Cromford & High Peak Railway Walks (Update)

I have updated this web site after two more walks over this old Incline Railway, that is now the High Peak Trail. The walks were during May and June.

The latest walks are between Middleton Top and Hopton, followed by Hopton to Longcliffe. However most sections have had some updates of photos and/or text, including some video links.

This brings me to the futhest point that can be walked in a day without having to find a lodging overnight. The last two walks were quite long ones, each covering over 20 miles return walking in the one day and very enjoyable they were too. Hope you find the update of some interest. The Derby Dales are a very attractive and interesting area.


Cromford & High Peak Railway Walks (Update)

It is looking very peaceful... I cn imagine it has to be very relaxing, going out there...

Hi Derryck,
Thanks for your speedy reply. Yes, I find the area very relaxing and beautiful and enjoy these walks very much, even if they are very long days out. The start of the walk at Whatstandwell station is a 3 hour train run from my home just to start with and of course, the same on return.

As a retired driver I can only imagine that it was a real joy to work on the railway, albeit the short flat section between Sheep Pasture summit and the base of Middleton Bottom would have been quite brief runs. But the countryside must have been a joy no matter what the season.

As you walk the route it is amazing the amount of quarries and mines were involved and linked to the railway. Industrial wise it has a hugh amount of history and working inovations.

Fascinating insight to the past, not so sure about "relaxing", it looks quite energetic to cover it all on foot. All the same, a great day out!

I can understand your thoughts when getting out of town and finding the countryside beautiful and relaxing. Yes, it was quite an effort but you do quite relax when you have planned the outing and know just how long you have and getting back to the station for your train. I started off from Whatstandwell station at 09.25 and got back at 16.25, in good time for the 16.46 train to Derby. Thankfully all trains kept time in both directions and there was no hastle as I had with my visit to York just a couple of weeks before. That was just too long for comfort.

As for the walking! When you are 71 it makes you feel good that you can still manage a good 20 mile round walk. It's quite satisfying.

The interesting thing about the quarries and mines in the Derby Dales is that it is so mixed up with the start of, and the fantastic pace of the industrial age. It was a fantastic period of inovation.

I have updated this web site from a visit to the HIgh peak Trail over the August Bank Holiday. Two new videos have also been added as well as a new page on my visit to the Steeplehouse Narrow Guage Railway.

I also enjoyed a couple of vists to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway at Wirksworth and had a trip over the Ravenstor branch that allowed me to walk up the incline and visit the National Stone Center and parts of the High p[eak TRail in that area.

However, my longest outing was walking the High Peak Trail, starting from my hotel at Wirksworth and up onto the inline at Middleton and walking the full distance to Parsley Hay and back. A round trip of a good 30 miles, whch I covered in just five minutes under eleven hours. The outgoing trip was a bit damp as it rained most pf the time but during my break at Parsley Hay the weather changed and I had a very warm and sunny walk back. It was nice beating my previous 20 odd miles walk over the HIgh Peak.

I have added three new sections to the web site from Longcliffe to Minninglow, Minninglow to Friden and Friden to Parsley Hay. I hope that some ofyou find it of interest.

Cromford & High Peak Railway Walks (Update)

If you just want to go directly to the videos then just click on the links below.

Steeplehouse Narrow Guage Railway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ke-eHhobo0&list=UUx-NAvfLbNITL2915brmGGA&index=1&feature=plcp

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (Includes Ravenstor)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px-V4G2wNac&list=UUx-NAvfLbNITL2915brmGGA&index=3&feature=plc