Ashder two

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Walked from Ashbourne to Derby. I enjoyed this one a lot. There are steps, stiles and some muddy sections, so it is not wheelable, but considering how wet the ground has been recently there was nothing too serious in the way of obstacles, and most of the route is easy to follow with plenty of interest. Over half of the route is on the well trodden Centenary Way (which leads to Duffield rather than Derby).

From the Ashbourne meeting point, we head right up the hill on good pavements then through a housing estate. A short section of path takes us over a stream and out past more houses to the Ashbourne by-pass. The crossing has steps on both sides and no central refuge, so take care - patience may be needed at busy times. Beyond the road the path is fenced off and though it deviates a little from the GPX line there is no possibility of going wrong. Once in the caravan site just follow the main track that leads to an obvious well trodden path between fences. Beyond the first field the path is unsurfaced. Most of it is fine but there is one small wood where the path looks like a stream, but a shallow one so no real obstacle. The line out of this wood is further west than the definitive path, and leads to an obvious trodden line over the next field which leads to Moor Lane. The first pub is passed in Osmaston (still way short of the middle third).

The section through Osmaston Park is easy to follow and popular, though there are some fairly steep ups and downs past the mill pond. The streets through Shirley are mostly unpavemented but seemed fairly quiet. We continue down Mill Lane then fork left along a little used farm road that leads to field paths on both sides. We take the left one, which has an obvious trodden line through the pastures. A short section of quiet road leads to more well marked field paths.

In Ednaston there is a short section of road walking with no pavement - take care on the first corner. Where the road bends left we go straight on, bearing slightly left to pass a pool then right to head up to the remote Brailsford church. More well trodden field paths lead us into the village. If necessary, the A52 can be crossed on a pelican crossing beyond the post office/village shop - if so a short double-back will be needed to reach Alley Walk.

Once out of the houses the path remains well trodden but deviates a little from the definitive line. The second field is quite muddy, and most people seem to walk round the edge. We continue on the Centenary Way through more fields to reach Mercaston Lane. Beyond the lane we leave the Centenary Way, using a little trodden path across sheep pastures. The line out of the first field may be further left than one expects, but the bridges beyond are clearly visible once over the rise.

After crossing the lane again the way ahead crosses a large arable field (easy at this time of year) - note that the exit from this field crosses a hedge below the top of the field and continues along the pasture on the left before rejoining the definitive line in the next field. This section of path stays fairly near the crest of a broad ridge, which offers good views. The path becomes more distinct and trodden beyond Buckhazel Lane, though it still deviates from the definitive line.

Beyond Lodge Lane the path is an obvious track that becomes well surfaced once the farm is passed. We eventually leave it right on a well used path (once again not quite on the definitive line) that leads to another farm road which we follow out to Markeaton Lane, which is busy but has a good pavement on the west side apart from a short narrower section over a bridge. We turn left and follow paved tracks into the popular Markeaton Park. Our route follows the unmarked Bonnie Prince Charlie Way out to the rather impressive spiral-ramped footbridge over the Derby western by-pass.

We continue on a good path alongside the stream, then follow streets and surfaced paths into Derby city centre. My only slight quibble with the route through the centre is using the narrow Thorntree Lane to approach Morledge and the bus station - this back street has no pavements and was very quiet on a Sunday afternoon, and some may prefer to stick to the more popular and better lit alternatives such as the direct route from Market Place or using East Street.

Overall this is an excellent route. Having walked the Bonnie Prince Charlie way (see AshDer One for Lynn's horror story) a few years ago, this is much easier to follow, is never blocked, and is more scenically interesting.

I walked Derby to Ashbourne on a dry, warm but windy day. The exit from Derby is good passing the university and making a safe level crossing of the inner ring road. The route follows the Markeaton Brook passing more Uni buildings one an old mill with the former mill pond adding variety to our walk. A spiral footbridge provides safe passage over the outer ring road. This route offers an excellent link from the city to the park which is accessible to all.

A tea room and loos are on route here and there's not much more in the miles to come so best make use. Exit the park and a short section of roadside pavement passes some impressive flood prevention engineering necessary because the Markeaton and Mackworth brooks meet here. The bridleway track and a cross field footpath are well used passing Vicar Wood on the edge of Kedleston Park, signs make clear there is no access from the public path.

At a road crossing, five miles from Derby, a detour of 250 metres left to Maynall Langley would offer a tea room. From here the paths are real cross country but not difficult. Sheep and lambs graze in the fields and the views remain good. Just one issue of a path blocked with oil seed but I managed to walk around the field edge.

Brailsford is about half way. Here there is a well stocked shop, a tea room, open at weekends and just off route the Rose and Crown. Also the hourly Swift bus to break your journey or save the day. I sat for lunch on a seat alongside the path as I entered the village. Not the best location but it was out of the wind. The church also offers seats but that stands in isolation on the far side of the village.

Ednaston offers the Yew Tree Inn but like so many it was closed at the time I passed through the village. No pavement here and traffic appeared to ignore the 30 speed limit or perhaps it was comparison with my steady three miles per hour. Another field of oil seed here, there was a cleared path but the crop being almost six foot tall had flopped onto the path blocking it. I had no choice but to push through emerging with trousers covered in yellow pollen.

Shirley offers another inn which the sign claimed was open every day from noon but the door was shut. A deli around the back offers ice cream and perhaps more. I preferred the seat by the church tower, which I would highly recommend.

It's now an easy and direct route through Osmaston Park where signs make clear where the path is not. I say through the park but in fact it's a track, only the sawmill offers interest before arriving at the delightful village. Another inn which appeared to be open but not over run with custom. The village was full of parked cars, parents waiting to meet children who were busy in the playground practicing their Maypole dance.

The paths from Shirley got busier approaching Ashbourne perhaps caused by the caravan site near the crossing of the bypass road. It's then estate road walking and down Old Hill for a safe road crossing to reach the meeting point.

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