Bolehill trail head above Cromford.
| Bolehill from Cromford Bolehill |
| Estimated net time | 30-40 minutes | ||
| Difficulty | No difficulties. | ||
| Drinking water | No access to running water. | ||
| GSM coverage | Coverage throughout the route. | ||
| Parking | Room for many cars at trail head car park (fee £1.20 for two hours per 2013). | ||
| Start height | 212 metres | ||
| Vertical metres | 120 metres for the roundtrip. | ||
| Trip distance | 1.6 km | ||
| GPS-file | X | ||
| Map |
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| Route photo |
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Drive road A38 north from west-end of Derby. Turn left onto A6, and follow A6 approximately 22 km to Cromford. Turn left onto road B5012 and drive 170 metres. Don't turn right to continue on B5012, but continue straight ahead on B5036. Drive 1.2 km and turn left where signed for "Black Rock". Drive 100 metres and turn left towards a car park, and then drive 50 metres. Park at this pay-and-display car park (£1.20 for two hours per 2013).
Start your hike by walking up the stairs from the car park, in an eastern direction. When you get up to a small plateau 15 metres higher, turn left and then right after 50 metres. From here continue east, passing a distinct rock on its right (south) side. At 280 metres the path turns left with a smaller path continuing straight ahead. Follow the smaller path, with soon turns right (south). This path will take you up to Bolehill's north ridge, and after having passed a gate you turn right (south) and continue the last 250 metres to the summit, which is marked by a concrete cairn.
Descend by reversing your ascent route.
I was in Derby for a workshop, and with a relatively early finish this Thursday afternoon I took the opportunity to bag one of the many small hills in central England. This was a short and easy hike, on a grey evening, but I was happy to get fresh air after an early start to the day, and was pleased to avoid rain.
After the hike I drove back to my hotel in Derby centre, bought a Chinese take-away, and relaxed in front of my computer.