High Peak Trail — Attraction in Derbyshire Dales

We approached this trail from the east side of the River Derwent via the metal footbridge. The improbably straight cut rises at about eight degrees for roughly a mile, with glimpses of Black Rocks above on the left.

The relief at creating the hill is palpable, and is greeted by one of the most wonderful views in the area, looking across the river valley to Willersley Castle, Cromford Mills and much more.

The respite of the flat section and view is quickly quashed by the second rise, equally brutal in gradient, but not quite as long. It ends at Middleton Top Visitor Centre, with its fabulous winch station and very airy southern views. I’m sure that many walkers and particularly cyclists would choose to start and finish at this point, without the climb.

From here the cycle path is a totally different beast, with recorded gradients such as 1:1,660 it has some magnificent sweeping viaducts over rolling high farmland.

After about 15 miles, the path merged with the Tissington Trail, at Parsley Hay, which intersects the High Peak heading north south.

At this point we chose...

The high peak trail is a beautiful path which goes from Cromford all the way up to Parsley Hay near Buxton. You get to see on this trail things you could never see by road. The trees, views, nature, animals, flowers, is all specular. There are so huge hills on this path so not so easy for the not so fit. As beginners we started at parsley hay and came down for our first time, its a very...

We have been walking along the High Peak trail for more than 40yrs. It is a fantastic facility in the heart of the Peak District. Last week we walked from Minninglow car park over the impressive embankment and then up to the tumulus at Manningford. From here we walked down to the ancient site at Royston Grange. A...