Wednesday 13th December 2006

It finally stopped raining so I escaped for a quick walk near to home where I knew I wasn't likely to encounter flooded paths or very boggy terrain. This walk is along good paths following the Cromford Canal and then picking up the High Peak Trail, whilst the scenery isn't the best the Peak District has to offer the frequent reminders of the areas industrial heritage make it an interesting walk.

Start: High Peak Junction  car park (SK 3146 5608)

Route: High Peak Junction - Cromford  Wharf - Black Rocks - High Peak Junction               

Distance: 3.75 miles    Ascent: 228 metres     Time Taken: 1 hour 50 minutes   

Weather: Dull and overcast..

Pub visited: None        Ale Drunk: None

The very full River Derwent.

High Peak Junction, the point where Cromford Canal and the High Peak Railway met.

High Peak Junction. The High Peak Trail follows the route of the old railway line under the tunnel.

Cromford Canal which is now a nature reserve.

Cromford Canal.

Cromford Wharf at the end of the Cromford Canal.

Black Rocks on the High Peak Trail.

Riber Castle.

The distinctive cream building is Willersley Castle which was built in 1792 for Richard Arkwright
 although he died before it was completed. The bright orange building is Masson Mill one
 of the first mills built by Arkwright in 1783.

Looking across towards Matlock from the High Peak Trail. The distinctive hill in the middle is High Tor in Matlock Bath.

A wooden statue recalling the original use of the High Peak Trail as a railway line.

The winding tower at Sheep Pasture which was used to pull the trains up the 1 in 8 hill from High Peak Junction.

Looking back up the hill on the High Peak Trail.

Crich Stand, the memorial to the Worcester & Sherwood Foresters regiment, can be
 seen on the horizon from the High Peak Trail.