This walk offered a lovely mix of scenery, history, and small surprises. We started at Scarthin Books in Cromford, a quirky bookshop that feels like a hidden gem. It’s the perfect starting point for a relaxed, meandering stroll because you’re already in a calm frame of mind before you reach the river.
We followed an all-trails path that climbs up the hill, even passing some playful tunnels, toward the crest where the Heights of Abraham sits. Some stretches felt peaceful and tucked away, while others opened up to beautiful views of the valley sides. The autumn colours made it even more spectacular.
The route runs from one side of the valley to the other, with a long flat stretch but plenty of variety to keep things interesting. We passed mills, old industrial buildings and pieces of Peak District heritage that give the walk a sense of purpose as well as beauty. The kids loved spotting the tree tops on the far side of the valley from the top of High Tor.
In Matlock Bath we crossed the river, climbed up to High Tor, then followed a trail around the hilltops, back down through fields and ended up circling the mills. It makes a brilliant end point for a walk that begins 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 such an underrated part of the Peak District.
