Masson Hill

WalkApproximately 4 km

Moderate WalkBegins from

Matlock Railway Station

MATLOCK TOWN WALKSMasson Hill walk is approx. 4 km. It can be walked in acouple of hours or so.

Enjoy your walk and the beautiful views in and aroundMatlock.

The Countryside CodeThere are five sections of The Countryside Code

dedicated to helping members of the public respect,protect and enjoy the countryside.

Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signsLeave gates and property as you find them

Protect plants and animals and take your litter home

Keep dogs under close controlConsider other people

For more informationwww.countrysideaccess.gov.uk

GREENHILLSFARM

MASSONMOUNT

MATLOCKSTATION

BAKEWELLA6

ST JOHN THEBAPTISTS CHAPEL

GEOFF’SSEAT

MASSONLEESFARM

OLDLIMEKILN

OLD QUARRY& SHAFTS

EXIT FROMMASSON MINE

MINE SHAFTMATLOCKDALEMINE

ENTRANCEDISUSED

GAP

MASSONHILL

RETURN PATHFROM MASSON MINE

MASSON MINE ENTRANCEVICTORIA TOWER

HEIGHTS OFABRAHAM

MASSONFARM

CLIFFHOUSE

SHINING CLIFFOLDMATLOCK

RIBERCASTLE

HOLTQUARRY

PEAK RAIL

HARVEYDALEQUARRY

HIGHTOR

PICTOR

MATLOCKBRIDGEHALL LEYS

PARK

DerbyA6

Salter’s Lane

River D

erwent

CliffRoad

GRID

N

ST

ST

SQ

SQ

SQ

SQSQ

SQ

SQSQSQSQSQ

SQ

SQ

ST

G

G

G

250m

270m

335m

235m

SqueezerStileRiverViewRaised Ground

START

ParkingGateWalkRoadWallRailway

MATLOCK TOWN WALKS

YOU CAN ENJOY THIS WALK STRAIGHT FROM

MATLOCK RAILWAY STATION

From the station, walk towards the town and turn rightbelow the imposing weeping Beech Tree and walk upSnitterton Road past the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).Only 20 meters later turn left uphill to follow theLimestone Way signpost. Keep on uphill, crossing overthe railway and passing through the farmyard of BridgeFarm to some steps in front of the farmhouse. Climbthese into the field beyond. From here walk straight onthrough the field ignoring the path that veers off to theleft. After crossing the track at the top of the field keepstraight on through the next six fields. The path isreasonably easy to follow here through the squeezerstiles (including one with a dressed stone stoop). Theflowers in these fields are lovely in spring and earlysummer – particularly when the Buttercups are out.

Walk up the right hand side of the field in front ofMasson Lees Farm. Cross the drive leading into thefarm before crossing the small field diagonally intothe far corner. Then keep on the path ahead as itrises through the next field and disappears roundthe corner to the right. This brings you on to a tracknearly at the top of Masson Hill. Twenty five metresto your right you will see Geoff’s Seat. This has beenplaced here in the memory of a Matlock Solicitorwho was involved in the creation of the LimestoneWay – a route from Castleton to Matlock – devisedby Matlock Rotary Club some years ago (anextension is a present being developed fromUppertown, Bonsall to Rocester, Staffordshire byMatlock Rotarians). Geoff’s Seat provides anexcellent viewpoint with Riber Castle, Matlock,Darley Dale, Oaker Hill and Stanton Moor all visible.

The route of the walk turns left where the path reachesthe track, so retrace your tracks from Geoff’s Seat. Keepon the track with Masson Lees Farm below you on yourleft. The track descends before starting to ascend alongthe bottom side of three fields. Stay on the track as itclimbs. Where it bears round to the right ignore a narrowpath on the left leading into the brambles and thorntrees. 25 meters later fork left along a grassy track. Walkforward, 30 meters keeping to the left of a number ofpicnic tables slightly uphill to your right. At a gravel pathat the entrance to Masson Mine walk forward into thewoodland. Then zig-zag downhill towards the entranceto the Heights of Abraham.

Pass through a wooden gate and then turn left asthe main path turns to the right, and pass throughthe stile at the side of a metal gate. With High Tornow on your right walk diagonally left downhillthrough the trees until, after a couple of fields, youwill be heading towards Masson Farm. The pathstays just to the left of the farm, passing behind thefarm buildings to a rather awkward step stile. Takecare stretching down this to come into a smallishfield. Cross this to the gap in the far side. Walk downthe narrow path with the high wall on your right. Thispath can sometimes be rather slippery, especially asit sees very little sunlight, so take care.

When you come out on to St John’s Road turn leftdownhill towards St John’s Chapel which is a strikingand attractive building. After passing the water troughbelow the Chapel, take the rising path straight in front –do not continue down the road. This path is also often inthe shade and can be muddy. It will bring you to a stilebeside a gate after 100 meters or so. Beyond the gate tryand look over the wall for another excellent view of HighTor.

Continue just past the gate following the path as itbears round to the left to a dried-up dew pond, thenright, then left again until you reach anothersqueezer stile on your right. Pass through thisbefore crossing the next two fields along the path infront.

In the third field, with a wide view of Matlock in front, yourejoin the path which brought you uphill out of Matlock.Follow this downhill to Matlock.

Matlock Town Council, Imperial Rooms, Imperial Road,Matlock DE4 3NL tel: 01629 57488 email: townclerk@matlock.gov.uk

For more information about the town and things to do inMatlock visit www.matlock.gov.uk

This walk is free of obstruction but, if you encounter anyproblems, please report them to Matlock Town Council.

The public footpaths used on this walk are generally ingood condition but there may be some mud. Walkingboots, strong shoes or trainers are recommended.

The Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map No.24 (“ThePeak District White Peak Area”) can be used inconjunction with the Matlock Footpath Map.

This walk begins from the town which has good publictransport links.

Public transport information0870 608 2 608www.traveline.org.uk

Rail Times and Fare Enquiries08457 48 49 50www.nationalrail.co.uk

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe Town Council would like to thank Charles Wildgoosefor all his work on the design and explanation of the walk.