HIGH PEAK JUNCTION WALK
THE WALK
Outstanding views and constant reminders of the area’s industrial past are all part of this fascinating walk. After a short ascent up High Peak Trail, the walk takes you through woods and along Intake Lane, before climbing up Cromford Moor to Bolehill.
Following a short, steep climb up Barrel Edge, the outstanding view over Wirksworth from the trig point makes the effort worthwhile. Soon you arrive at Black Rocks, which has been a tourist destination for centuries, as graffiti chiselled into the rockface testifies. The coming of the railways to Matlock and Wirksworth made it easier for people to visit the rocks; some came to explore and admire the fantastic views, others to climb the rocks. There is both an easy and a challenging route to get to the top.
The final stage of the walk takes you down High Peak Trail, passing Sheep Pasture Engine House on the way.
LOOK OUT FOR
Route Point 1 – At the bottom end of the High Peak Trail, the catch pit’s job was to stop runaway waggons before they reached the High Peak Junction and Cromford Canal. Built in 1888 following an accident in which wagons ran out of control, jumped the railway and the canal. The last accident happened in the 1950s, and the wreckage of which remains.
Point 2 – Initially, the High Peak Trail was a railway line, considered an engineering masterpiece, and it has attracted the interest of railway enthusiasts worldwide. The line linked High Peak Junction at 277 feet above sea level with Whaley Bridge at 570 feet. In the middle, it rose to over 1,000 feet at Ladmanlow. After falling out of use, it was converted to a trail for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders.
Point 9 – Bolehill has strong lead mining connections. It is one of a small number of mining villages to spring up during the 18th and 19th centuries. Bage Mine (SSSI) is well known to most geologists, as it is the only British source of Cromfordite and Matlockite, which are extremely rare secondary lead minerals.
Point 10 – Black Rocks is a weathered outcrop of Ashover grit, which has been a tourist destination for centuries, as graffiti chiselled into the rock testifies. The coming of the railways to Matlock and Wirksworth made it easier for people to visit the rocks; some came to explore and admire the fantastic views, others to climb the rocks. There is a car park nearby and a kiosk serving refreshments, which is usually open at weekends and during the high season.
Point 11 – Willersley Castle is a late 18th-century mansion, originally named Willersley Hall, and it is a Grade II* listed building. Built for the occupation of Sir Richard Arkwright, but he died before its completion.
Point 12 – Sheep Pasture Engine House is the first engine house when starting from High Peak Junction. Each incline on the Cromford and High Peak Railway line was equipped with a stationary steam engine to haul and lower the wagons. Initially, horses did the work on the flatter sections, but later, steam power took over.
WALK DETAILS
Length: 4.25miles.
Start: High Peak Junction Car Park.
Location: Turn off A6 at Cromford for Arkwright’s Mill and follow the road around heading for Lea, turning right into the car park before reaching a left-hand bend.
Terrain: There are some quite steep ascents and descents, but nothing too strenuous. There are some outstanding views to admire.
THE ROUTE
1. Cross the bridge from the car park to arrive at High Peak Junction Workshops. Walk past the old railway buildings and up the High Peak Trail past the ‘catch pit.’
2. Follow the High Peak Trail for about half a mile, and then turn to the left where you see a footpath signed for Alderwasley. You will need to keep a sharp lookout for this sign.
3. Almost immediately, the path bends to the left to a ‘T’ junction of tracks. Here you turn right, with the bridge on the High Peak Trail you previously crossed now directly behind you.
4. In a short distance where the track divides, go to the right, and walk along the edge of a wood for a short distance. Pass through a stile and turn left down Intake Lane.
5. After approximately half a mile at a footpath intersection, with a corrugated animal shed on your left, cross a stile on the opposite side of the lane. It is the first footpath leading off to the right that you come to on this section of the walk.
6. Walk up two fields, keeping close to the wall on the left, then follow a short-fenced path along the bottom of a third field. Continue straight on for 25 yards across the top of a field to go through a stile at another footpath intersection.
7. Go up a grassy track in the next field, avoiding the path that leads off to the left. Head towards a farm field gate that you can see in the distance. Pass through a gap by the gate and walk along the grassy track to go through a stile gate into another field.
8. Keeping close to the wall on your left, walk to a gate, and after that continue to maintain the same direction, along a clear path beside gorse bushes. Turn left along a farm track, soon passing Wigwellnook Farm. Follow the farm access road to Oakerthorpe Road, where you turn right.
9. Walk down the road past the Bolehill road sign and after a short distance, cross a stile on your right by Lantern Cottage. Take the stepped path up towards Barrel Edge, following the way markers to enter the wood.
10. Bear to the left along the main path, avoid the path that leads straight on through the wood. Keep close to the front of the wood to reach the trig point where the views over Wirksworth and the surrounding area are outstanding. Continue along the main path as it curves gently around to the left of Black Rocks.
11. The path soon descends to an information board by the High Peak Trail and a car park. Turn to the right along the High Peak Trail from where you get stunning views over Willersley Castle and Cromford.
12. Where the trail starts to descend quite steeply, you pass Pastures Pasture Engine House. Continue down the trail to High Peak Junction and the starting point of the walk.
HIGH PEAK JUNCTION
