High Peak Trail & Middleton Top Visitor Centre

About

The High Peak Trail runs for 17.5 miles from High Peak Junction, near Cromford, to Dowlow, 6 miles south of Buxton. Passing through some of Derbyshire's finest countryside, you’ll discover fascinating heritage along the route. This traffic free trail follows the line of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway, one of the world's first long-distance railways.

Middleton Top Visitor Centre and Cycle Hire near Wirksworth, offers easy access onto the High Peak Trail and amazing views of the surrounding countryside. A venue for all seasons, to walk, cycle and horse ride, the High Peak Trail can be enjoyed by everyone, with an abundance of wildflowers in the summer months. Middleton Top Engine House, with its superb working beam engine provides an interesting glimpse of the past. The Trail can be accessed from Black Rocks, Cromford Wharf and High Peak Junction as well, where parking and facilities are available.

With excellent Cycle Hire at Middleton Top you can enjoy a short ride or a longer more challenging outing through the breathtaking scenery. With connecting routes to choose from, the High Peak Trail joins Tissington Trail at Parsley Hay, running 13 miles south to Ashbourne, or join route 547 to Carsington Water to cycle around the reservoir.

Black Rocks on the High Peak Trail is a magnificent gritstone outcrop, which can be reached from the trail or by a short walk, but steep climb, from the car park rewarding you with far reaching views of the Derwent Valley. As well as an orienteering course, it is a venue for rock climbers and various walks in the area can be accessed from here.

Visit the website to find out more. You can also view the Access and Cycle Derbyshire leaflets, with guidance and advice on making the most of routes around the county.

Images 1,2 & 3 - Ashley Franklin Photography