From start go W along Monsal Trail 400yds. R over stile "Little Longstone & Monsal Head". Obvious path, 3 gates, then L up road past "The Hollow" B&B and Packhorse Inn then 700yds to Monsal Head Hotel. With care cross s/o to viewpoint by cafe. R down f/p 60yds (steps) then L "Viaduct & Monsal Trail" go over viaduct to first Control Point and punch card in box 1 - on fence corner before bridlegate identifiable by red/white "barrier" tape. GR 182716 (1.25 miles).
Just before closed tunnel there are excellent views of Cressbrook Mill (1783) & Bull Tor 1000'. Through gate, f/p contouring along valley side (ignore small fork to L). At pool/crags ("Water-cum-Jolly") follow steps & hairpin R to footbridge. A beautiful spot by the weir - shame about the builders yard though!
Turn R to go past "D's Brew Stop" and the main mill building. Turn L and head up main (RH) road (NOT the 20% one!). Keep to R 600 yds then R down lane "Ravensdale - no through road" to Ravensdale Cottages, Ravencliffe Crag towering 300' above. s/o onto f/p into depths of Cressbrook Dale, over footbridge, after approx 200 yds take R fork uphill through low trees emerging into pasture. At wall corner follow f/p towards hummock on skyline (old lead workings) & stile to Control Point 2 - fence post against wall near NNR sign. GR177745 (3.5miles), follow wide grassy f/p to stile, s/o narrow f/p to road (Wardlow) and cross with utmost care!! This is the 4 mile/half way point.
Go R on pavement for 400yds to f/p on L just before "Hey Farm" sign. Contour towards broken wall and tree to awkward stile (beware of barbed wire!). s/o on for 2 more fields to road (marshalled point 4.75 miles - cold drinks & biscuits available here). s/o over stile follow f/p uphill, wall to L, widescreen crag to R 400yds to Control Point 3 fence post by stile GR193741 (5miles), Take path S and uphill through low heather and to skyline. 20yds after post take small path/trod to R towards wide grassy swathe and swing R onto feint track to 2 obvious copses on the skyline to cairn 100yds to W of RH copse and Control Point 4 - on northernmost fence post 10yds from cairn GR189733 (5.75miles). This is the summit of Longstone Moor, the high point of the challenge at 1297'. From here you can see _--_ Baslow Edge (4.5 miles), Riber Castle (11.5miles), Crich Stand (15miles), Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station (33miles), Minninglow (10miles) and Axe Edge (10miles).
Follow track/slope to W. at broken wall/gate/blue pipe turn L then 150yds L over stile onto track S side of line of trees and descend to sheepfold and final Control Point 5 - fence post against wall GRID 89728 (6.25miles). Great views to south! Turn R along track for 600yds. Then L over double stile into field "Little Longstone ¾ mile" aim 20yds to L of tree, s/o at stile at wall corner, down fields, wall to L, then to side of shallow dale. Go over stile, past dewpond, s/o stile at wall corner, past damaged tree to wooden "Z" stile. After 100yds go R over stile then to gate/stile by 2 large trees, small path to L of barn, through cottage yard to road. Turn L past Packhorse Inn and retrace outwards route back to finish at Thornbridge Outdoor Centre.
Hand your control card to finish official.
Well done and we hope you enjoyed the route!!