Derbyshire

Derbyshire can be best described as consisting of three major sections. The southern lowland region, including the county town of Derby, the central Derbyshire Dales, and the northern High Peak region.

The Derbyshire Dales and the High Peak are largely within the boundary of the Peak District National Park. If you are interested in walking in the Peak District National Park see National Parks in navigation at left.

Having effectively removed the Peak district Natinal Park area from Derbyshire what is left? Well, not a lot you might say; just the southern and south east regions. But whilst south Derbyshire lacks the rugged grandeur of the High Peak, or the softer beauty of the Dales, much of it is fine walking country with large areas of undulating pastoral scenery through which several rivers meander lazily.

The River Dove flowing south from the Dales swings east in a large arc following the county border and finally joining the River Trent. Further east the River Derwent flows south through Derby, it's waters also destined to join those of the Trent. The rich deep soil of this area is utilised in growing wheat and barley, much of which is used in the brewing industry based at Burton on Trent. There is much of historic interest in the Derwent Valley, particularly related to the early industrial revolution when the Derwent was an important energy source for mills and clay, coal, iron and stone were all nearby.

The eastern border of the county, south from Heanor, which is industrialised and has a history of coalmining, is less attractive for walking.

Long Distance Paths Traversing Derbyshire
Limestone Way; Midshires Way; Pennine Way; White Peak Way

	Guide Books: [For further information or to purchase]
	100 Walks in Derbyshire contributors: Stan Coe, Janet Forrest, Tony Kershaw, AJ Middleton, AE Parks, David Robinson, Malcolm Sales An omnibus of local walks covering the whole of Derbyshire. The wide choice of routes are spread very evenly across the county, so no matter where you find yourself, you will not be far away from a walk in this book. As might be expected many of the walks are in the Peak District National Park and therefore cross high and remote countryside. The walks vary in length from 2 to 12 miles, the majority being in the 4/6 mile range. In addition to the route descriptions, details are given of points of interest along the way, places to eat and drink and where to park the car. Sketch maps and route descriptions are on facing pages.
	Discovery Walks in Derbyshire by: Paul and Sandra Biggs. Discover for the first time - or find out more about Derbyshire you already love! The walks in this facinating book visit stately homes and imposing castles, ancient villages and historic oddities. But it's not all culture: enjoy a stroll along canal-sides and river banks, through leafy forests, or tackle more challenging routes with some of the finest hill-walking in the country. Each district is unique and the 30 walks explore many attractions off the beaten track. The walks range in length from 3 miles to 8 miles and each has been graded for difficulty. And if the going gets too tough, Paul and Sandra always tell you where to head for a village pub or authentic tea room for refreshment.
	Village Walks in Derbyshire. by: Charles Wildgoose. Derbyshire is justly famous for its pretty villages. Within them or close by lies a rich heritage of manor houses, old mills, parish churches, village greens, rivers, byways, tracks and footpaths. The twenty routes in this book introduce the walker to some of the most picturesque villages in the county such as Bradwell, Hognaston, and Osmaston. Each careful walk instruction also includes details of how to get to the start, where to park and what food and drink is available locally. The walks vary in length from 2 to 7 miles and there is information about what can be seen en route.
	Walks Around Bakewell by: Martin Smith. The walks are: Chatsworth to Bakewell, A circuit of Stanton Moor, Deep Dale and Sheldon, Eastern Edges, Elton and Robin Hood's Stride, Litton and Tansley Dale, Monsal Dale and Brushfield, Over Haddon and Lathkill Dale, Rowsley to Bakewell, Wellington and Nelson. This book is one of the Dalesman 'Walks Around' series of short guides, each written by a local expert and offering 10 carefully chosen local walks of under 6 miles, all staying below 1,500 feet. If you are visiting the area this guide will help you get the most from your stay in this lovely locality. Each walk is fully described with a supporting easy to follow map, and the text also covers points of interest along the way.
	Walks Around Castleton by: John Gillham. Historic Castleton sits snugly in the Hope Valley, guarded both by the shaly slopes of Mam Tor, the Shivering Mountain, and the square-towered Norman keep of Peveril Castle, which overlooks the village from a lofty limestone perch. On the far side of the valley, the green fields ascend from the cottages and the river, their hedges and walls arcing to accentuate the graceful slopes of the Great Ridge. Many of the walks are in the Hope Valley, starting from either Castleton or neighbouring Hope. A few start a little further afield near Hathersage and the Derwent Valley reservoirs. This book offers 10 local walks of under 6 miles. Each walk is fully described with a supporting map, and the text also covers points of interest along the way.
	Walks Around Matlock by: Martin Smith. The walks in this guide are all close to Matlock and Matlock Bath. They are designed for the casual walker, the walker with time to spare and for those with young families where speed and distance are not possible. The walks take in some of the finest countryside round Matlock, the limestone gorges and dales, the gritstone tors and moors. None of the walks involve serious climbing, but Matlock and its environs are not for those who like flat walks, though the Cromford canal is the exception. This book describes 10 carefully chosen local walks of under 6 miles, all staying below 1,500 feet. Each walk is fully described with a supporting easy to follow map, and the text also covers points of interest along the way.
	Walks Around Buxton by: Andrew McCloy. Although Buxton is not within the Peak District National Park the breathtaking hills, moors and valleys are all around and it is a handy place from which to explore. At around 1,000 feet Buxton is one of the highest towns in England. In the west the Goyt Valley is visited, where there is a variety of valley and moorland walking around two remote reservoirs. To the south the Longnor and Earl Sterndale walks work their way amongst a stunning landscape. To the east the River Wye carves its way from its Buxton source through the plunging hillside. This is also the place for old railway trails and nature reserves. Each walk is fully described with a supporting easy to follow map, and the text also covers points of interest along the way.
	The Derbyshire Top Ten by: Brian Smailes. The Derbyshire Top Ten is an opportunity to walk the 10 highest peaks or moorland fells in a part of England renowned for its dramatic scenery. The ten highest locations, listed in the sequence walked are as follows, with height in metres shown in brackets: Crowden Tower (619m); Crowden Head (632m); Edale Head (636m); Kinder Low (633m); Sandy Heys (624m); The Edge (625m); Hartshorn (604m); Higher Shelf Stones (621m); Bleaklow Head (633m); Bleaklow Hill (630m). The guide divides the route into two seperate day walks, covering 7 peaks and 3 peaks respectively. A third section describes a connecting route between the two main walks. The total distance is 29 miles. A great challenge for the hillwalker.
	See also many additional guide books listed under Peak District National Park