Walks for Lockdown

Whilst many activities have been off limits, we are still able to get out and walk and it has been very noticeable how many more people of all ages are now doing so. This page is an attempt to give some ideas for walks around Matlock and the surrounding area. The table contains routes to suit varying abilities. Many more such walks are available covering Derbyshire and the Peak District and will be gradually added. Anyone is welcome to use them, but we hope that you will be encouraged to join MAU3A walking group.

MAU3A members / site users are invited to submit their own walks, either as a Word document including turn-by-turn descriptions, or as a GPX file. Descriptions can include photos. Full acknowledgement will be given. Please contact us by e-mail

Maps Showing Location of Walks

Walks North of Matlock

Walks South of Matlock

Walks Table

Key: Please hover your mouse over  highlighted text  for more information

Ref. No./ OS Map	Route	Parking / Start PointStart pointStart point is given in two formats. The first is the usual OS eastings and northings. The second is the What 3 Words (w3w) format now being used by emergency services and is available on a smartphone or a PC.  OS & w3w format	Length (miles/km)	Grade of WalksGrading of WalksGrading of walks as easy (E), moderate (M) or strenuous (S) is inevitably subjective. Easy is loosely defined as generally even underfoot and requiring little climbing. Strenuous would involve prolonged or steep ascents and descents or very rough terrain (none included here)  (E/M/S) Climb (m / ft)	Print Map  (Folding Leaflet)Print LeafletWhen you click on the link in this column, the one-page basic walk details will be downloaded as a PDF that you can print. This is not enough - you definitely need a map	Print Map  (Full Page)Print Full PageWhen you click on the link in this column, all available details of the walk will be downloaded as a PDF that you can print, including a full page map. Unfortunately it is not possible to print off the Ordnance Survey map but the format used should show similar features. The OS map can be inspected on screen - next column. You may not wish to print all pages of the PDF. You are still advised to take an OS map. A tick ✔ in this column indicates that the printout includes full turn-by-turn directions. Unfortunately the QR code shown in the printout is only accessible to logged in members of Outdoor Active.	Description	Screen Map or 3D ViewScreen Map or 3D ViewA map, together with a height profile of the walk, will open in a new Window. Use the + or - signs to zoom in or out. To read full description of walk, please click on the cross (X) in top right of map. If you have Google Earth installed on your computer, you can see the route in 3D. To do this, simply click on KML. Then click on Download. Double click on the downloaded file and the 3D view should open automatically. Google Earth will even give you a video flyover of the route	Aerial ViewAerial ViewAgain, please use the + or - signs to zoom in or out. Places of interest in the area are also displayed.	Download GPX RouteDownload GPX RoutePlease click on the link in this column to download the route as a GPX file, a standard file format for GPS walking devices such as Garmin and Magellan, etc or for Smartphone apps like Viewranger. For instructions on uploading the GPX file to your GPS device or Smartphone and how to follow the route, please see the relevant instructions. Walking with a GPS app drains the phone battery much quicker than normal use, so it should be fully charged before you start.
D221 OS24 Weather	Matlock Bridge, Town Head, Heights of Abraham	Matlock Town Car Parks OS SK 297602 ///honeybees.period.nimbly	3.8 / 6.0	M 663 /202	D221L	D221F ✔	DetailsDetailsOutward climb along Limestone Way to top of Bonsall, SE to Ember Farm, NE to Heights of Abraham and Shining Cliff, to Matlock Bridge	Map D221	Aerial D221	GPX D221
D222 OS24 Weather	Alport - Over Haddon - Lower Lathkill Valley	Alport Layby OS SK 22064 ///spearhead.covertly.song or Over Haddon pay CP OS SK 202664 ///prune.soap.dupe	4.6 / 7.3	M 365 / 111	D222L	D222F ✔	DetailsDetailsVaried route with good views. Can be muddy in places. Choice of start points. Either layby in Alport at foot of hill into Youlgreave or in the pay car park in Over Haddon. If starting in Alport, then the pub at Over Haddon is a good stopping off point	Map D222	Aerial D222	GPX D222
D223 OS24 Weather	River Derwent Loop from Darley Bridge	Layby at Darley Bridge. OS SK 271620 ///mystified.began.wolves If full then car park next to cricket ground OS SK 270624 ///shortens.retrain.planet	3.4 / 5.0	E 52 / 16	D223L	D223F	DetailsDetailsEasy level route, with many variations and extensions possible. Beginning of return route from Matlock spoiled by derelict industrial site alongside but no alternative river crossing available. Crossing is via rail bridge which is 'closed'. No problem whatever (H&S excess!!)	Map D223	Not available	GPX D223
D224A OS24 Weather	Brassington – Ballidon – Bradbourne circuit.	Brassington Car Park OS SK 234547 ///uncle.bats.meal	6.1 / 9.8	M 550 / 168	D224AL	D224AF ✔	DetailsDetailsA walk through some of the less visited limestone country. Interesting villages; Brassington has many remains of lead mining; Ballidon has an unusual old church and Bradbourne is a 'doubly thankful' village. From Bradbourne, there is an easy quiet roadwalk back to Brassington. For an attractive extension see D224B	Map D224A	Aerial D224A	GPX D224A
D224B OS24 Weather	As D224A above but with extension around Haven Hill	Brassington Car Park OS SK 234547 ///uncle.bats.meal	7.7 / 12.3	M c. 850 / 260	D224BL	D224BF ✔	DetailsDetailsA walk through some of the less visited limestone country. Interesting villages; Brassington has many remains of lead mining; Ballidon has an unusual old church and Bradbourne is a 'doubly thankful' village. From Bradbourne, the walk goes around Haven Hill before rejoining the route of D224A	Map D224B	Aerial D224B	GPX D224B
D225A OS24 Weather	Ashford in the Water - Monsal Head -Monsal Trail	Ashford Village CP & PC (£2 donation) OS SK 194697 ///upon.momentous.grills	3.9 / 6.2	M 430 / 131	D225AL	D225AF ✔	DetailsDetailsMonsal Head, descent to viaduct, through tunnel along Monsal Trail and then valley walk back to Ashford	Map D225A	Aerial D225A	GPX D225A
D225B OS24 Weather	Ashford in the Water - Monsal Head -Monsal Dale	Ashford Village CP & PC (£2 donation) OS SK 194697 ///upon.momentous.grills	6.5 / 10.4	M 758 / 231	D225BL	D225BF ✔	DetailsDetailsgradually along a farm track (path can be muddy in places after rain). Excellent views at Monsal Head with possible refreshment stop. Descends and crosses the viaduct on the Monsal Trail before turning left and descending to the River Wye. Follows riverside path west and then south to the A6. Enters Deep Dale Nature Reserve and climbs before turning east to follow a woodland path back to Ashford in the Water	Map D225B	Aerial D225B	GPX D225B
D226 OS24 Weather	High Peak Junction - Intake Lane - Cromford Canal	High Peak Junction CP. (£3 for 4 hours), Lea Rd, DE4 5AE SK 315561 ///notices.draw.segmented NB No access from A6 at present due to long term roadworks. Approach from Smedley's Mill end.	5.5 / 8.8	M 633 / 193	D226L	D226F ✔	DetailsDetailsRoute climbs up the incline from High Peak Junction to reach the point where Intake Lane crosses. It turns sharp left here and follows Intake Lane all the way to the B5035 then on to Crabtree Wood and Watergate Farm. It returns via Hankin Farm to the bridge at Whatstandwell and then follows Cromford Canal (Derwent Valley Heritage Way) back to High Peak Junction.	Map D226	Aerial D226	GPX D226
D227 OS24 Weather	Lathkill Valley from the south	Moor Lane Car Park, Moor Lane, Youlgreave, DE45 1LU SK 194644 ////funded.custodial.poodle or layby on Back Lane SK 192644	5.4 / 8.6	M 453 / 138	D227L	D227F ✔	DetailsDetailsEasy walk across fields to Cales Dale, with great view of Lathkill Dale, then tricky descent down limestone steps to valley floor. Across bridge into main Lathkill Valley. Eastwards along beautiful valley. Lots of interest on the way. Visit Bateman's house and Mandale Mine. Cross river below Over Haddon and return via Meadow Place Grange.	Map D227	Aerial D227	GPX D227
D228 OS24 Weather	Riber - Hearthstone - Lea circuit	Limited parking at Riber SK 309590 ///event.native.ozone	3.4 / 5.0	M 489 / 149	D228L	D228F ✔	DetailsDetailsBest done in anti-clockwise direction. Otherwise it is a hard climb westwards from Lea. Limited parking space at Riber. Lea Gardens and Jug & Glass pub in Lea are close to route. Some walking on quiet roads but most is on paths.	Map D228	Aerial D228	GPX D228
D229 OS24 Weather	Chatsworth circuit	Beeley Moor roadside SK 287680 ///besotted.popping.along Alternatives are Beeley church (SK 265676) or Calton Lees CP (SK 259685)	6.7 / 10.7	M 630 / 192	D229L	D229F ✔	DetailsDetailsOver Beeley Moor giving views of the Chatsworth estate, then down from the Hunting Tower, past the house and over Chatsworth entrance bridge. Follows river to Paine's bridge then across to Beeley village and up through woods to start point.	Map D229	Aerial D229	GPX D229
D230 OS24 Weather	High Peak Trail - Intake Lane - Crabtree Wood - Wigwell Grange - Little Bolehill	Steeple Grange, Old Porter Lane (off Porter Lane - B5035) OS24 SK 288555 ///latches.inserted.roadshow	5.3 / 8.5	M 600 / 183	D230L	D230F ✔	DetailsDetailsTakes in various sites of industrial historic interest. Good views over Cromford valley. If a longer walk is required, it can be combined with D228	Map D230	Aerial D230	GPX D230
D231 OS24 Weather	High Peak Trail - Cromford Canal - Wirksworth Moor - Steeple Grange	Steeple Grange, Old Porter Lane (off Porter Lane - B5035) OS24 SK 288555 ///latches.inserted.roadshow	7.6 / 12.2	M 725 / 221	D231L	D231F ✔	DetailsDetailsA more challenging route. The first half is easy with lots of points of interest (mining, rail and canal history). From Whatstandwell Bridge the route is very different and climbs through fields and woods to return to the start through Little Bolehill.	Map D231	Aerial D231	GPX D231
D232 OS24 Weather	Carsington Water - Callow - Kirk Ireton	Millfields pay car park at southern end of Carsington Water (Big Lane, Carsington Water DE6 3JL; SK 250499; w3w: ///herb.brimmed.nest; Access is from west bank of Carsington Water, not Kirk Ireton) £3 for 2 hrs or £5 all day). Limited roadside car parking in Kirk Ireton.	6.3 / 10.1 6.8 miles from Millfields CP	M 387 / 118	D232L	D232F	DetailsDetailsThe route follows the east bank of Carsington Water with good views and opportunities to observe the birdlife. This part can be quite busy as it is shared with cyclists. The return route from the north end of the lake is much quieter but also offers good views across the valleys to the east, finishing at the attractive village of Kirk Ireton.	Map D232	Aerial D232	GPX D232
D233 OS24 Weather	Winster - Brightgate - Upper Town - Horse Dale	Winster top car park near Miners Standard pub, DE4 2DR (SK 238602; w3w: ///instead.carver.dries)	6.4 / 10.3	M 528 / 161	D233L	D233F	DetailsDetailsUses part of the Limestone Way to link the interesting villages of Winster and Bonsall (Uppertown), both of which were linked with lead mining. The return leg includes the less visited Horse Dale. Two routes suggested depending upon ground conditions.	Map D233	Aerial D233	GPX D233

How to Use

All walks have been tested but please note that you follow them at your own risk and it is strongly recommended that you take an Ordnance Survey map with you rather than relying on a printed map from this site or your GPS device. You should also take all the normal precautions for walks as set out on these pages, especially if you intend to walk the route on your own. Please see Health & Safety section of the Walking Group page

• To inspect a route before you decide whether or not to print it, please click on the relevant row in the “Link” column. Using the + and – buttons, you can zoom in and out. The table includes the length of the walk and the amount of climbing required. Please read all notes before attempting a walk to decide whether it is right for you. To get back to full route details, please click on the cross (X) in top right of map
• To print off a route, please select either the leaflet (L) format or full page (F) printout column for that particular walk and click.
• To see an aerial view of the terrain, please click on the “Aerial View” column
• If you have a GPS walking device (such as Garmin or Magellan) or a walking app on your smartphone (such as Outdoor Active or Viewranger), you can click on the GPX column and download the navigation route. Be aware that walking with a GPS device or app drains the battery much quicker than normal use, so it should be fully charged before you start.

If you do not have a smartphone app or GPS device, you can still download and print simple route maps to be used in conjunction with an OS Map.

N.B. Not all walks listed contain point by point directions, points of interest, local history and flora, photos en route, etc. Those with full details have a tick (✔).

 AcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsRoutes can be created in two ways. They can be downloaded from a GPS device or smartphone after you actually walk a route or they can be created from a digital map. Both methods have been used for these routes. The following software has been used:
*Outdoor Active / Viewranger (both to create and download routes)
*What3Words
*Google Maps (to create aerial views)
*GPS Visualiser (to create overview maps of the walks)