Derwent Valley Heritage Trail

OVERVIEW

The Derwent Valley Heritage Trail follows the passage of the River Derwent as it heads from the Peak District down into Derbyshire.

The walk starts at Ladybower Reservoir (although I started at Edale and walked over via Win Hill - which in my opinion vastly improved the walk), and then heads down the River Derwent passing Chatsworth Park on the way down to Matlock.

From there you can explore Matlock Bath, but for me the real highlight of the trail came with the section along the Cromford Canal - and Cromford Mills are worth exploring along the way.

The trail then heads down to Derby, and on to Derwent Mouth - but the best of the trail comes at it's northern end.

PRACTICALITIES

The trail is easy to access with train stations at Bamford, Hathersage and Grindleford at the northern end. Then there is a gap before you again have train stations at Matlock, Matlock Bath, Cromford, Whatstandwell, Ambergate, Belper, Duffield, Derby and Long Eaton.

I stayed over in Matlock, and Derby also has plentiful accomodation options. There are further accommodation options along the trail with the area being generally popular for tourists. 

USEFUL LINKS

LDWA Page : Derwent Valley Heritage Way - LDWA Long Distance Paths

Official Page : HOME - Derwent Valley Trust

STAGES

Ladybower Reservoir to Matlock (★★★★☆)

I started this walk at Edale and walked over Win Hill to Ladybower Reservoir, which gave more of a feel for the Peak District and for the view across Ladybower Reservoir than merely starting at the reservoir itself. It did make for a longer day, but the walk wouldn't have been as enjoyable without this addition.

As it is from Ladybower Reservoir the route heads out along a cycle track, but soon shifts to following along the edge of the river , passing Leadmill Gindleford and Froggat on the way to Baslow. At Baslow the path heads round the houses, before passing across Chatsworth Park, and past Chatsworth House itself.

From here the route heads on to Rowsley, on to Darley Bridge, and then on to Matlock. This section totaled 27.9 miles, although only 20.6 miles were spent on the Derwent Valley Heritage Trail - with over two thousand feet of ascent, although with that dropping to less than a thousand on the Derwent Valley Heritage Trail itself.

Matlock to Derby (★★★★☆)

From Matlock the route heads over High Tor to Mtlock Bath, where it follows the road round to Cromford.

Here you can explore Cromford Mill, but the onward route of the trail heads down the excellent Cromford Canal  - and sticks with this canal until it comes to an end at Ambergate.

From here the rail crosses over the River Derwent, climbs up the far ridge, and then cuts across the fields to Belper. After passing through Belper, it heads past Duffield to Little Eaton - and passes through Darley Abbey on the way to Derby.

This section totaled 20.8 miles (20.6 miles on the Derwent Valley Heritage Trail ), with less than two thousand feet of ascent.

Derby to Derwent Mouth

No plans to walk...