From the car park, turn left, crossing the busy A6 road and the bridge over the River Derwent. On crossing the bridge, turn right, and continue alongside the river, via a gentle path through Hall Leys Park to Knowlestone Place. Keep ahead for a few yards, then turn right at Stoney Way, the first road on your right. Continue up the way, passing Saint Giles' Church. The present building largely belongs to the 19th century, although its origins are Norman. The perpendicular tower is 15th century.

Just beyond the church and the Duke William Inn, turn right and walk along Pic Tor Lane, then turn left to enter the High Tor Grounds (a small fee is levied). Ascend the track to the summit of the mighty limestone station of High Tor - arguably the most spectacular crag in the Peak, from a rock-climbers exposed point of view. Enjoy the view over the Derwent Valley before walking on to the summit café for a cup of tea. The Roman Cave and Fern Cave - actually workings - may be explored before ascending to the cable car base station.

Descend the cable car station via a slightly hairy (but safe) zigzag path; the fact that you are walking over a 150 foot cliff standing 400 feet above the river in the gorge bottom should encourage parties with young children to maintain vigilance in the steeper sections.

Ride in high style over the gorge via the next available cable car; the system was built during the harsh winter of 1983/84, and opened Easter 1984. The view from the car gives a fair impression of the degree of exposure experienced by rock-climbers on High Tor, and takes in not only the mighty crag but also Matlock Bath and the Derwent Valley from a rare vantagepoint. After crossing high over the River Derwent you arrive at The Heights of Abraham.

The Heights were so named by an army officer back in the 18th century; he was struck by the similarity of the wooded slopes above Matlock Bath to the famous Heights of Abraham at Quebec. The Heights (Matlock) are capped by the Victoria Prospect Tower, a prominent folly erected by John Petchell in 1844. At the cable car station, descend via a zigzag path to the Great Rutland Cavern where you turn left then left again onto the path (signposted 'Matlock'). Ascend this path, passing beneath the cable car line, to reach the entrance to Masson Farm. Follow the track and the continuing small road to the Chapel of St John the Baptist, a chapel of ease with High Church origins built in 1897 and designed by Sir Guy Dawber.

From the chapel descend left along the footpath and continue over the fields, via the stiles, to the Snitterton road.

Turn right at the road to reach the A6, Matlock Bridge and your starting point.