Middleton Top, Wirksworth, Derbyshire
Date: Sunday, 25th August 2019
Start time: 10:30
Grade: Strenuous
Distance: 9.5 miles
Walk description
The route starts from Arkwrights Mill, passing Willersley Castle on the banks of the River Derwent and through Cromford. We walk through Slinter Wood which climbs gradually, then steeply as we pass the aptly named “Groaning Tor”. The landscape opens up to reveal grand views typical of the White Peak, before we ascend the Middleton Incline, on the route of the High Peak Railway opened in 1830.
After lunch we descend through fields and a quarry to Wirksworth and Bolehill. The ascent to the trig point and onto Black Rock is steep for about half a mile, but well worth the effort for superb views towards Cromford and Matlock Bath. The last 3 miles are easy as we descend the Cromford Incline on the High Peak Trail, to join the Cromford Canal back to the wharf.
For further information about Cromford Mill and the High Peak Railway, please refer to: www.cromfordmills.org.uk and www.pittdixon.go-plus.net/c+hpr/c+hpr.htm
The walk takes us through a landscape of steep sided valleys with ancient woodland, historic monuments, inclines and stone quarries.
This is a walk of 9.5 miles and will take about 5 hours with a lunch stop.
Meeting point and parking
Meeting point: DE4 3RQ : Cromford Wharf Car Park, Mill Road, Cromford, Derbyshire
GPS Coordinates: 53.1097929, -1.552763
Joining Us
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