The Peak District: Matlock & Matlock Bath Skyline walk

parking maps w3w | dog friendly | hills and narrow, craggy paths

Ok, so Matlock isn’t technically the Peak District but it might as well be. Nesting on the edge of the National Park Matlock has it’s own wealth of peaks and high points and is steeped in history.

We start just outside the lovely market town of Matlock with it’s delightful park, independent shops and the river Derwent running through. This spa town has a history of agriculture and mining but John Smedley saw it’s potential as a thriving hydrotherapy spa town in the 1800’s. It’s now a thriving town, a tourist hotspot and the main town hall for Derbyshire County Council.

You’re going to hear a lot more about Matlock from me in future but I’m starting with this gorgeous walk that takes in Matlock Bath and the views above. But recommend a walk into the town after if you’re after some lunch or some pootling.

On first look, Matlock Bath looks like a tacky seaside town that took a wrong turning. But bear with it, this is a lovely place and if you visit outside of a weekend you can enjoy it as a local. We’re going to head on up Masson Hill past the Heights of Abraham, a hilltop park first opened in 1780 that is accessible by cable car which we’ll pass under.

This walk takes approximately 1.5 hours. There is a variation of this walk linked at the bottom that will include Matlock town.

Starting Point.

We’re starting at the Artists Corner car park in-between Matlock and Matlock Bath. When I did this walk, the footpath the opposite side of the river was closed, possibly because the Matlock Bath Illuminations was on that weekend. So we headed from the car park along the busy road (with a good sized pavement) towards Matlock Bath until we could take a left over the river towards the station car park. I stopped here for a toilet break and a vegan brownie from the lovely cafe that also stocks some lovely local guides and books.

Continuing on you’ll head back towards Matlock Bath and come back over a bridge where you get a lovely view of the town. Again, in a short while we’re going to cross the bridge again back to the left hand side of the river along Lover’s Walk - it’s obvious why this path is named so as you walk as it’s so romantic. Here carry on walking until you find another bridge, which will lead you back to the town side of the river and into some lovely gardens that are worth picking around. Come back on yourself a little but staying on the town side of the river and come out in the car park of the now closed Peak District Mining Musuem. Outside the front you’ll find a pond with some huge fish (monty was transfixed!) and take the nearby crossing over to the other side of the road. Directly infront of you after crossing, take the footpath up to the right up the hill that takes you behind Hall’s and Matlock Fish Bar.

Start Your Ascent.

Start to climb a narrow path and follow it up to the Temple Hotel. Here you’ll come out onto a road that you can cross and take the path up the hill to the left up West Bank and then up the steep path that used to be the route for donkeys carrying people up to the Heights of Abraham.

When you come out by the gates for The Heights of Abraham, take a right down the road and then a left through a wall where you see a sign pointing to Matlock.

Woodland Wanders.

You’ll then follow a woodland path until you get to a little platform which crosses a lane and then you’ll pass under the cable cars where you’ll get some amazing views. Keep walking through the woodland until you reach a road - St John’s Road. Take this down, passing the chapel. Keep taking the road down and you’ll be opposite the car park.

If you want a longer variation of this walk taking in Matlock town try this.