Bakdar two

Verified Slow Way

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I walked this route from Bakewell to Darley Dale. Overall, it's a very good walk.

Leaving Bakewell, I wish the route stuck to the paths behind town that cross the foobridge over the Wye rather than the road bridge. Then, down Coombs Road all the way as it slowly narrows to a farm track and then a comfortable footpath. Simple to navigate and comfortable to walk all the way to Rowsley.

After a short road section is a lovely walk along the Derwent and the Peak Railway all the way into Darley Dale.

Easy to navigate, great views of the surroundings on the stretch between Bakewell and Rowsley especially, comfortable surfaces for walking, overall a great route!.

Walked from Bakewell to Rowsley mid March and then April Rowsley to Darley Dale (forgot my camera for that stretch).
No obstacles. Gates at intervals between Bakewell and Rowsley, but all could be opened along the back road with no through traffic..

All weather walking all the way - tarmac and surfaced tracks and paths.

Bakewell-Rowsley was a bit sad to see the unmaintained hedges and fields with too many sheep and pheasants bitten down to a green wasteland around the back of Haddon Hall estate - would have hoped for better. Views were nice though.

Rowsley-Darley Dale (and the same onwards to Matlock on Darmat) is flat following the river and railway line. A bit monotonous unless on a bicycle, but direct and easy and used by locals getting around on foot. If weather is good, no mobility issues and the walker not in a hurry there are lots of alternative ways to make it a little longer but much prettier.

Bakewell, Rowsley and Darley Dale are all well connected by buses and have facilities - in Rowsley Peak Village. in Darley Dale a great cafe and toilets at the Whitworth Centre. And from Rowsley South there is a steam train at Peak Rail that takes you through to Darley Dale an Matlock where a normal train service can take you to Derby.

Walked from Darley Dale to Bakewell as the middle part of a long three route walk from Matlock to Hathersage. A fairly easy and direct route, no major issues, though the cycle track along the old railway is a little dull, and I prefer the field/riverside path from Darley Dale to Rowsley and there are more interesting ways to do the final walk into Bakewell than along the roads.

Starting at the meeting point at Darley Dale, we cross Station Road and walk down a short way before turning right into the park. There are more paths in the park than the OS map shows, so it is worth looking at the OpenStreetMap version to find the shortest line down to the track alongside the heritage railway - the GPX file is a little vague. Once on the railway path, just follow the NCN signs as far as the car park at the old Rowsley station - do not continue beyond the entrance into the car park - we leave the old railway here and continue into Rowsley on the pavement of the A6. There is no need to cross the road until the pelican crossing beyond the Derwent bridge unless you are desperate to stop at the pub opposite, and there is another pub just beyond the crossing.

At Rowsley we turn right and follow Church Lane up the hill and continue along the track beyond, following the bridleway signs. The only place where one can go wrong is the junction of Coombs Road and Park Road - we take the right turn onto Coombs Road, which has a rough gravel surface until beyond Coombs Farm. We follow the road to its end near Bakewell Bridge, and turn left following the road up to the Bakewell meeting point.
[I did something slightly more interesting here, having done the road route earlier this year - I prefer the path that leads around the car park and crosses two footbridges (the second of which is covered in padlock love tokens) to enter Bakewell along Granby Road].

Overall, this is a pleasant, direct and straightforward walk.

An easy walk of two parts, well plotted, along tracks, no cattle, no stiles. The north section offers a wide track, gentle climb and some cycles. Wonderful countryside and some well placed seats. The southern section is easy flat walking along a cycle track fenced in at times and with less interest unless trains are operating. Refreshments at Rowley. South of Rowsley there is an alternative path, signed Derwent Valley Heritage Way, alongside the river. From Rowsley South this is a definitive foootpath to Churchtown. These pass through fields, are longer and do flood but offer an open cycle free field walk.

I walked Bakewell to Darley Dale on a fine day. Meeting place appears to be on roundabout but seats close by look perfect. The exit along Coombes Road was fine but verge parking could make the road busier at certain times. After passing under the bridge, from where the Monsal Trail heads north, the track surface becomes compacted stone with some running water, rather than the smooth macadam. The track also starts to climb offering good views into a valley, not the one used by the road so it's also peaceful. After the meeting of other tracks another short climb then it's down into Rowsley along a smooth stoned track shared with farm traffic. Some well placed useful seats along the way. Services in Rowsley including a Post Office. Heading south the route follows the old rail route, now a surfaced and level cycle route with just a few deviations. It's easy walking but no seats and not to my taste especially as there were no trains running alongside to offer interest. Church Inn at Churchtown offered a break because I was heading for Matlock. The final cut off through the park is a little earlier than plotted but easy to find. The meeting place is good outside the Whitworth Institute (Sir Joseph Whitworth invetor of the Whitworth screw thread), next to a Co-op store and handy for buses.

Leaving Bakewell on the flat on a lane to the rear of the show ground it continues until the first appearance of the old Midland Railway route to Manchester at the quite impressive bridge the road becomes a good solid track rising gradually with view back towards Bakewell past Combs Farm the track worsens slightly to its highest point to the rear of Hadden Hall, at this point there are several paths the one to follow is the wider one to your left proceeding forward towards Rowsley. This again is a good track with seats rising slightly at first with views over the valley towards Stanton and forward towards Rowsley it becomes a limestone track decending all the way to Rowsley where it joins a lane just above the church coming out on the A6 adjacent to the Peacock Hotel, several choices of refreshment or drinks are available in Rowsley. Crossing the A6 turning left continue then turn right into the old station approach and enter the carpark to your right to join the cycle track which forms the route to Darley Dale.
This again is a good surface passing the old Rowsley sidings with the river to your right. Crossing Harrison Drive on a slight dogleg to your left you rejoin this cycle path which now follows the heritage Peak Rail to Church lane crossing here another choice is available for a stop at the church Inn. The path continues along the railway to Darley Dale Station or a slight deveation where the path narrows takes you into Whitworth Park to the rear of the Whitworth institute, both ways lead onto the road up to the end of the walk. To sum up it is safe can be done in most weathers the first part to Rowsley is not strenuous but is scenic the 2nd to Darley is very easy but not really inspiring would be better when the trains are running.

Good route for either walking or biking.

Bakewell to Combes road is very accessible, from the end of combes road to Rowsley is a rough finished green lane, easy enough by foot, also fine by mountain bike or hybrid bike (to rough for a road bike!), possible by off road buggy but only for the adventurous who don't mind a bumpy ride!! Rowsley to Darley Dale is very accessible along the trail, perfect for walking, biking, buggies and wheel chairs.

I have given 4 stars not 5 due to the rough green lane between Combes Road and Rowsley meaning in is not really accessible by wheel chair.

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