Discover the beauty, splendour and heritage of Derbyshire’s River Derwent by following the Derwent Valley Heritage Way. This is a 55-mile walk along the Derwent valley from Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District National Park via Chatsworth and breathtaking scenery around the Derbyshire dales and through the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Follow the Riverside Path through Derby and continue onwards to the historic inland port of Shardlow. Journey’s end is at Derwent Mouth where the Derwent flows into the River Trent.
From north to south is passes Bamford, Hathersage and Froggatt, then on, via Baslow, to Chatsworth House, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The walk continues past Rowsley, passing close by Caudwell’s Mill before entering Matlock. From Matlock the walk enters the gorge at Matlock Bath, leaving the gorge around Cromford – famous as the home of Sir Richard Arkwright, father of the industrial revolution. This is the start of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. The walk continues through the Derbyshire Dales and on to Belper, where it moves away from the river. The walk comes close to the river at Duffield and continues through the centre of Derby – the southern boundary of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Leaving Derby, it follows the river as it widens out but makes a detour near Shardlow – a historic inland port – where it follows the Trent and Mersey Canal to the confluence of the Trent and Mersey Canal, the River Derwent and the River Trent and the end of the Derwent Valley Heritage Way.
The Derwent Valley Heritage Way can be enjoyed as a long distance walk or as a series of shorter walks and has been way-marked using small yellow and purple disks, look out for these at road crossing points and path junctions.
The Derwent Valley Heritage Way follows field and woodland paths, tracks and sections of pavement and road. Although a valley walk, there are climbs and descents. The terrain generally makes for easy walking, however some sections can be wet underfoot and prone to flooding. Within the Peak District National Park many stiles have been replaced with gates to make access easier. The National Park produce a free Access For All Guide +44 1629 816200. Sections of the Derwent Valley Heritage Way that are accessible by wheelchair include Ladybower Dam, The Thornhill Trail, Matlock Parks including Hall Leys and Lovers Walk in Matlock Bath, Cromford Canal from Cromford to High Peak Junction and the Little Eaton and Derby cycle routes as described above. The Derwent Valley Heritage Way can be walked as a complete route, or you may prefer to walk certain sections. All are accessible by public transport. The time it will take to walk the sections will obviously depend on your walking speed. You are guaranteed plenty to stop and see along the whole route. Allow yourself time to visit the many attractions, teashops, pubs and shops along the way. An estimate for timing is approximately 2 miles per hour, but this does not include time for stops. So 6 miles would take about 3 hours of walking without long stops, with stops it would be a relaxing day’s walk. More regular ramblers will manage between 6 and 13 miles in a day.