Walk 41: Black Rocks to High Peak Junction

Walk Essentials

Start Point & Parking

Free parking is available on Steeple Arch Lane. If road parking is full, there is a paid for parking at Black Rocks car park, just off Steeple Arch Lane.

Weather

Route Map

Guidance

Print page

Safety First

Please don't rely solely on this guide to navigate the hike. Always carry a paper map of the area, compass, and know how to use them. Download the accompanying GPX file for use with a GPS app to help keep you on track. While hiking is generally safe, risks exist — plan ahead, use common sense, and make informed decisions.

Directions

1. From Steeple Arch Lane, head east into Black Rocks car park and walk up to the High Peak Trail.
2. At the trail, turn left (north east) and follow it for about 100 metres. Look out for the remains of Cromford Moor lead mine at the far end of the car park.
3. Opposite the Black Rocks information board, take the steep track opposite, climbing up to Black Rocks. Take care if you choose to scramble up the rocks. The views from the top are spectacular, overlooking Cromford in the valley below, with Matlock visible in the distance. Black Rocks is a dramatic gritstone tor, formed from ancient sandstones deposited about 300 million years ago
4. After exploring Black Rocks, continue up the steep path up the hillside until you reach a gate leading onto Cromford Moor. The path winds beneath an old quarry face and can be quite steep in places. Barrell Edge quarry was mined from the 17th century, with remains still evident today
5. At Cromford Moor, turn right and walk for about 150 metres up to the trig point at the top of Bolehill.
6. From Bolehill, turn left and gently descend across the moor, eventually entering a plantation. Continue through the trees for about 500 metres until you reach a track.
7. Turn right along the track and follow it for about 300 metres, watching for a path through the woods on your left.
8. Take this left-hand path and follow it through the woods for around 200 metres, taking care where fallen trees may obstruct the way.
9. Pass through a gap in the wall and continue down a walled track, with fields on either side, until you reach the edge of more woodland.
10. Enter the woodland, keeping the wall to your right.
11. At the next track junction, turn left and walk for about 50 metres, then once again head into the woodland.
12. Turn right and continue through the woods for about 750 metres, looking out for a dog waste bin and gate on your right.
13. At the gate, turn sharply left and descend steeply for about 250 metres through the woods, eventually crossing a small field to reach the A6.
14. Carefully cross the A6, then go through the stile opposite, descending to High Peak Junction – a perfect spot for refreshments.
15. To return, leave High Peak Junction past the old red wagons behind the café building and follow the steep incline of the High Peak Trail for about 3.5 kilometres, leading you back to Black Rocks car park and Steeple Arch Lane. Look out for the remains of the old Engine Houses on route back to Black Rocks

Gallery/Video

Questions or comment about this route? Leave them in the comments section below.