This walk blended lovely scenery, local history and a few pleasant surprises. We began at Scarthin Books in Cromford, a quirky little shop that feels like a real find — a calm place to start a slow, meandering stroll before reaching the river.
We followed a waymarked path that climbed the hill, passing through a couple of fun tunnels, up toward the Heights of Abraham. Some stretches felt tucked away and peaceful, while others opened out with wide views over the valley. The autumn colours made the whole route even more striking.
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. We passed old mills and industrial buildings — reminders of the Peak District’s past — which gave the walk a sense of purpose as well as beauty. The kids loved spotting the treetops on the far side of the valley from the top of High Tor.
Arriving in Matlock Bath, we crossed the river and climbed to High Tor, then followed a trail along the hilltops, dropped back down through fields and finished by walking around the mills. It’s a brilliant end point for a walk that starts in quiet Cromford.
If you enjoy walks that mix nature with a touch of history, the Derwent Valley is well worth exploring — it’s an underrated part of the Peak District.
