Description
This is a Slow Ways route connecting Matlock and Crich.
Know of a better route? Share it here.
This is a Slow Ways route connecting Matlock and Crich.
Know of a better route? Share it here.
Status
This route has been reviewed by 5 people.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Matcri two
Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.
Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 5
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (5)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 7
Surveys
What is this route like?
Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.
Grade 4X based on 2 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
---|---|---|---|
Description | Note | ||
Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues. Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users. |
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 2 surveys. | ||
Full grading description |
Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.
Survey Photos
Facilities
Facilities in the middle third of this route.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
Narrowest part of path: no data
The steepest uphill gradient East: no data
The steepest uphill gradient West: no data
The steepest camber: no data
We don't have clear data on the waymarking (2)
Successfully completed
We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.
Recommended by an expert
We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.
Terrain
We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.
There is no data on how much of this route is on roads
There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night
Thereis no data on amount of route paved
There is no data on muddiness
There is no data on rough ground
There is no data on long grass
Report a problem with this data
2 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Matlock
Grid Ref
SK2966060180
Lat / Lon
53.13797° / -1.55809°
Easting / Northing
429,660E / 360,180N
What3Words
masses.oblige.stubble
Crich
Grid Ref
SK3499354215
Lat / Lon
53.08403° / -1.47902°
Easting / Northing
434,993E / 354,215N
What3Words
motoring.shuttling.dolphin
Matcri Two's land is
Matlock | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SK2966060180 |
Lat / Lon | 53.13797° / -1.55809° |
Easting / Northing | 429,660E / 360,180N |
What3Words | masses.oblige.stubble |
Crich | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SK3499354215 |
Lat / Lon | 53.08403° / -1.47902° |
Easting / Northing | 434,993E / 354,215N |
What3Words | motoring.shuttling.dolphin |
Other | 7.6% |
Other agricultural land | 8.9% |
Pasture | 66.2% |
Urban | 17.4% |
Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018
reviews
StephenWalker
02 Aug 2023I walked this route from Crich. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a high level route between the nodes, so be aware that there is a lot of up and down whichever direction you take. Also note that these are mostly footpaths, not bridleways, so it is not suitable for cycling. There are many stone pinch stiles.
Hugh Hudson
13 Oct 2022 (edited 24 Oct 2022)Walked from Crich to Matlock as the final part of a long tough three route walk from Heanor (actually Langley Mill which added another climb) via Ripley. This is a good route with fine views, but the terrain and paths are challenging, and the descent from Riber Castle is brutal for those prone to sore knees.
We leave the Crich Meeting point along Coasthill, which we follow right around a bend, up the hill and going straight on where the main road goes right. This leads to an old lane across a field, at the far side of which we follow another lanr right towards the church. At Dowie Way we go right to find a narrow footpath which heads straight up the hill, through a garden and an extremely narrow squeeze stile (so narrow I had to take the rucksack off) to emerge on Cromford Road opposite the church. We take the lane on the right hand side of the church, taking a footpath left across the cemetery extension and across a couple more fields to emerge on Plaistow Green Road. Here one can either follow the road right (busy and enclosed) or better go a short distance left to find the path parallel to the road the far side of the wall, which leads to the bottom of the drive that leads up to the Crich monument, which a familiar landmark to most people in East Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
Here you can either follow the main path right below the monument or continue up to the trig point, where an alternative path (which can be a little awkward and slippery in places) cuts the corner to the obvious path along the quarry fence. We follow this path around to where it crosses the tramway. Although there is a right of way straight on here, it is easier to follow the better track that goes down to the right and zigzags down towards Wakebridge Farm, where we follow the right fork past cottages to the road. We turn right and right again at a footpath sign into a field, where the path is now clearly marked until it meets the lane that goes up the hill from the farm buildings.
We follow this lane, taking the left fork where it divides and continuing along the edge of the wood and along a field boundary until we reach the footpath that heads left across the field towards Lea. This crosses a road and continues across a few more fields to reach a rutted lane, which we follow down a short distance to another path left across fields, which leads us into Lea, where we follow the road past the Jug & Glass Inn (last possible refreshment stop before Matlock) to reach a crossroads, where we take the footpath straight on steeply down the hill. The path crosses a road and goes slightly right and straight on down to a bridge over Lea Brook. Beyond the bridge we continue upwards but turn left into the wood before open fields are reached. This path through the wood is entertaining, but crosses above steep slopes, so take care. It leads out onto a field, where we go down across another stream and then follow a clear path straight up the grassy hillside. This is the longest uphill section of the walk, and the path eventually leads us out onto Hearthstone Lane, another old stony road. We follow it right over another hill (Bilberry Knoll) and down past Hearthstone Farm. Just beyond the farm we follow a path right which cuts the corner towards Riber, where we continue straight on to Riber Hall Farm. We then turn left up a drive and right at the gates. The way down is obvious, down a long stony stepped path (with a handrail in most of the steeper sections), which will be a trial for anyone with fragile knees. Eventually we emerge past a school onto the main road through Old Matlock, where we turn right. Just beyond a bend right we take a steep lane down to the left, turning left again at the bottom and heading straight across the park to the bridge on the old A6.
Note that currently (October 2022) the new A6 bypass road (Derwent Way) and the bus station are closed while work is being done on the flood defences, but the path leading up to the meeting place at the railway station is still fine.
-
Share your thoughts
Dave Nash
26 Sep 2021This was a good walk that was the second leg of a longer circular walk, as we walked to Matlock in the morning from Alfreton, then heading on to Crich and eventually finish back in Alfreton.
Our start was from the Cafe in the Park, tea and carrot cake is great.
Points to note:
The directions a mostly clear and easy to follow, there are one or two parts where the the paths are not always clear and some are now a bit overgrown. The exits out of fields not always obvious.
The route is mainly on hard tracks, fields and a small amount of road walking.
There are a number of stiles of various sorts, the pinch ones can be very tight, had to take our day sacks off to get through a couple.
We came across sheep, cows and horses in some fields, so just a bit of care needed.
The trek out of Matlock is quite steep (we had already walked down!) but the views at the top are great.
You have varied countryside with good views.
As you approach Crich the path is very steep off to your right to take you round Cliff Quarry.
In Crich there is the Tram Museum, a pub and local store.
Overall this was a very enjoyable walk that I would highly recommend.
-
Share your thoughts
Ken
02 Aug 2021A great walk with lots of interest. I did this one Crich to Matlock which offers a reduction in elevation and some great views but still some climbing.
The hill top village of Crich has a long history of limestone extraction but is now a genteel commuter or home working settlement. It was used for many of the locations shots in the 1990's TV soap 'Peak Practice'. The village lies below the war memorial know as Crich Stand so there's a climb to visit that landmark vantage point. Next a path around the large disused quarry, fenced for our safety. There are good views here to the east before it bends to cross the top terminus of the tram track from the museum. Now it's down and a slight deviation from the definitive line along a well walked path to Wakebridge. Heading north again gently down through pasture is a delight with views northwards, then steps into the hollow way which gives Holloway it's name. Lea is half way so the Jug and Glass may tempt a break before a climb after crossing the Lea Brook which once powered the mill where John Smedley still makes 'The world's finest knitwear' (their claim, not mine).
More great views before meeting the walled restricted byway which leads to Riber. Note the small fenced enclosure at the road junction, this protects a Fundamental Benchmark (FBM) the bedrock of Ordnance Survey mapping for elevation. There are 7,000 trig columns but only two hundred FBMs almost as rare as hen's teeth. Riber Hall stands behind the impressive steps and gate not to be confused with Riber Castle which stands behind and looks over the town of Matlock. The castle has had a sad history and plans for a hotel have again stalled. Before descending the slabbed path take time to admire the view of Matlock or having left the town sit to regain your breath. A great walk not spoilt by a few weak links.
-
Share your thoughts
SeaGreen
31 Jul 2021Enjoyed this a lot. Was a rather dull day, end of July, and my pictures did not do it justice but the flowers were lovely and there were loads of bees enjoying them. Hardly saw anyone between Riber Castle and Crich Tramway.
Pros:
All the footpaths were in good condition despite a torrent of rain yesterday.
Varied walking surfaces from stone slabs to hard packed earth to surfaced tracks.
A number of alternative paths along the route.
Only small road sections while passing through villages - good pavements.
About half way the village of Lea has good food at the Jug and Glass Inn and good cafe and cake at Lea Gardens.
Some good views - especially at the Forrester Memorial as you get near to Crich (also has a cafe).
Pubs, cafes, shops and facilities at both Matlock and Crich and 140 bus links them.
Cons:
Quite a bit of elevation, from Matlock up to Riber then down to Lea and back up to Crich. Although for me this was a plus as I like going up high.
One field of cows and calves - but only half a dozen and very calm and quiet.
A lot of pinch stiles, some combined with gates - and through the farms some very narrow gaps - had to take my small daysack off to get through one.
-
Share your thoughts
Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.
Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.
You can add up to 15 photos.
Other Routes for Matlock—Crich See all Slow Ways
Review this better route and help establish a trusted network of walking routes.
Suggest a better route if it better meets our methodology.
Share your thoughts