D231: High Peak Trail - Cromford Canal - Wirksworth Moor - Steeple Grange

Circular route

From Old Porter Lane walk through the Steeple Grange Railway on to the High Peak Trail and turn left along the trai to reacj High Peak Junction.l over the B5036.  Continue along the trail passing Sheep Pasture Engine House.  Continue on down the trail descending past the Catch Pit.  The Visitor Centre is worth a visit.  Cross the canal and turn right along the canal to Leawood Pump House and Aquaduct Cottage (now being restored by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust).  Follow the canal towpath all the way to Whatstandwell, emerging on o the road.  Turn right downhill, passing the Family Tree (a good refreshment stop) and cross the bridge over the River Derwent.  Take the footpath immediately opposite and cross the minor road o Alderwasley.  Take the path right which soon turns back left uphill (SW).  Follow the path uphill, crossing a drive and passing a house immediately on your right.  Emerge into a field and continue climbing uphill (WSW).  Continue until you reach the top of the hill where five paths meet.  Take the fork that goes half right (WNW).  Follow this path to enter Long Wood.  Go through to the northern edge of the wood. Turn slightly north of west and continue until you see yellow circular markers.  Descend to meet stream at bottom corner of field.  Enter the wood, cross the stream and turn left WSW through the woods.  The path emerges into fields and rises through fields containing some impressive trees.  On the right you get glimpses of Wigwell Grange.  The path joins a farm drive.  Follow this uphill to meet a minor road.  Turn right down the road to a junction and a pub (Malt Shovel Inn).  Go straight across the junction and about 300 m after the pub, a narrow road (Stoney Hill) leads down off to the left to Little Bolehill.  The road ends in a turning circle.  Take the path onwards at the end.  This finishes at another road.  Follow the road NNW through the interesting houses of Little Bolehill until it reaches the B5036 at Steeple Grange.  Go under the bridge (High Peak Trail) and immediately turn left back to the car park.