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High Peak Junction – Cromford Mill loop from Wirksworth

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

High Peak Junction – Cromford Mill loop from Wirksworth

Moderate

5.0

(5)

hikers

High Peak Junction – Cromford Mill loop from Wirksworth

03:01

10.4km

260m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 27, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Derwent Valley Mills WHS

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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159 m

Millennium Wall at the National Stone Centre

Highlight • Monument

A display of various styles of dry stone walls from around the UK. Sounds exceptionally boring but is actually quite interesting!
Situated within the National Stone Centre which is worth a visit and a wander around (free). The cafe at the Stone Centre is also recommended (especially for scones).

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167 m

Millennium Wall Dry Stone Wall Exhibits

Highlight (Segment) • Monument

The Millenium Wall is a collection of stone walls built by Dry Stone Wall Association teams from Caithness to the Cotswolds - and everywhere in between - that showcases how these add to the unique character of each region according to the local stone available in each area.

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373 m

National Stone Centre

Highlight • Climb

Old limestone quarries that have been opened to explain how the area used to be the shoreline. Interesting details to read and lots of old, overgrown quarries to explore. Some of the cliff faces are used by climbers and there are occasional caves and a lot of industrial heritage.
The Centre is free to visit and includes a cafe which is recommended.
With all the cliff edges, be careful, particularly with children.
The information centre also has a gem panning pond (chargeable) suitable for younger children.

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2.22 km

Sheep Pasture Engine House

Highlight • Historical Site

The Sheep Pasture incline house housed the steam beam engine which used to winch the trucks up the hill from the junction with the Cromford Canal and railway. This section of the railway was completed in 1830, it was the first section on the line from here to Whaley Bridge. The railway was used to transport the minerals and stone from the mines in the Peak District. The railway closed in 1967.

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3.30 km

The Catch Pit on the High Peak Trail

Highlight • Historical Site

If the thought of a runaway wagon racing towards you at speeds of up to 120mph on the downhill doesn't appeal to you - the Catch Pit might seem like a great health & safety solution. Although as some of the wagons were packed full of gunpowder, I'm still not certain that the Catch Pit was the complete solution.

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3.57 km

High Peak Junction

Highlight • Historical Site

High Peak Junction was where the Old Comford and High Peak railway met the Cromford Canal. It is now a great spot to take a break with a shop that sells hot drinks and snacks.

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