This walk was a lovely mix of scenery, history and little surprises. We began at Scarthin Books in Cromford, a quirky shop that sets a relaxed tone for a slow, meandering walk. From there we followed an AllTrails path up the hill, discovering a few fun tunnels on the way to the top near the Heights of Abraham. Some stretches felt peaceful and tucked away, while others opened up with wide views of the valley sides, made even more striking by the autumn colours.
The route crosses from one side of the valley to the other. There’s a fairly long flat section, but plenty of variety to keep it interesting: mills, old industrial buildings and bits of Peak District heritage that give the walk both purpose and charm. The kids loved spotting the tops of the trees on the far bank when we reached High Tor.
When we arrived 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 around the mills. It’s a great finish to a walk that begins in quiet Cromford. If you like walks that blend nature with a touch of history, you might also enjoy the route from Monsal Head into Bakewell. The Derwent Valley is a pleasantly underrated part of the Peak District.
