Plan your walk |
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DISTANCE: 4½ miles (7.2km) TIME: 2¼ hours START/END: SK298602 Matlock TERRAIN: Easy MAPS: |
From Matlock, follow the riverside path through Hall Leys Park. Go under the railway bridge as far as a footbridge. Do not cross, but turn left up a narrow lane. ½ mile (800m).
Turn right through a gate into the grounds of High Tor. A grassy path leads to the summit.
Viewpoint. The River Derwent has carved a narrow gorge at the foot of the sheer limestone cliff of High Tor. On the opposite side of the valley, the wooded slopes of the Heights of Abraham lead to Masson Hill. Turn about and allow your eyes to follow the downward slope of High Tor. The hill which rises beyond is composed of gritstone lying on top of the limestone of High Tor. This is Riber Hill, dominated by a curious folly known as Riber Castle. Built in the mid 1800s by John Smedley as a hydropathic hotel, it never flourished, mainly because there was a poor water supply and it fell into disuse in the 1940s. It later became a wildlife park which subsequently closed in 2000.
The summit of High Tor has a series of deep roofless caverns, the remains of ancient open cast lead mines.
There are at least three alternative paths from High Tor, including one which follows a narrow ledge across the upper face.
Take the cable car to the Heights of Abraham. Note that the cable car is closed Nov-Feb. Alternatively, follow the station approach to cross the A6 and climb Holme Road to Upperwood Road. Follow Upperwood Road as far as the lower entrance to the woodlands. Continue for 110yds (100m) and follow a steep path on the right up the hillside.
If following the alternative route, Matlock Bath’s ‘Swiss style’ station is very much in keeping with the alpine flavour of this walk.
Follow the track for about 40yds (37m) beyond the upper cable car station and turn left along a level woodland path at the boundary of the gardens. ½ mile (800m).
The Heights of Abraham. This is a convenient refreshment stop. The name commemorates General Wolfe’s battle with the French in 1759 to gain control of Canada. The Great Rutland and Masson caverns are nearby. Here you can experience the sights and sounds of a working Derbyshire lead mine in the 17th century. The Victoria Tower is a few yards from the upper cable station and was built as part of a 19th century ‘job creation scheme’. The tower is a good vantage point for viewing the surrounding scenery.
At a complex track junction by Ember Farm, bear right towards the farm, then left away from it, along the walled access lane and walk down to Bonsall village. ½ mile (800m).
Turn right at the church and follow the road as far as the market cross. The seventeenth century Kings Head pub is to its left.
The pillar of the market cross is mounted on a steep conical plinth which has 10 steps on its uphill side and 13 downhill.
Follow the walled lane up a steep hill, to the right of the cross. Keep left at the end of the surfaced section to walk along a tree-shaded path.
View of Bonsall village.
Turn right at a T junction. Go through a field gate to follow a hedge and trees.
Beside the path junction in front of thegate go through a gap in the right hand hedge and wall. Cross a small field keeping to the right of a stone barn. ¼ mile (400m).
Go through a squeezer stile into the narrow field. 200yds (180m).
Cross the gravel lane and pass through the gap in the wall on its opposite side. Bear half right and go through a kissing gate then go down the grassy hillside on a stoney path. Bear right across the access track and left over a stile. ¼ mile (400m).
Keeping to the right of a boundary hedge, walk downhill through two fields towards the left hand side of Masson Lees Farm.
Cross the lane and enter the lower field and over a stile. Follow the hedge and cross field boundaries by stone and wooden stiles. ½ mile (800m).
Go through a stile at the bottom of the steep field. Climb down the steps at the side of the large house and join the road into Matlock.