Cromford Canal and Sheep Pasture Top views

Start : John Smedley Mill. Grid ref. SK 318 562

(S/E) If you start from John Smedley Mill car park, walk South-West along Mill Lane then Lea Wood Road until you reach High Peak Junction car park on in front of you. Just after the house, take the footpath on your left with the car park on your right and side.

(1) Cross the footbridge over the River Derwent (Amber Valley), another iron footbridge will be on your right-hand side. When you crossed the bridge, follow the path straight ahead crossing the railway until you reach the canal.
Cross straight ahead over the canal to walk behind High Peak Junction coffee shop. You will see an old train car.

Turn right (West) between the train cars and the coffee shop following the High Peak Trail and go uphill under the A6 bridge. Just after the bridge, you will see a hole "The Catch Pit". Carry on straight up the hill into the woods. At some point, you will see a little stoned house on your right and other structures further up on your left.

(2) Keep going straight up the hill until your reach a flat plateau with a stunning view of Amber Valley on your right-hand side. There are many benches and tables there to have a rest and enjoy. Carry-on straight West - South- West keeping the wall on your right.

(3) Just when the wood starts again on your right, take a gap on your right into the wall and turn straight right again to cross a stile into the field. Walk North-East onto the path going nearby the rocks, then left (West) with the quarry in front of you to find a path going to a tiny wooden gate giving access to private property in Cromford village.

(4) Cross the property with the house on your left-hand side, then exit using another tiny wooden gate to reach the road. (Baker Lane). Go right (West) on that lane and seek a footpath sign on your right between the houses. Turn right (North-North-West) onto this footpath.

Carry on straight ahead when you reach Barnwell Lane onto Bedehouse Lane. Do not worry, this lane looks like a dead-end however when you reach the last house you discover a footpath going along on your right. Carry on following the path behind the houses with gardens on your right-hand side until you reach a paved lane.

(5) Turn left onto the lane (North-West) to reach the busy B5036 (The Hill). Turn right (North) onto B5036 and follow it straight on Market Place road to reach the T junction with A6. Cross A6 at the traffic light toward Tor Café and the bus stop.

Turn left just after the bus stop onto Mill road. Follow Mill road as it curves until you reach Cromford Mills car park on your left-hand side and the start of the canal on your right.

(6) Just after the Wharf Shed, turn right (South-East) to walk along the canal with the water on your right-hand side. Keep following Cromford Canal straight ahead with the wall on your left-hand side and the water on your right. Eventually, you will pass under a little bridge and just after this bridge, spot a dinosaur onto your right-hand side into the woods. Carry straight on along the canal until you reach back High Peak junction coffee shop. (1)

From here, leave the canal crossing the railway on your left and follow your step back to your car at John Smedley Mill car park. (S/E)

Start : John Smedley Mill. Grid ref. SK 318 562

Car park: John Smedley Mill car park.
Park at High peak Junction car park if the one at John Smedley Mill is not available. The High Peak Junction Car Park is pay & display.

Facilities: At High Peak Junction coffee shop, toilets are available.

The Catch Pit : "This structure prevents serious accidents at the workshops or main line by catching the wagons".