Matlock to Darley Bridge and Oker via White Peak Loop

The walk starts on Bakewell Road in Matlock as you alight at any of the many bus stops. Heading in a westerly direction away from the town centre, walk along the main road out of Matlock for approx 1.4 km, going straight ahead when you reach a small roundabout.

Very soon after passing the Premier Inn on your right, cross over the road and take the public footpath almost directly opposite, signposted for the White Peak Loop to Darley Dale and Rowsley.

Cross over the railway line and immediately turn right to follow the White Peak Loop path alongside the railway line. This is a heritage line serving the Peak Rail steam railway so it is rarely busy - keep your fingers crossed and you might see a steam train billowing through from Rowsley to Matlock!

Stay on the path alongside the railway, ignoring footpaths off. There are beautiful views across open countryside and over the River Derwent to the left, with plenty of good picnic spots if needed.

After approx 1.6 km you will see a prominent crossroads of paths, just after a signal point. Turn left here through a metal kissing gate, crossing over a stream and going straight on through a small wooden hand gate to emerge into grassy fields.

Continue straight on for approx 100 metres, and then go through a second wooden hand gate on the right. Walk diagonally left through the field, heading for a squeeze stile in a stone wall. Go through the squeeze stile and then turn immediately right to walk along the field edge towards houses, passing through another two squeeze stiles on the way.

On reaching the houses, follow the path through the large metal gate ahead and walk straight on to reach the main road through the village of Darley Bridge. Turn left on the road and walk on the pavement, crossing the bridge over the River Derwent. Bear right after crossing the bridge and stay on Main Road as it twists through the village.

After approx 500 metres, you will reach a fork in the road at Cross Green. Take the road on the left, Kirby Lane, signposted to Oker (aka Oaker) and Snitterton. Stay on this road for approx 200 metres as it heads gently uphill and leaves the houses behind.

Just past the last house, take the clearly-marked public footpath on the left. This starts out as a narrow metalled track but quickly becomes a field path and crosses a step stile to emerge into open countryside.

Follow the clear path straight on, passing between two prominent stone barns. There are wonderful views here to the left over to Darley Dale and Matlock. Stay on this path for approx 1 km as it winds on through open countryside, over a number of step stiles and through gates, until it eventually widens to become a lane leading down into the village of Oker.

When you reach the T-junction with the main road through Oker, turn left and walk downhill with beautiful views ahead. Be aware that there is no pavement on this road but it is wide and usually quiet.

Continue on this road, ignoring Aston Lane off to your left. Soon after passing the postbox, the road bears right. On the bend, look out for a public footpath in the hedge on the left, signposted Oker to Matlock. Cross over the step stile and follow the clear path straight on across the field, eventually meeting up with the River Derwent on your left.

Cross another step stile and follow the Derwent Valley Heritage Way footpath for approx 1.75km all the way back into Matlock, the river always running to your left. Stay on this path, through trees, between fences and under bridges, until you emerge into the town centre close to a set of traffic lights.

At the traffic lights, turn left and walk across the bridge, then left again at Crown Square by the large roundabout, to find your starting point on Bakewell Road ahead of you.