High Peak Junction Travel Guide

High Peak Junction sits at the confluence of two pioneering transport routes: the Cromford Canal and the Cromford & High Peak Railway. Located just southeast of Cromford village in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, this site was once a bustling transport hub where goods moved from canal boats to narrow-gauge wagons for the steep climb over the Peak District. Today, the junction marks the southern start of the 17-mile High Peak Trail, a traffic-free route for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders that follows the old railway line up through tunnels and inclines towards Middleton Top and Black Rocks.The surrounding landscape is a blend of industrial archaeology and natural beauty, with the River Derwent, the canal, and the old railway line all visible in close proximity. The site is easily accessed from a large public car park at Lea Bridge, with a footbridge crossing the river, canal, and former railway line to reach the visitor centre and workshops.

The heart of High Peak Junction is the original Cromford & High Peak Railway workshops, dating from the 1820s and 1830s. These buildings, where early locomotives were built and maintained, have been carefully restored and opened to the public. Inside, visitors can see the main workshop room with its original tools, a joiner’s bench, a forge with bellows, and a range of railway artefacts including a drill, chain bays, and beam engine parts. The cast-iron, fish-bellied rails on either side of the inspection pit are believed to be among the oldest lengths of railway line in the world still in their original position.The forge and workshop remain largely unchanged since their railway days, offering a rare glimpse into early railway engineering. A detailed visitors’ guide helps identify the many items on display, from line tools and oil tanks to historic photographs and equipment used in maintaining the line’s water tanks. The atmosphere is one of quiet industry frozen in time, with the sounds of the forge and the clatter of tools almost imaginable in the stillness.

The High Peak Junction Visitor Centre, housed in former railway offices and stores, provides a warm welcome with information, maps, walk leaflets, books, and gifts. Light refreshments are available, and picnic tables outside make it a pleasant spot to pause before or after a walk. The centre is an ideal starting point for exploring the Cromford Canal towpath in either direction or for setting off along the High Peak Trail.A highlight is the self-guided audio tour, narrated by the character Tapper Jack, which brings the history of the Cromford Canal and the Cromford & High Peak Railway vividly to life. For a small fee, visitors can hire a handset and follow the story of the junction’s heyday, learning about the challenges of building and operating a railway over the high moors. The site also offers activity guides for schools and families, focusing on science, art, history, and engineering, and occasional volunteer-led tours and special events such as ‘in steam’ days.

High Peak Junction is a natural base for exploring the wider Derwent Valley. The High Peak Trail begins here, immediately climbing up the Sheep Pasture incline and passing through a tunnel on its way to Middleton Top, where cycle hire is available. From there, the trail continues north through scenic moorland and woodland, offering outstanding views and access to other historic sites and viewpoints.In the opposite direction, the level towpath of the Cromford Canal provides a gentle, family-friendly walk along the water, passing through the World Heritage Site and linking with Cromford village, where Arkwright’s Mill and the historic industrial village can be explored. The Derwent Valley Heritage Way also passes through High Peak Junction, making it a key node in a network of long-distance and circular walks that showcase the area’s industrial and natural heritage.