This is a varied and well thought out route which includes two significant climbs. I thoroughly enjoyed the route but there are features that might deter some users. It requires some care in navigation and a map is strongly recommended. Surfaces vary from pavements and cycleways to grassland and rough moorland. There are several stiles including a step stile over a high stone wall. I walked much of the central section of the route in very dry conditions in late April 2021, and am familiar with the remainder.
Starting in Chesterfield town centre, where there are plenty of refreshment options, the route crosses a footbridge into Queen’s Park then follows quiet urban roads through a former industrial area. After passing next to the disused Walton Mill the route emerges alongside a Morrisons supermarket before crossing Walton Road at a pelican crossing. The route then follows a well surfaced footpath and cycleway alongside a lake, through woodland and across Somersall Park before crossing Somersall Lane and leaving Chesterfield. The footpath to Holymoorside is clear, level and well used. It crosses grassland which is sometimes grazed by cattle. It can become very muddy after wet weather.
There is a shop near the route at Holymoorside. From here the route climbs out of the village along Loads Road before branching off along farm tracks and across fields towards the small settlement of Upper Loads where it joins Claypit Lane, a minor road with little traffic. At the end of Claypit Lane the route briefly joins a busier road with fast moving traffic. There is a grassy verge but no pavement. It then crosses a stile onto heather covered moorland. The next section is level and waymarked, but the path is narrow and uneven. This is the most remote part of the walk and has no shade or shelter. This path ends at a stone wall enclosing woodland near to the Bronze Age burial mound of Hobb Hurst ‘s House. The route then turns down Harland Edge, a short steep section which was dry at the time of walking but is usually waterlogged. After passing through a gate the path levels off and crosses a wooden bridge to an unsignposted junction. Here the route forks left – the right fork leads eventually to Chatsworth House which offers toilets and refreshments but is off the direct route. The path continues across rough grassland before dropping down to a wider path and a high stone stile over a wall.
After the stile the route turns downhill onto a track which is initially very uneven but becomes a surfaced road serving Beeley Hilltop Farm. There is very little traffic. At the bottom of the hill it meets the busy B6012 through Chatsworth Park where it is necessary to walk a short distance along a narrow verge to reach a stone bridge over the River Derwent. After the bridge there is a short climb through woodland to reach Calton Lees car park. The nearby garden centre has toilets available to walkers and accessible from outside the building. It also has a coffee shop. From here the route follows a minor road which skirts the small village of Calton Lees before becoming a well surfaced track. This is a popular walking route and also provides road access to some Chatsworth Estate properties, though traffic is very sparse. It is a long uphill section which zig zags steeply towards the top. After passing between some cottages the gradient eases and the route continues across open grassland where sheep may be grazing. Finally it turns steeply downhill onto a sometimes muddy path through Manners Wood before crossing a golf course to reach the edge of Bakewell. From here the route continues downhill on pavements to reach the centre of the town.
Bakewell is a popular tourist centre with lots of options for refreshments and accommodation. However it does get very busy at peak times.

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