Walks from Matlock

Nine Ladies is a Bronze Age stone circle constructed between 3300-900 BCE; legend associates stones with women punished for Sunday dancing.

Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).

Great views over Matlock and Darley Dale. Riverside footpath, unsurfaced paths, farm tracks, tarmac lane, stone and wooden stiles, footbridge and railway crossing and paved path.

Warnings: Take care for traffic at the road crossing and for trains at the railway crossing; the footbridge can be slippery and watch out for encroaching branches.

Walk details: Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership (local insights).

Some cracking views - especially the Crowchin Edge viewpoint. An enjoyable but demanding hilly route, not to be underestimated, with lots of steep ups and downs, rough ground, awkward pinch stiles and some very steep, loose or slippery slopes through quarries and woods. It crosses farmland, quiet lanes, old quarry workings, woods and a dam and with several places where navigation requires care; the going is rough and muddy after rain. Crosses the dam of Stubbing Pond ('Great Pond of Stubbing'). Info board about the Chesterfield Round Walk near Haselhurst Farm. Extensive woodland.

Lunch: Ashover, roughly midway, is a picturesque village with shops and at least three pubs.

Warnings: Steep slopes, including one descent so steep walkers used the 'fifth point of contact' to avoid slipping; loose ground in old quarries. Awkward and overgrown pinch stiles. Tricky navigation in several spots where path lines are unclear - a 1:25000 map advised. Care on the short stretch of Holestone Gate Road. Muddy after rain.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Magnificent views of the Derwent Valley. Stone-flagged path, tarmac road, squeezer stiles across fields, ancient trackway along a beech-wood edge and wall stiles and steps. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: Steep climb with uneven downhill terrain.

Walk details: Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership (local insights).

Excellent views of Heage Windmill; picturesque 13th-century church. Cobbled footpath, stepped paths, woodland paths, farm tracks and tarmac road and zigzag downhill paths. Bus services leave Cromford at frequent intervals. Bonsall is mentioned in the Domesday Book — an ancient settlement with lead-mining heritage; Cromford is part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: Fairly strenuous uphill sections; road liable to subsidence.

Walk details: Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership (local insights).

Fine, panoramic 180° views over Matlock, Tansley and Riber. Tarmac paths, cobbled stones, stony paths, narrow paths, stone pavers, wide tarmac path and uneven path and driveway. Oldest dated building in Matlock is from 1621; an ancient squeeze stile is dated 1772; Wellfield Cottage dates from 1667; remains of a WWII anti-aircraft defence site on route.

Warnings: Take care coming out onto the road — cars pass only a metre or so the other side of the stile.

Walk details: Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership (local insights).

Excellent viewpoint with considerable views of High Tor and Pic Tor; wide view of Matlock; striking and attractive St John's Chapel. Squeezer stiles through fields, grassy track, narrow path with high wall and dried-up dew-pond area and track sections. Flowers in these fields are lovely in spring and early summer, particularly when the Buttercups are out. Geoff's Seat memorialises a Matlock solicitor involved in creating the Limestone Way.

Warnings: Path can be slippery — especially as it sees little sunlight; often shaded and can be muddy; awkward step stile requires care.

Walk details: Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership (local insights).

Fine views over Matlock from Pic Tor. Level riverside paths and promenade and with an optional steeper ascent. Two route options — the main level family walk or a steeper alternative ascent to Pic Tor.

Walk details: Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership (local insights).

Steep woodland walk with fine views. Woodland footpath with steep steps; alternative riverside path option. Two route options — a higher woodland walk or a lower riverside path. A pirate-ship playground is reached via steep steps. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: Higher route has uneven steep steps and cliff-top edges — keep children under supervision and unsuitable for younger children.

Walk details: Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership (local insights).

Riverside paths and surfaced routes through gardens and with stone steps and step-free alternatives. Lovers' Walk is described as 'the oldest public park in the world'. The Water Gardens feature thermal spring water rising from below ground at 20°C, and the tufa grotto is built from stone formed by mineral-rich water deposits.

Warnings: Birdcage Walk involves a flight of stone steps; wheelchair users should keep to the quieter riverside pavement alternative.

Walk details: Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership (local insights).

Wonderful views over Matlock Bath and the Derwent; fine views through woods and fields between Matlock Bath and Matlock. Roads, tracks, a zigzag path, stone stiles, footpaths, farm gates and farm roads and steps. Extensive woodland.

Walk details: Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership (local insights).