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Minninglow & Roystone Rocks

Peak District Walk

Nat Park - Peak District - Lathkill Dale High Peak

County/Area - Derbyshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.8 miles / 9.4 km    Ascent - 600 feet / 182 metres

Time - 3 hours 30 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Minninglow & Roystone Rocks
Click image to see photo description.

This walk explores the limestone uplands of the Peak District and uses a section the High Peak Trail which follows a disused railway to reach Minninglow. This small hill is topped by a group of trees and features well-preserved neolithic remains including a tomb and barrows. The route continues into a broad valley to pass below Roystone Rocks which can also be explored if time permits. A gradual climb across the plateau leads you back to the High Peak Trail which is followed back to the start.

The start is the Minninglow High Peak Trail car park (grid ref. SK195582) which lies less than a mile south of the B5012 at Pikehall. After parking walk to the rear of the car park and turn east along the High Peak Trail. Cross Mouldridge Lane and continue along the disused railway. The Trail swings left and then right offering a good view to Minninglow Grange down to your right. At the point where the trail bends right (grid ref. SK206575), turn left onto a concessionary path (signed to Minninglow). Pass through a gate and head uphill through two fields to a marker post. Pass through another gate to reach the edge of the group of trees.

Walk across the hill in a south-easterly direction passing the neolithic remains. Exit the trees to enter a field. Go half right down the field to reach another marker post. Continue down the next field to reach a track. Cross the track onto a footpath (signed Roystone Grange). Continue under the High Peak Trail and descend the grassy path into a broad valley. Pass between two gate posts and continue with a wall on your left. Cross a stile in the wall and maintain direction along a grassy track to a pass through a gate. Bear half left across the next field to pass a former pump house to reach a track (grid ref. SK200566).

Turn right along the track and continue through Roystone Grange Farm. Jut pass the farm you pass Roystone Rocks on your left. This is open access land and if time permits a short walk takes you up to the summit from here the view are a reward for the extra effort. Just under a kilometre from the farm you reach a junction (grid ref. SK198576). Turn left along Minninglow Lane initially climbing gently. At the next junction continue ahead onto a track (signed to Biggin). After 700 metres of easy walking the track forks (grid ref. SK185578). Bear right through the metal gate and follow the track uphill. Another kilometre of easy walking leads to a gate and a junction (grid ref. SK176583). Turn right along a clear track and gently descend to reach the High Peak Trail. Turn right and follow the trail to walk through the Gotham Curve where the railway turned sharp left. Continue ahead through Chapel Plantation and across a lane to return to the start.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1410 Minninglow Hill, Roystone Grange and Cardlemere Lane from Gothameasy/mod5.5 miles
Walk 2503 Robin Hood's Stride & Stanton Moormoderate11.0 miles
Walk 2559 Stanton Moor & The Nine Ladies Stones from Winstermoderate9.0 miles
Walk 3196 Stanton Moor and Robin Hood's Stride from Winstereasy/mod7.0 miles
Walk 2136 Wensley & Brightgateeasy/mod6.2 miles
Walk 1378 Carsington Circulareasy4.5 miles
Walk 1379 Carsington and Harboro Rockseasy/mod5.8 miles
Walk 1369 Tissington Trail - Hartington to Parsley Heyeasy4.0 miles
Walk 1569 Lathkill Dale & Bradford Dale easy/mod8.2 miles
Walk 1589 Lathkill & Bradford Dales (short version) easy/mod6.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Walking in Derbyshire

Walking in DerbyshireWalking guidebook to 60 circular day walks in Derbyshire and the Peak District. Includes the Derwent, Wye and Trent river valleys, near Derby, Matlock, Glossop, Bakewell and Ripley. Routes range from easy to moderate and are between 4 and 14km (2 to 10 miles). Walks focus on places of interest, from Stone Age forts to castles to grand estates.
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Dark Peak WalksGuidebook to 40 walks in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park. 35 circular routes for most abilities, from 8km to 19km, around Edale, Marsden, Fairholmes, Baslow and Castleton, including Kinder Scout and Mam Tor, and 5 longer (25km to 45km) routes highlighting the best of the Gritstone Edges, High Moorland and Deep Valleys.
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