High Peak Trail
The High Peak Trail is a trail 17 miles long through the Peak District of Derbyshire, enjoyed by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. It is a “rail trail”, which follows the trackbed of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway.
The trailheads are:
History
The Cromford and High Peak Railway was completed in 1831 to carry minerals and goods between the Cromford Canal wharf at High Peak Junction and the Peak Forest Canal at Whaley Bridge. Closure of the line occurred during the ‘Beeching Axe’: the first section of the line, the Middleton Incline, closed in 1963 and the rest of the line was closed in 1967.
In 1971 the Peak Park Planning Board and the highways authority bought the largest part of the trackbed and, in partnership with the Countryside Commission, adapted it for its current leisure use. The trail has a crushed limestone surface which makes it ideal for all users, including wheelchair use, assisted by level access onto the trail at various points along its route.
The High Peak Trail is now a national route of the National Cycle Network.
Along the trail
The elevated nature of the trail (the highest part of the line is at Ladmanlow, at a height of 1,266 feet) affords many splendid views across the countryside. However, these higher sections can also be very exposed in poor weather. The original railway incorporated a number of inclines at its northern and southern ends, and whilst much of the trail is fairly level, these sections are naturally steeper.
At Parsley Hay, about five miles southwest of Bakewell, the High Peak Trail is joined by the 13-mile Tissington Trail, another route of the National Cycle Network, which was formerly the railway branch line to Ashbourne.
The High Peak Trail (and part of the Tissington Trail) are also designated part of the Pennine Bridleway, a 130-miles leisure route which starts at Middleton Top, near Cromford, and includes 73 miles through Derbyshire to the South Pennines. The Trail also forms part of the Midshires Way, a long-distance footpath and bridleway which runs for 225 miles through Midlands from Bledlow (Buckinghamshire) to Stockport (Cheshire).
Access and facilities on the trail
- At Hurdlow, at the northern end of the trail, there is parking and level access onto the trail. Picnic tables are provided.
- At Parsley Hay, where the trail is joined by the Tissington Trail, there is direct access from the car park to the trail. Facilities include toilets, a picnic site, visitor information, and cycle hire.
- At Friden (SK172607) is a car park giving level access onto the trail, and a picnic table.
- At Minninglow (SK194581) is a car park and picnic site, with level access onto the trail.
- At Middleton Top there is a visitor centre, with car park and toilets. Cycles can also be hired here.
- At Black Rocks is a car park, toilets, and shop for light refreshments.
- At High Peak Junction there is a Visitor Centre and shop. Light refreshments can be purchased and there are picnic tables outside. Lea Road car park, over the river, is accessible by footbridge.
- Nearby is the National Stone Centre, Wirksworth.
See also
Outside links
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