Middleton Top, Carsington and Wirksworth - Sunday

Location

Peak District

OutdoorLads shares the exact meeting point with people who have signed up, closer to the date. See the OutdoorLads listing for details.

About this event

This event is intended for attendees of BIG20: THE Celebration EventJoin us for a walk on the Sunday of ODL’s Celebration Weekend that includes a length of the High Peak Trail, outstanding views over Carsington Water and the rolling south Derbyshire countryside, plus some interesting points of interest in nearby Wirksworth.  This circular walk is 8.5 miles/ 13.5 kilometres in length with 375 metres of ascent and starts/ends at the BIG20 venue (so no need to move your car, if you have one parked there).The High Peak Trail is the track of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway, which opened in 1831.  The railway was built to carry minerals and goods through the hilly rural terrain of the Derbyshire Peak District.  The line ran for 17 miles / 27 kilometres between the Cromford Canal wharf at High Peak Junction and the Peak Forest Canal at Whaley Bridge. The walk includes 3 miles / 5 kilometres of the High Peak Trail and along that length we’ll walk up two inclines, through a short tunnel, and see a stationary engine house and other interesting remains of the former railway.  Along the way we’ll also see evidence of former and continuing mining activity and, arriving at Carsington Pasture, we’ll get as close as you want to a group of huge modern wind turbines.Carsington Pasture, at 327 metres above sea level, is the high point of the walk.  From here there are outstanding views of Carsington Water and the rolling Derbyshire countryside, south towards Derby.  We’ll also see the “King’s Chair” – a limestone rock that resembles a throne. This location is a good place for lunch!The second half of the walk heads downhill to the northern edge of Carsington Water, before heading east, cross-country, to Wirksworth.  An attractive small town, which originally made its money from lead mining, quarrying and textile manufacturing, Wirksworth has some interesting old buildings. It's also the northern end of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, a heritage railway line.  The walk winds through the town centre, from which it’s short distance back to the start point, walking through an area of disused quarry.Dogs: this is not an ideal walk for a dog. Well-behaved dogs are welcome but will need to be on leads, and under close control, for parts of this walk as we will encounter sheep and other grazing animals.  The walk includes Wirksworth town centre and some short stretches of this walk are along roads, so there will be traffic around.Waitlist: if this event is fully booked, and you want to come, add yourself to the wait list because places usually become available during the days leading up to the event.Photo credits: all photos by the walk leader, with permission granted to ODL for their use.