Matcri two

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I 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.

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.

This 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.

A 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.

Enjoyed 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.

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