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Derbyshire Walking:
Belper to Cromford
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Distance - 7.5 miles / 12.2 km Ascent - 800 feet / 242 metres Time - 4 hours 30 minutes Grade - moderate Author - Paul Taylor Start - OS grid reference SK348475 Belper Station, DE56 1DA or Field Lane Car Park DE56 1DE (approx. location only)
A linear walk in the Amber Valley from Belper to Cromford on the fringes of the Peak District, returning via train from Cromford Station back to Belper (please check train times before commencing the route).
The Route
1. Exit the Railway Station/Field Lane car park onto Field Lane. Turn right and walk 200 yards up to the T-junction and then turn left for 150 yards, along Green Lane, passing to your left Joseph, George, and then William Street (named after the sons of the mill owner, Jedediah Strutt) before reaching another T-Junction. Now turn left onto the beautiful, cobbled Long Row and walk along past the two hundred-year-old two and three-storey cottages which were built to house workers at the local mill during the cradle of the Industrial Revolution.
2. At the end of Long Row cross over the road and head towards the large North Mill keeping it to your right as you cross the bridge over the River Derwent. At this point you can see Belper River Gardens to your right. As the road bends uphill to the left, continue straight on and take the first turning right onto Wyver Lane.
3. Walk along past some lovely cottages to your left, along the road which eventually becomes a track. Although only ten minutes from your starting point you are now into countryside with trees to your left (and bluebells later in the spring) and the river to your right.
You now pass the reed-lined Wyver Lane Pool which is a nature reserve owned by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. During the summer months this is a haven for swifts, swallows and other birds as well as dragonflies and damselflies.
4. As the lane bends off to the right to a nearby farm, continue along a well-worn path towards another farm ahead but, before you reach the farm, the path bends uphill. Follow this until you reach a single lane road. Now turn right and follow the road along, all the time admiring the view just below to your right of fields, trees, river, and the railway line.
