Chee Dale Stepping Stones Walk with Kids: A Family Adventure in the Peak District

Saturday 9th August 2025.

In the words of our 9-year-old:

this walk is like a proper adventure!

We were up at 4am this morning to drop our eldest off with his scout group, who were catching a 5am bus for nine days in Guernsey! The whole troop has worked hard fundraising all year, and now it was finally time for their big reward. After waving him off at 5.30, we figured we might as well make the most of the early start and head somewhere we wouldn’t normally get to without a crack-of-dawn wake-up call – Chee Dale!

It’s almost two years to the month since we first (and last) walked Chee Dale. C’s best friend – whose family moved abroad last year – introduced us to it, and it’s a walk that really stuck with us. We’d all been keen to return, especially C. So with big brother off on his own adventure, we set out for the Peak District so C could have one of his own.

The car park at Millers Dale was thankfully open when we rolled in around 7am, greeted by an almost completely empty lot. Dad popped a day ticket on Vangelina – better safe than sorry, since we had no idea how long we’d be out. It had been two years since our last visit, and we’d completely forgotten how far the walk was or how long it might take…

When we arrived, after a week of warm weather, it was surprisingly bitterly cold. I’ve never been more grateful for my tendency to overpack – out came the windproof jackets and woolly hats. Yes, in August. 😅

We set off from the old station and followed the main path before turning left at the Millers Dale sign. A short set of steps took us down onto the trail that runs alongside the river.

We love a good river walk – and since there aren’t nearly enough of them close to home, we made the most of this one, stopping to watch the wildlife and listen to the babbling and splashing.

Despite the early hour we bumped into a few people along the way, mostly dog walkers, but one or two more serious walkers and even a couple of people perched up out the way in tents!

About a mile in, the sun finally decided to show up. We soon warmed up, peeling off coats and hats as we went. We passed the little spot where we’d previously had a picnic with friends – this time we just stopped long enough to ditch the winter layers and dig out a quick breakfast bar.

From here the gentle amble beside the river becomes a little more treacherous, as the wall becomes less footpath and more of a scramble. The limestone rocks are incredibly slippery too, even when dry. It was here, on our last visit, that I lost faith in my walking boots grip, and I entered the area much more gingerly this time, despite it being much drier. Of course this was the part that C absolutely loved (mum’s less so, as I nervously watch him scrambling on slippery rocks beside a river 😅)

But we made it through, and enjoyed a little scamper across more wooden bridges before another steep scramble.

Finally we are on the other side of the slippery rocks and I look back at the steep sides we’re now walking through. Last time we’d watched as some rock climbers made their way up here, but it’s obviously far too early for that today.

We follow a fun boardwalk for a short while, past this little hollow, which C investigates and informs me that it ‘goes alllll the way back!’ 😅

A final but easy scramble comes up ahead and then we’re walking beside more tall sides, this time they’re leaning over precariously and I’ll be honest, I’m a little nervous as I notice lots of debris that’s clearly fallen…

Then around the corner, the part C has been waiting for! The stepping stones! Last time the water was lapping right at the top, but after such a dry summer, they looked more like edging stones than stepping stones. It doesn’t take away from the fun though, and C rushes off to be the first across.

On the other side we paused to watch the water for a while. Last time we’d been here the boys had a paddle, but this morning it was absolutely freezing. C bravely dipped his hands in, then quickly declared it was far too cold to take his shoes off and put his feet in 😂. Instead, he settled for a smiley photo with Dad on the bridge.

Next came a bit of a climb, where we passed another couple of walkers before popping out onto the Monsal Trail – the old railway line. One day we’d love to cycle the whole thing, but it’s the sort of adventure we’d like to save for when S is with us too. For now, we headed into the tunnel, soaking up the silence (and the welcome cool air) as we strolled through the echoey darkness.

On the other side of the tunnel we came out onto a huge bridge – I’m pretty sure it’s the one we’ve walked under earlier in the walk, and it’s where abseilers usually dangle from the side. No one around this early, of course, but we still had a good peer over the edge just to check.

I’ve no idea what the entire Monsal Trail is like, but this section is absolutely packed with history. From the old tunnels and bridges to the lime kiln – which you can actually go inside of! We’d explored it on our last visit, but of course C insisted we pop back in today too.

And before we know it, we’re arriving back at the old station and carpark. It’s still too early for the cafe – we’re all a little shocked at how quickly we walked it – so we hop into the van and tuck into the packed lunch I’d put together. It’s fun being able to use the van now on our adventures.

It really was a lovely walk. Having been before we already knew that, but getting here early made it extra special – so peaceful compared to our last visit, when the first half of the trail was heaving with people. It’s short enough to manage with children but still has enough scrambles and surprises to feel like a proper adventure.

Good to Know

Total Distance: 2.7miles

Car Parking: Pay-and-display car park at Millers Dale Station (plenty of spaces when we arrived early). From there, the path leads straight onto the trail. £6 all day – lesser options available.

Toilets: Public toilets are available at Millers Dale Station car park.

Accessibility: Not suitable for pushchairs – there are steps, narrow paths, scrambles, and the stepping stones themselves. Best for confident walkers.

Café/Picnic Spots: The Station Café at Millers Dale is perfect for a post-walk treat. There are also several lovely riverside spots for a picnic if you’d rather bring your own.

Terrain: A mix of riverside paths, stone steps, woodland tracks, and rocky scrambles. Some areas can be muddy or slippery, especially around the stepping stones and after rain.

Family-Friendly Tips: Children love the stepping stones and exploring the lime kiln! Make sure to bring snacks – ours powered up with breakfast bars halfway. Spare socks and a towel might come in handy if little feet do end up in the river.

Points of Interest: The iconic stepping stones, Millers Dale Viaduct, old railway tunnels, the historic lime kiln, and plenty of wildlife along the river.

Safety Information: The stepping stones can be underwater or very slippery depending on the season – take care and hold little hands if needed. Parts of the path are uneven with short, slippery, scrambles.

We loved exploring Chee Dale – but I bet we missed a few hidden gems! What’s your favourite part of the walk? Share it below so we can look out for it next time.