Cromford, between Cromford and Wirksworth, Derbyshire DE4 4GT

Black Rocks

Viewpoint

Place photograph

7.2

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Paid

Cost

Dramatic

Feel

HillsValleyRemote countrysideWalkersPhotographersHistory lovers

Why it's Wildland

7.2

Weathered Ashover gritstone rises above the Derwent Valley on a hillside shaped by lead mining. The spoil slopes support lead-tolerant plants, while the surrounding landscape meets at a boundary between limestone and gritstone.

Black Rocks earns its place for the contrast between a dramatic gritstone outcrop, far-reaching valley views and a physical record of lead-mining. The approach is short but steep; the nearby waymarked Wirksworth circuit offers a longer, sourced option for making more of the visit.

Dramatic · Big-sky

Find your way

Open map

Cromford, between Cromford and Wirksworth, Derbyshire DE4 4GT

Opening map…

Explore around here Get directions

Know this place a little better?

Add photos Add video Add a waypoint Improve information Report a change

The experience

For a brief visit, climb from the car park to the gritstone outcrop and take in the valley view. For a longer outing, follow the documented five-mile Wirksworth circuit, allowing two to three hours. Paths on the circuit may be rough and muddy.

Things to do

Climb to the gritstone outcrop

Take the short but steep climb from the car park to the weathered Ashover gritstone and its views over the Derwent Valley.

About 1–2 hours for a simple visit; exact walking time is not specified.

Walk the Black Rocks–Wirksworth circuit

Follow the five-mile route from Black Rocks to Wirksworth and back. Derbyshire County Council gives an allowance of two to three hours and says the route is waymarked with Circuit Walks around Wirksworth discs.

2–3 hours

Look for lead-tolerant plants on the scree

The mine spoil on the slopes leading up to Black Rocks supports lead-tolerant plants, including leadworts, according to Derbyshire County Council.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Allow about 1–2 hours; the approach is described as short but steep.

Quick Escape: Climb to the rocks

01
Start at the Black Rocks car park.
02
Climb the short, steep approach to the gritstone outcrop.
03
Pause for the views over the Derwent Valley, then return the way you came.

Half day · 2–3 hours

Make a Half Day of It: Black Rocks and the Wirksworth circuit

01
Begin at Black Rocks and take the short, steep climb to the outcrop.
02
Continue on the five-mile Black Rocks–Wirksworth–Black Rocks circuit described by Derbyshire County Council.
03
Expect rough or muddy paths at times and follow the waymarked Circuit Walks around Wirksworth discs.
04
Finish in Wirksworth, where the council leaflet notes cafés, coffee shops and pubs; check opening details separately.

Verified history

Black Rocks and the surrounding Cromford Moor landscape have a lead-mining history. Derbyshire County Council identifies the scree below the outcrop as mine spoil. A supplied video description identifies Cromford Moor Mine, also called Venture Mine, and discusses workings said to date from the 1600s; that more specific chronology is not independently confirmed by the council source supplied here.

Folklore & legend

A supplied video describes local folklore connected with the Devil and “leaping lovers” at Black Rocks. Treat these as local legend, not verified history; the supplied material does not establish the stories' origins or details.

Hidden details

Leadwort on the mine spoil — Look for lead-tolerant plants, including leadworts, on the scree slopes formed by mining spoil. The source identifies the habitat but does not establish the best season or guarantee sightings.

A meeting of two rock landscapes — The council leaflet notes that Black Rocks lies near the boundary between limestone and gritstone, with moorland and several woodland types across Cromford Moor.

When to go

· Not established by the supplied sources.

The supplied sources do not identify a best season or specific seasonal wildlife spectacle.

Paths on the Wirksworth circuit may be rough and muddy. Wear appropriate footwear and check conditions before setting out.

Worth pairing with

Wirksworth

A worthwhile extension on the documented circuit: Derbyshire County Council describes Wirksworth as a place with back streets to explore and cafés, coffee shops and pubs. Check current opening details before relying on facilities.

What to look for

Notice the weathered Ashover gritstone and the scree slopes below the rocks. Derbyshire County Council notes that these mine-spoil slopes support lead-tolerant plants, including leadworts. Look across the surrounding landscape for the transition between limestone and gritstone.

The story

Lead mining and the industrial landscape of Cromford Moor.

Best time to go

Check local conditions before visiting; no specific peak season is established by the supplied sources.

No best time of day is established by the supplied sources. Check local conditions before setting out.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers · History lovers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Cromford, Wirksworth, Matlock DE4 4GT

Listed hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Check before visiting.

Google rating

4.7 · 1,857 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

A short but steep climb from the car park reaches the gritstone outcrop. Derbyshire County Council describes the site as having pay-and-display parking; check current charges and conditions before travelling.

Check before visiting

Parking

Derbyshire County Council describes ample pay-and-display parking on site. Check current charges and availability before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Derbyshire County Council's leaflet lists toilet facilities on site; check current availability before visiting.

Check before visiting

Food & drink

A seasonal café is listed in Derbyshire County Council's leaflet; check whether it is open before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check before visiting; follow local signs and keep dogs under effective control.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park. The climb to the rocks is described as short but steep; access to the viewpoint itself is not established by the supplied sources.

Cost

Paid