This stage starts from Belper's Heritage Centre, follows the river before crossing over, and onto the Cromford canal, a SSSI nature reserve at this point. Further on the canal is navigable and passes several relics of an industrial age of great upheaval, including the Leawood pumphouse used to fill the canal, High Peak junction, and the first steam driven railway line. A dogleg off the DVHW is taken to visit Middleton Top. Rejoining the canal we soon enter the spa of Matlock Bath, a steep short walk takes us along Giddy Edge above Matlock. Descent and crossing the river again to the west bank, we follow the river and cross again, through Darley Dale to reach Rowsley