This walk was a lovely mix of scenery, history and little surprises. We began at Scarthin Books in Cromford, a delightfully quirky shop that puts you in a relaxed mood before you even reach the river.
We followed an AllTrails path up the hill, finding a few fun tunnels on the way to the top near the Heights of Abraham. Some sections felt tucked away and peaceful, while others opened out with wide views of the valley sides. The autumn colours made everything even more striking.
The route crossed the valley from one side to the other. There was a long flat stretch, but enough variety — mills, old industrial buildings and Peak District heritage sites — to keep it interesting. The kids loved spotting the treetops on the far side of the valley from the top of High Tor.
In Matlock Bath we crossed the river and climbed up to High Tor, then followed a trail around the hilltops, dropped back down through fields and finished by walking past the mills. It’s a great end point for a walk that starts in quiet Cromford.
If you enjoy walks that blend nature with a touch of history, the Derwent Valley is a wonderfully underrated part of the Peak District.
