Matcla three

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Walked from Matlock to Clay Cross. An enjoyable walk, but not an easy one due to the number of ups and downs, the amount of rough ground, high grass, shallow mud and other minor impediments (squeeze stiles and stone step stiles, some constrained by undergrowth, narrow paths and steps). Very scenic, but for walkers with good boots only - not suitable for wheels of any kind.

From Matlock station, we cross the bridge and take the familiar route through the park and follow the back streets to Matlock Green, which can be crossed at a convenient pelican crossing. After a short pavement walk we branch left on a narrow surfaced path (the surfacing is mostly old stones, and in places the worn path ignores them). This wooded path emerges briefly in a small park, where we stay on the right hand edge to find another path that takes us down to Tansley Wood Mills. We turn left and take the signposted track right that leads to the Old Coach Road and more mills. Another track takes us up into Tansley through a residential area.

We head left then sharp right in front of the pub, then take the signposted path up the hill. Note that the path goes into the playing field - we leave the surfaced track here, and a waymarker would have been useful. Higher up there is a choice between the rather wet direct line and a better trodden less direct alternative. A steep climb is rewarded with good views back.

More fairly well used field paths take us onwards across Knabhall Lane to emerge on Allen Lane, which is narrow and usually quiet. We turn left at the main road then straight on on the "unsuitable for motor vehicles" lane ahead. As it descends the escarpment it becomes a narrow path (still surfaced though the tarmac is old and decaying). We head into a wood, then follow the "steep bridleway" down the hill. This section is steep, eroded, rough and a little muddy, so take care. I used a wider loop than the GPX file, which was well trodden. Eventually you reach a house and join a well surfaced lane, which we follow for some distance before taking the path straight on where the lane turns right. This path takes us round through a wood then over the nascent river Amber to Fallgate.

Here we follow the road left then go straight on. The narrow fenced path goes up the right hand side of the garden. At Hockley Lane we go left then up a short steep flight of steps, then follow the path past a deep old quarry and continue to Hard Meadow Lane. This lane is quite busy, so take care on this short road section. We soon branch right on Eastwood Lane, a narrow road mostly used by farm traffic. This takes us past Eastwood Hall farm and up fairly steeply through the wood. Just beyond a left turn we take the narrow fenced path right which emerges by a house at a rather awkward stone stile.

The path onwards through the field is well trodden enough to be easy to follow, though the left turn through the farmyard at Woodhead is not signposted. At the road we go right then follow the private road left. The public footpath goes through the fields below the house. The top field is long grass, and a short cut may be possible here. We descend to a narrow bridge then follow the undergrowth left up to the farm, where the path has been diverted round the north side of the buildings - there are good signposts here. Beyond we descend again, and there is one field where most people skirt the edge rather than taking the direct right of way line. Eventually we leave the well trodden path left to enter an area of small horse pastures - the path line is indicated by a series of narrow gates which make no concession to minimising the amount of waterlogged ground. There were no horses in sight, but the exit to Newmarket Lane involved going under a washing line.

At the lane we turn right and take the shortcut path through the fields to join a surfaced road (Fishes Lane). I may have missed a trick here, but Fishes Lane leads into a car park where it is easy to pick up the well used narrow fenced path up the hill to Clay Cross. We emerge on High Street, which can be crossed at a pelican crossing a few steps to the right. The meeting point by the tunnel vent is a short distance down Market Street. No seats here, but the bus station is only a short walk north.

Leaving on the decent from the ridge that Clay Cross sits on you can see the other ridges this walk crosses, the path leads through fields and along small sections of quiet roads to begin the climb upto the first of smaller ridge, path is reasonably easy to follow here.
Once the ridge is passed begins the descent to the River Amber crossing a couple of roads, the river is crossed near Fallgate, a station on what was the Ashover light railway remains can be seen around here if you look closely enough. The river is followed a short distance towards Milltown but then left on the climb towards Cocking Tor and Ravens nest, this is quite a climb and the path in parts seems more like a stream following the rains of late, the chimney you pass is thought to be the flue of the steam engine in the once Gregory's lead mine the waste you are walking through hidden by the trees, the view to your left from Ravensnest is back towards Clay cross and Ogston res. The route is now well defined following Allen Lane to Blakelow farm then back on fields dropping down to Tansley by the fete field, a little road walking then regaining the footpaths near the lower millponds crossing though Lumsdale to emerge at Matlock Green , crossing the main road and finishing by walking along the river Derwent in the park.
To sum up after rain was wet in places, some squeeze styles a few to climb some horses
some strenuous parts pubs cafes either end, boots etc essential.

An excellent country walk. I started from Clay Cross so it was basically down hill although there were some stiff ups along the way. It was muddy but no flooding except for a section of road that was avoided by entering the field. No cattle seen but they may have been in doors. No climb stiles but plenty of narrow squeeze stiles, some steps and potentially slippery slopes. I didn't use either of the inns on route but was pleased to have a welcome at the Red Lion in Matlock Green. An infrequent bus links the end points or set out from Chesterfield or Derby for a great linear walk.

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