D226: High Peak Junction - Intake Lane and Cromford Canal

Circular route

From the car park, cross the River Derwent on the footbridge and then over the Cromford Canal to reach the Visitor Centre (well worth a visit).  walk up the incline (half right), part of the High Peak Trail.  Take time to read about the Catch Pit and other exhibits.  Continue climbing past the Half-Way Stop on the Incline, until you reach the bridge for Intake Lane.  Here, peel off left and follow the path ESE to a dog leg right.  Follow the dog leg NOT the lower parallel track that goes straight on.  At a path junction, the lane returns to a SE direction and becomes a wide track.  Follow the track past a caravan site.  Keep going until the track bends right and rises up to the B5035 by a house. Cross the road and follow opposite path uphill into Crabtree Wood.  Derbyshire Wildlife Trust plus some volunteers have a major conservation project there.  Follow the waymarked path (Midshires Way) avoiding any side paths created for the work in hand.  The path descends to join a driveway.  When the driveway veers left, take the waymarked path on the right leading downhill (SE) to meet a stream.  This section can be muddy.  Cross the entrance drive to Watergate Farm and follow the path opposite uphill.  When the path splits, take the left fork that doubles back.  Continue uphill (broadly SE) until it meets a crossing track (323541).  Here turn left and follow field edge (NE) down towards the Derwent Valley. Passing a house on your left, follow the waymarked path down and cross the bridge at Whatstandwell.  Here the Family Tree might be a good stopping off point.  Take the road uphill for about 100 m and then turn sharp left along the towpath of Cromford Canal.  The walk along the canal offers numerous points of interest, including a tunnel, a river / canal / rail crossing, the Leawood Pump House and Aquaduct Cottage and finally High Peak Junction again.