Giddy Edge Circular Walk, Matlock — walks by train

Could you brave Giddy Edge? Dubbed the ‘scariest footpath in England’, this circular walk in the Peak District has a mix of everything

Start: Matlock Town Centre (Matlock Station)

Distance: 4.5 miles

Duration: 2 hours

Elevation: 1,000 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Navigation: Follow step-by-step on komoot, or download GPX file

About the route

This circular walk starts right in the heart of Matlock and climbs up through woodland trails to the lofty limestone crags of High Tor – one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the Peak District. From there, you’ll tiptoe (or stride confidently!) along the infamous Giddy Edge, a narrow clifftop path with jaw-dropping drops and cracking views over the Derwent Valley.

Once you’ve conquered the edge, the route loops gently downhill, winding through leafy paths and finishing with a relaxed wander back into Matlock town – perfect for a post-walk cuppa or pint.

It’s a brilliant half-day adventure that shows off Matlock’s wild side without straying far from creature comforts.

Route difficulty

Moderate – a short but varied 4-miler with a decent bit of uphill. The path up to High Tor is steep and can be slippery after rain, and Giddy Edge has a narrow, exposed stretch that’s not ideal for anyone with vertigo. You’ll need a basic level of fitness and a head for heights, but it’s otherwise beginner friendly. This route isn’t suitable for buggies or wheelchairs, and dogs will need to be on the lead – especially along Giddy Edge.

👣 Distance: 4 miles
⏱️ Time: 2–2.5 hours
📈 Elevation: ~230m gain
🗺️ Terrain: woodland trails, rocky paths, town pavements
⚠️ Tricky bits: steep climb, exposed edge, potentially slippy when wet
Not suitable for: Young children, pushchairs, dogs that pull on the lead (especially on Giddy Edge!)

Route highlights

• Giddy Edge — ‘The scariest footpath in England’

  This precipitous pathway, with its wrought iron handrail and dizzying heights, was created by the Victorians as a tourist attraction.  Giddy Edge, perched in the High Tor Gardens above Matlock Bath, is widely recognised as one of the most ‘dangerous footpaths in the world’. With a 300-foot drop beside it, only the trickier sections are protected by the wrought iron handrails with nothing standing between you and the edge.

  Do you need a head for heights to tackle this one?

  This trail isn’t nearly as scary as it looks, in my humble opinion. Plus, the views across Matlock Dale are truly stunning, and well worth the effort for those who brave it. There is, however, an exposed drop on the cliff edge, so do take care if you’re bringing little ones.

• Matlock Bath

  Matlock Bath is dubbed a seaside resort 100 miles from the sea. The picturesque town is packed with chip shops, amusement arcades, ice cream parlours, and candy floss on every corner — everything you’d expect from a proper seaside town. It’s located amongst a beautiful limestone gorge on the River Derwent, and is home to stunning riverside gardens and steep wooded hillsides.

  History

  Matlock Bath has been a popular tourist attraction since the late 17th century, when the healing properties of its warm spa waters were first discovered.  Access to the area was improved in the 18th century, and by the 19th century, Matlock Bath was a place for society’s finest to visit. Lord Byron even dubbed the town ‘Little Switzerland’ on account of its magnificent views and steep, wooded hillsides.

• Heights of Abraham

  This historic 60-acre hilltop estate features cavern tours, exhibitions, adventure playgrounds and much more, plus regular special events throughout the season. A ticket to the Heights includes:

  Cable car journey — Enjoy a return journey on Matlock Bath’s famous cable cars, soaring high above the Derwent Valley.

  Great Masson Cavern — This cavern is often dubbed one of the true wonders of Derbyshire. Take a guided tour through an illuminated cavern and discover the secrets of Masson Hill.

  Great Rutland Cavern — Join the tour’s Victorian Cavern guides to learn about the history of the miners and showmen that once worked in this underground world.

Getting to Matlock

By car

Reaching Matlock is most convenient by car from most major cities, but it’s also well connected by train. We parked in Matlock town centre (not Matlock Bath), where you’ll find multiple car parks.

By train

Getting to Matlock by train is straightforward, with direct services from several cities and easy connections from others.

Getting to Matlock by Train

From Manchester

While there are no direct trains from Manchester to Matlock, the journey is straightforward with one change:

• Route: Manchester Piccadilly → Sheffield → Matlock

• Duration: Around 2 hours, depending on connections

• Frequency: Around 32 trains per day

For planning and booking, visit The Trainline.

Direct from Nottingham and Derby

There are direct trains from Nottingham and Derby to Matlock. For schedules and booking, visit East Midlands Railway.

Good to knows

• Giddy Edge: The climb up to High Tor gardens is steep and somewhat physically demanding. Giddy Edge is unfenced and not recommended for small children.

• Toilets: You’ll find toilets dotted around Matlock and Matlock Bath. The toilets in Matlock Bath are 20p entry.

• Food and drink: Along the route, you’ll find plenty of pubs, cafes, and fish and chip shops. We stopped off at The Midland on the return end of the walk.

• Parking: We parked at the car park on Imperial Road (DE4 3NL), which cost £6 for the full day. You’ll find multiple car parks in both Matlock and Matlock bath, and you can start the route from either of these locations.