Walk 29: Rowsley to Chatsworth

Free parking is available at Old Station Close, Rowsley, Matlock DE4 2EL.

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Guidance

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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. Head left out of the free car park at Rowsley, and left again on to the A6.
2. Continue on the A6 for about 350 metres, crossing the bridge over the River Derwent.
3. Cross the A6 at the pedestrian crossing to meet the Peacock Hotel on the corner of Church Lane. Turn right onto Church Lane.
4. Ascend up Church Lane for about 500 metres. The road eventually turns into a track. Follow the track for just under a mile.
5. Eventually the track will come to a junction. Take the footpath with accompanying fingerpost to the right, which ascends up through the woods.
6. After about 500 metres, at the junction, take the track on the right that steeply  ascends higher into the woods.
7. Continue along the path through Manners Wood for about 700 metres, passing under wooden electricity pylons.
8. Cross over the stile in the wall and descend slightly left across fields towards a small copse of trees,the Calton Plantations, in the distance. Look out for the swiss cottage in the distance. 
9. Head through the gate in the trees, turn right and continue across the fields following the path to the next set of woods.
10. Continue through the gate into the woods – the path bends down and left, meeting another gate.
11. Continue through the gate to meet fields and spectacular views of Chatsworth House in the distance to the right.
12. Continue north for about 900 metres as the path descends to Edensor.
13. Head through Edensor, cross the B6012 and follow the path to Chatsworth House, crossing the bridge over the River Derwent.
14. Head through Chatsworth House car park. Drinks, refreshments and toilets are all on offer, or visit the house and wonderful gardens if you have time.
15. Continue onto the road to the east of the car park, past Chatsworth Farmyard where the road then bends right.
16. After 50 metres or so, take the footpath on the left which cuts through the trees, crosses an access track and continues up through more trees.
17. Cross a small stream before reaching a set of stone steps.
18. Take the stone steps and follow the steep path as it ascends up to the Hunting Tower. 
19. At the Hunting Tower, take the path to the right just past the cannons. 
20. Head through the woods until meeting Chatsworth Waterfall.
21. Take the steps to the left of the Chatsworth Waterfall, then turn right along the wide forest track. Continue for about 700 metres to meet a small lane. 
22. Turn left at the small lane, continue for about 70 metres, then take the footpath on the right, which skirts along a small edge.
23. At the junction, turn right and climb over the steep stone wall stile which leads onto a moorland track.
24. After roughly 200 metres take the path on the right down through the moorland.
25. At the edge of the moorland, cross the field towards the farm.
26. Cross the stile in the wall, turn right and head down the lane for 850 metres to meet Beeley Lodge and the B6012 Road. 
27. Turn right and continue along the B6012 Road, once again crossing a bridge over the River Derwent.
28. Once over the bridge, immediately cross the road and head up a small, steep slope to Calton Lees Car Park.
29. Pass the entrance to the Calton Lees Garden Centre car park and join the road which runs parallel to the garden centre on your left.
30. At the next junction, turn left and continue through Calton Lees.
31. Pass the last house to the left and take the footpath leading out of Calton Lees.
32. Continue on the path for 1.5 miles as it follows the River Derwent on the left.
33. Upon reaching Rowsley at the farm, turn left and retrace your steps back to the car park.

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