Sheep Pasture Incline

The High Peak Trail runs from Parsley Hay, a few miles South of Buxton in North Derbyshire, to Cromford near Matlock. It was formally a railway route from Buxton to the Cromford Canal was used to transport coal and limestone
In view of the hilly nature of Derbyshire's Peak District, steep gradients  were a feature of the route, and on some, steel cables powered by stationary steam engines were used to haul the loaded wagons up them.
One such was Sheep Pasture Incline which runs up a 1 in 8 slope from the Cromford Canal at High Peak Junction to Middleton Top which housed the steam engine.
This cycle ride starts from Cromford Station on the Derby/Matlock line, goes along the canal towpath to High Peak Junction, calling in at Cromford Mill on the way.
The tough climb is well worth the effort as the views from the top are superb. and then we join the main road after Black Rocks for the freewheel down Cromford Hill and on into Matlock.

 We start at Cromford Station, having travelled by train from Derby.

 Cromford Station

Slightly off route, but Cromford Mill has cafes, shops and toilets and is well worth a visit in it's own right.

Opposite the mill is the Cromford Canal ......................

.................. with several of the original stone buildings.

We follow the towpath alongside the canal, which may one day be a link in the Derwent Valley Cycleway.

The towpath is narrow in places and cyclists should give way to walkers.

The incline is a different problem for cyclists going downhill.

Looking back down the incline.

The High Peak Trail levels out here. A great place to rest and admire the spectacular views.

 More views across to Middleton Quarry.

 On the left we pass Black Rocks.

The High Peak Trail leads through to the Wirksworth to Matlock Road with a long freewheel down Cromford Hill.

See video of ride through The Matlocks click HERE