikes, although the actual part with the Chee Dale stepping stones probably isn’t best for bikes as you will need to carry this. There are also lots of uneven and narrow bridges so not ideal for cyclists.

When is the best time to visit the Chee Dale Stepping Stones

Obviously the best time to visit the Chee Dale stepping stones will be on a dry day. But there are other things you will need to factor in here too.

For instance if there has been heavy rain leading up to your visit the Chee Dale stepping stones may be completely submerged underwater. In this instance you will not be able to pass them, and you will not be able to complete your Chee Dale walk.

Rain leading up to your visit will also mean muddy paths which will impact your walk. You will need to make sure you are wearing proper hiking boots, if this is the case.

The warmer months of summer and spring are the optimal times to visit. The days are also longer, and there is less chance of rain. But keep in mind the Chee Dale stepping stones are incredibly popular, and as soon as you get a nice sunny day this is when people tend to visit.

Weekends can be busy, as can school holidays, but don’t let this put you off. We just recommend you arrive early to avoid the crowds.

Autumn is also a really great time to do a Chee Dale walk. The leaves start to change colour, which makes it incredibly beautiful.

The winter months can also be nice, but you need to take extra care, as often paths can be icy and dangerous.

Wondering when the best and worst time to visit England is as a whole? Here is a helpful guide.

Chee Dale Stepping Stones Circular route

You will start your route to the Chee Dale stepping stones from Miller’s Dale car park. The walk starts on the Monsal Trail, and soon you will pass the East Buxton Lime Kiln.

You can have a quick nip inside, although it is quite damp. Apparently this is where quicklime was made back in 1880.

You essentially follow the path to Chee Dale, and eventually you will start to follow the River Wye. You will also pass a viaduct before you get to the river, which really adds to the incredible scenery.

It’s not just the stepping stones you will pass, but also wooden bridges, stone walls, and the Chee Dale Valley.

There is a longer circular route you can do, or you can head back onto the Monsal Trail which if you follow will eventually lead you back to the car park via some long tunnels.

The walk is pretty well signposted, and if in doubt just get back on the Monsal Trail.

What to bring when doing the Chee Dale Walk

Here is a list of things to bring on your hike to the Chee Dale stepping stones.

• Small backpack with supplies
• Water
• Snacks
• Decent hiking boots
• Waterproof jacket
• Sun Protection
• A rug for a picnic if you want
• Portable charger to charge your phone with all the photos you will take

Things to see and do near the Chee Dale Stepping Stones

Once you have completed the walk to the Chee Dale stepping stones, you might be wondering what else there is to do in the area.

Here are some suggestions for other activities you can do in the area.

GO ABSEILING

You can actually go Abseiling down one of the old railway bridges that you pass on your way to the Chee Dale stepping stones. You can book this with a professional for a fun group activity.

It’s not something I could ever do being terrified of heights but it is a really scenic place to abseil, so if I was going to do it anywhere it would probably be here.

LUD’S CHURCH

We ended up doing the Chee Dale stepping stone walk in the morning, then walking around Lud’s Church in the afternoon. This is another walk that isn’t too strenuous, although it is very muddy!

It’s about a 30 minute drive between the two locations.

POOLE’S CAVERN

Poole’s Cavern is only 15 minutes drive away from Chee Dale. It’s essentially a nearly 2 million year old natural limestone cave. For around £15.00 you can book yourself a guided tour of the caves, which is well worth it.

SOLOMON’S TEMPLE

Solomon’s Temple is a great little viewpoint in Buxton where you will get some incredible views over the Peak District. This is also only about 15 minutes drive from where you park for the Chee Dale stepping stones.

Tips for visiting the Chee Dale Stepping Stones

Here are some final tips for visiting the Chee Dale Stepping Stones

• Don’t be a litter bug – take all your rubbish with you and place it in the bins provided. If you don’t see a bin or they are full do the right thing and take your rubbish home.
• The same goes for dogs – clean up after your pet because no one wants to step in your dogs poop.
• Keep your dogs on a lead as you don’t want them disturbing wildlife – I know not everyone listens to this so at least keep an eye on your dog if they are off the lead.
• Dress appropriately for the weather.
• Wear proper shoes.
• Take care when walking as paths and the Chee Dale stepping stones themselves can get slippery.
• Paths can also get muddy, so again exercise caution.
• Bring water and snacks with you.

Should I visit the Chee Dale Stepping Stones?

Wondering if you should do the Chee Dale walk and visit the Chee Dale stepping stones? Honestly yes. It’s such a fantastic walk particularly if you live around Manchester. It’s a relatively easy walk, without too much climbing so it’s great for all age groups and fitness levels. It’s also a short enough walk that you can combine it with a day out to Bakewell, or even see Lud’s Church.

If you are trying to decide between the Lake District or Peak District here is a handy guide.

Hopefully this article has been useful and you enjoy your walk. You can also pin this guide for later.