This walk was a delightful mix of scenery, history and small surprises. We began at Scarthin Books in Cromford, a quirky little shop that feels like a real find. It’s a lovely place to start a slow, meandering walk — you already feel relaxed before you reach the river.
We followed a 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 it even more special.
The route crosses the valley from one side to the other. There’s a fairly long flat stretch, but the variety keeps it interesting. You pass old mills, industrial buildings and other pieces of Peak District heritage that give the walk both purpose and beauty. The kids loved spotting the treetops on the far side of the valley when we reached the top of High Tor.
Arriving in Matlock Bath, we crossed the river, climbed up to High Tor, followed a trail around the hilltops, dropped back down through fields and finished by walking around the mills. Matlock Bath makes a brilliant end point for a walk that begins in quiet Cromford.
If you enjoy walks that combine nature with a touch of history, you might also like our route from Monsal Head into Bakewell. The Derwent Valley is a wonderfully underrated part of the Peak District.
