Buxton River Walk
The popular spa town of Buxton has a number of waymarked trails taking you though this beautiful area of the Peak District. There's also challenging hill climbs, riverside paths, pretty reservoirs and delightful parks to explore.
This walk from the town visits a series of beautiful valleys along the River Wye. You'll pass through Wye Dale, Chee Dale, and the popular Miller's Dale before finishing at Cressbrook Dale. It's about a 10 mile walk so 20 miles there and back. You can shorten it by going as far as Miller's Dale which is one of the highlights of the area. Here you have the option of heading north from the river and visiting Tideswell Dale and the village of Tideswell.
It's a fantastic area for walking with the rushing waters of the river, shady woodland and lots of wildlife to look out for on the way. Please note it's downhill on the way there so save some energy for the way back! You could turn it into a circular walk by heading north at Monk's Dale and returning through the countryside via Tunstead.
The walk uses some of the excellent long distance trails you can pick up near the town. This includes the Midshires Way, Pennine Bridleway and Monsal Trail.
Buxton River Walk Ordnance Survey Map 
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Buxton River Walk Open Street Map 
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Buxton River Walk OS Map 
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Buxton River Walk Open Street Map 
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Pubs/Cafes
The Old Sun Inn is a good choice for some post walk refreshments. The pub is a former 17th-century coaching inn with a charming interior including stone floor and oak panelling. There's also a garden area to sit out in if the weather is good. You can find the inn on the High Street with a postcode of SK17 6HA for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The river paths through the dales are ideal for dog walking. There's also some nice parkland and woodland trails in Buxton Country Park to the south west of the town centre.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
For more walking ideas in the area see the Derbyshire Walks and the Peak District Walks pages.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
'The Slopes', Buxton. From here the green lawns of The Slopes fall away and down to Buxton's famous Crescent. The cylinder of black iron fencing encloses a weather-station, including a white equipment box and a sunny hours recorder.
The Crescent, Buxton. Designed in the 1770s by John Carr of York, to rival Bath. It was originally two hotels and six boarding houses. Eventually the hotels took over the whole block but the building became derelict in the 1980s and is about to be transformed into one, new, spa hotel utilising the hot springs which were once sampled in the former pumphouse in the foreground. Beyond is the dome of the Royal Devonshire Hospital, originally the stable block for the hotels and now part of the University of Derby.
Bridge and Bandstand, an idyllic scene in the town's Pavilion Gardens. It's a lovely place for a stroll with the River Wye running through the park.
Pavilion Gardens in the town centre. The building in the back of this photo is the Opera House.
River Wye, Millers Dale
River Wye in Chee Dale
Cressbrook Dale Stream. During much of the year this part of the valley is dry. But at times, the stream which usually appears only further down the dale, flows its full length. On the day of this photograph, there were a number of camera-shy ducks swimming happily about.
Glebe Farm, Miller's Dale Seen from the old railway viaduct on the Monsall Trail. Note that railings on the viaduct actually used for pedestrians have been sensitively modernised by having additional rails welded to make sure the gaps are too small for small dogs or people to fall through.