Bakdro two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Bakdro here.

NOTE: ADD PHOTO LAYER ON MAP TO SEE LOCATIONS ALONG THE ROUTE>>

Summary:

Most of Bakdro 2 deserves its 5 stars, sadly the last mile into Bakewell through woodland has been badly damaged by storms and is difficult to negotiate in good weather; it would be dangerous in the rain.

I got to Dronfield by train and left the station to initially follow the same route as Hatdro 3, through a small wood. This quickly turned off the Hatdro course, continuing up a road leading left and onto a footpath going through residential streets (photo 1). The streets didn’t last long and I quickly joined country lanes (photo 2) to get on my way.

The route to Holmesfield was pleasant, through woodland, fields and a little pavement road walking, but I would advise walking through Holmesfield itself, as the breath-taking view as you turn the corner to get back onto fields is worth it (photo 4, you will see the church on your right first – photo 3).

I walked though sheep fields and more woodland to get to the ford at Milthorpe. I crossed the ford over the little bridge and took the second footpath on the right and continued on my way to Moorhall via Johnnygate Lane.

The small road from Moorhall opened out onto moorland (photo 5). It doesn’t have pavements and cars do use it and so I had to keep my eyes open and occasionally switch sides as the westerly verge disappeared once or twice. The nice surprise was the cottage garden that had obviously been planted along 5 metres of verge and contained dahlias, roses, and hollyhocks still in full bloom! (photo 6).

A short walk along the covered pavement on the A621 and a short walk up Clodhall Lane and I was on the path to Baslow, passing Wellington’s Monument and going to the top of Bar Road (photos 7 and 8).

Bar Road took me into Baslow, where a small shop, café (unused but open) and toilets allowed for a short break.

From Baslow I walked straight into Chatsworth where there were sheep for as far as the eye could see (photo 9). No special events were taking place on this day, but the huge fountain was working and I could see in plainly as I walked past Chatsworth House.

It was a straightforward walk into Edensor, past the church (photo 10) and up the lane that turned into a hollow way – a steady but gentle climb to the top of the hill where I came upon an inscribed 18th Century guidestone, showing the way to Bakewell, Chesterfield and Sheffield (photo 11).

The humpback road that I had to walk was a slight worry but no cars appeared on the lane and so I walked onward until I got to Manners Wood where the lane turned right, this gave the first hint of the problems to come. I could see that a large branch of a tree had fallen across the lane and work had taken place to cut the branch up and clear the lane of debris (photo 12), hiding the path in the process.
A few steps beyond the timber and I could see the path (photo 13) and so I got onto the path and worked my way downhill.

The path got progressively worse, with deep gullies where storm water had carved it up (photo 14). A strange zig-zag glitch in the GPX at the top of the path didn’t help as it pointed to a non-existent path. I used the path that I could see but it was in such poor condition that I returned up the hill, sure that I was on the wrong path. But no, I was on the only path down (OS Maps confirmed this) and I scrambled and slithered my way down, grateful that I had trekking poles with me. The only relief was the small part across the Bakewell golf course before plunging back into the woods.

And so, after a muddy trip down I got to the bottom of the hill (photo 15) and heaved a sigh of relief as I found the tarmacked road to take me back to Bakewell, later than expected.

The last mile spoiled what was otherwise a great walk. The damage to the path was so extensive that I wonder how it’s going to be repaired. If you choose to walk this route I would advise walking along Handley Lane into Bakewell as I can’t guarantee what you’ll find in the woods.

(General note: the GPX file is labelled ‘Bakdro-3’, not Bakdro-2.).

This could be described as a valleys walk but don't be misled, this is across valleys, not along them. Starting, as I did, from the Wye at Bakewell, a popular tourist town, the route takes a steep climb to avoid roads. This ascent can be lessened but extended along the quiet road which we meet at the summit. The almost deserted tarmac is a welcome break to take in the views before branching off to descend along a loose stone track.

The B6012 is a popular through road and one of my favourite drives but taking this Slow Way offers a different perspective and that all important commodity, time to stop, stare and soak up the scene. It's easy to criticise the apparent obscene profits that were disproportionately distributed in the past but here at Chatsworth we do have significant free access to appreciate where the money went. Edensor is the real thing when compared with Portmeirion created by Clough Williams-Ellis. There are seats in the churchyard and a discrete tea shop here.

Leaving this original 'gated village' we cross the busy road to join a winding surfaced public footpath which offers an excellent view of the house as we approach the bridge over the Derwent our second valley. After crossing the bridge we head north on a well walked, and again public footpath to Baslow which I have used many times so feel able to review.

On the day of my visit the public path was officially closed with a diversion in place across part of the estate that may not normally be open to the public so I rather enjoyed this permitted well signed trespass along the opposite bank of the river. It offered a good, if distant, view of the horse event from the higher ground alongside some stunning Copper Beech trees. I hoped we would not follow this side of the river to Baslow Bridge but could see no existing bridge for us to cross.

Eventually I arrived at the crossing point where a floating bridge had been provided, from here a link was possible via The Nursery but this event was huge so our route continued up a track passing fields laid out for dressage practice before a field gate directed me eastwards meeting a public path at the rear of the hotel. From here it directed me back onto the planned route to approach Baslow.

This area of Baslow has two pubs, a cafe, public loos, buses and a smaller cafe / shop plus seats on the green area. The village shop and Post Office are a little further along the route. Baslow, like so much land around here, is on the boundary of two Dukedoms and the Co-op store, off our route, was once The Rutland Arms. From The Green in Devonshire territory we take Eaton Hill then The Bar. At this turn we are close to the Post Office / shop. The climb continues but the surface is better than I remember and at the top a seat offers a rest and view back to Chatsworth and all the tents and cars at the event.

This is now the summit plateau of the walk across access moorland with no sign of additional useful paths. The main road is busy with a walked if narrow overgrown footpath but this is short and the next road is fairly quiet. Time to take things easy and admire the view.

At Shillito Wood there is a choice of routes, I had considered the bridleway to Car Lane or there is the road used by Bakdro but the road was so quiet I pressed on to Moorhall where I found the restricted byway to be in good repair and an enjoyable walking route to the Cordwell Valley at Millthorpe. Here a village history board tells us more including about the local legend, rambler, GHB Ward.

From here we embark on the third significant climb, the smallest but still reaching 850 feet. Bakdro slices the top of this peak but misses Holmesfield where there are two more inns. The exit footpath link is a challenge equal to the best laid out maze but it avoids a short busy road which has no pavement. The bridleway passing Kitchen Wood is generally a good surface and down hill to meet the much expanded Dronfield at Gosforth Valley where there is an option to get a bus for the weary walker. From here I walked my previously planned Bakdro-2 but now feel a need for a Bakdro-3 but I didn't walk that way so it will have to wait.

It's now generally down hill through housing, taking in a high footbridge over the busy bypass. Yet again I pass the rear of the shopping and civic centre of Dronfield only explored, by me, using Google Street View, one day I should make a real visit to this mini Milton Keynes of the north, I may discover it would make a better meeting place. The station and train line sit in the bottom of our last valley drained by the River Drone, which is Dron not a flying object.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.