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High Tor Matlock

1.2 miles (2 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This short climb takes you to High Tor hill between Matlock and Matlock Bath. The impressive limestone crag is just over a mile from the town centre and the train station. If you follow the Derwent Valley Heritage Way along the River Derwent south you will soon come to the tor. There's fantastic views of Matlock Bath, the Heights of Abraham, Riber Castle and the surrounding Peak District countryside from the summit. The hill also includes a splendid narrow walkway called 'Giddy Ledge'. Only try this if you've a real head for heights though!
You can extend your walk by descending into Matlock Bath through the river gorge. Here you can visit the fantastic Heights of Abraham where you can enjoy a cable car ride to a hill top park. You can turn it into a circular walk by crossing the river in Matlock Bath and returning via the Height of Abraham and Shining Cliff. See the video below for more details of this route.
Just to the south of the hill there's some nice riverside trails on the Lovers Walk.
The Limestone Way also runs through Matlock so you could pick this up and head towards the village of Bonsall through the countryside.

High Tor Matlock OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

High Tor Matlock Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Just east of the tor you could enjoy some post walk refreshments at The White Lion. The traditional British village pub has a cosy interior with log burners, low beams and stone walls. Outside there's a garden area where you can enjoy views of The Derwent Valley World Heritage Site.  They serve good quality traditional dishes including a fine Sunday roast. You can find the pub at 195 Starkholmes Rd, Starkholmes, DE4 5JA. The pub is dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

For an alternative walk around the tor see the Giddy Edge Walk which starts from the train station in Matlock Bath, to the south of the hill.

Photos

High Tor, Matlock Dale - geograph.org.uk - 426617

High Tor, Matlock Dale

Matlock town from High Tor - geograph.org.uk - 426717

Matlock town from High Tor. Taken at bluebell time. The deep fissure behind the fence is an ancient mine working at the northern end of the 'Roman Cave' lead vein.

Giddy Ledge - geograph.org.uk - 2323069

Giddy Ledge

View over Matlock Bath to Cromford Moor - geograph.org.uk - 2323078

View over Matlock Bath to Cromford Moor

Entrance to High Tor - geograph.org.uk - 2316435

Entrance to High Tor with information board.

First bend on the Giddy Ledge path - geograph.org.uk - 2323064

First bend on the Giddy Ledge path

Roman 'Cave', High Tor - geograph.org.uk - 426692

Roman 'Cave'. This is an ancient lead mine working (probably mediaeval rather than Roman) at the summit of High Tor, Matlock.

Matlock - High Tor from St Johns Road - geograph.org.uk - 2023928

View up to High Tor from St Johns Road

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

High Tor Matlock.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

High Tor Matlock.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)