• Andrew's TravelsThe Peak DistrictTraveler
    Wirksworth Station: This is the end of the Ecclesbourne Valley Heritage Railway Line from Duffield
    Wirksworth Station: This is the end of the Ecclesbourne Valley Heritage Railway Line from DuffieldView towards the disused Dale Quarry near WirksworthBolehill; a cottage on our way up to Cromford MoorView towards another disused quarry near WirksworthThe trail through the woods near Black Rock, on Cromford MoorThe trig point, 323m, near the Bolehill telecommunication and TV relay mastBlack Rock, formed of weathered Ashover gritView of disused quarry close to Black RockOn the High Peak Trail (not dissimilar to the Monsal Trail)Steeple Grange Light Railway, an 18 inch gauge Heritage Railway staffed by volunteersView down the Middleton Incline, walking up to Middleton TopMiddleton Top Engine House; this used to haul trains up the 1 in 8 InclineInside the Middleton Top Engine HouseInside the Middleton Top Engine HouseMiddleton Top Intake Quarry (disused)The StarDisc Stone Circle is located in Stoney Wood, above WirksworthDetail of my birth signStoney Wood informationView towards BolehillWalking down into WirksworthRoute Map for the Wirksworth Circular Walk

    Wirksworth Circular via part of High Peak Trail

    August 16 in England ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We leave the accommodation and walk up past the cemetery and then up to Bolehill; from here, it is a climb up to the woods on Cromford Moor and across to Black Rock.

    We then join the High Peak Trail; this is a 17.5-mile trail that runs from Dowlow near Buxton to High Peak Junction near Cromford, following the historic route of the 1831 Cromford and High Peak Railway. We see the station at Steeple Grange and carry on up the Middleton Incline to Middleton Top; fortunately for us, the restored Engine House is open on Sundays.

    Soon after this, we turn off and walk down towards Wirksworth, passing more disused quarries, eventually reaching the StarDisc Stone Circle on the edge of Stoney Wood; it is an interesting 21st century illuminated stone circle and celestial amphitheatre that spans 12m and is carved into black granite. We walk along the edge of Stoney Wood and join the road down into Wirksworth.

    It has been a really interesting and varied 5.4-mile walk. We walk back for a shower before heading out to Wirksworth for dinner and a look around.    Read more