Strenuous Leader : Distance : 10 miles
As there is no official walks leader for this walk maps and ideas will be discussed with those on the walk and a route will be pulled together on the day.
Moderate Leader: Peter Distance : 5 miles
Although this is a bit light on miles I am confident you! will feel you have done your bit. My plan is the assent of the Heights of Abraham at 325m it is a tough climb but the views are absolutely worthwhile (weather permitting). A walking pole is an essential, for the decent. This was my first time up the Heights I was incredibly happy after I reached the top and glad I found a stick to assist my decent. Happy Rambling
Easy Leader: Jackie Distance: Approx. 4.5 miles
On this walk we will be leaving the coach just before Matlock (town). We will have a half mile riverside walk to reach toilets and a café at Hall Leys Park in Matlock, where we can have a short break (even lunch if the time seems appropriate).
We then follow the east side of the river and shortly climb 350 feet up to High Tor Country Park – parts of the path are quite steep, but we have loads of time and will stop frequently to get our breath and enjoy the views. High Tor is a dramatic hilltop overlooking the valley and with wide views of Riber Castle and the surrounding hills. Then it is downhill all the way into Matlock Bath.
If we are not distracted by the sight of our coach as we pass, we can continue with a walk along a high path across the river from the town followed by a pleasant stroll along the river. A shorter walk than usual but quite hilly.
NOTES ON THE AREA
Matlock itself is a bustling tourist town today. Originally it was a centre for lead and fluorspar mining. It has a castle, Riber Castle, whose grounds are a home for rare breeds including Lynx.
Matlock Bath is just to the south of Matlock. It was originally built at the ‘dead end’ of the road running along the Derwent Valley.
In 1698 springs were discovered and since 1832, when the then Princess Victoria visited, it began to develop as a prosperous society venue attracting people such as John Ruskin, Lord Byron and Josiah Wedgwood. It became a residential and spa town and thrived on tourism. A great amount of development was restricted due to the steepness of the valley, and what development there is took place on only one side of the valley with just footbridges crossing the river. Eventually the road was upgraded and now it forms part of the A6.
The railway came in 1849 bringing in lots of trippers but was closed after Beeching, although trains still run today along the Derwent Valley Line.
Today it is a conservation area and still thrives on tourism. It has stunning scenery and has attractions such as the Heights of Abraham Park complete with cable car, Gulliver’s Kingdom theme park, the Peak District Mining Museum, a museum of photography and an aquarium.
The famous Jubilee Bridge was built in 1897.