We began at Scarthin Books in Cromford, a delightfully quirky shop that feels like a real find. It’s the perfect place to start a slow, meandering walk — you already feel relaxed before you even reach the river.
A footpath climbed the hill from there, taking us through a few playful tunnels and up toward the Heights of Abraham. Some stretches felt tucked away and peaceful, while others opened out to stunning views across the valley, made even more striking by the autumn colours.
The route crosses from one side of the valley to the other. There’s a long flat section, but plenty of variety to keep things interesting. We passed mills and old industrial buildings — little reminders of Peak District heritage that give the walk real character. The kids loved spotting the treetops on the far side of the valley from the top of High Tor.
We finished in Matlock Bath: crossed the river, climbed to High Tor, followed a trail along the hilltops, dropped back down through fields, and wound our way around the mills. It’s a lovely endpoint for a walk that starts in quiet Cromford.
If you enjoy walks that mix nature with a touch of history, you might also like our walk from Monsal Head into Bakewell. Have you explored the Derwent Valley? It’s a wonderfully underrated part of the Peak District.
