BelperDerby

Belder one
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 83.33% of reviewers

By a Slow Ways Volunteer on 07 Apr 2021


Distance

15km/9mi

Ascent

219m

Descent

240m

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Description

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Belper and Derby.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Belper and Derby.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

Status

This route has been reviewed by 6 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Belder one

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.


Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 6

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (6)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 40

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 4X based on 2 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 2 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Maybe present Public toilet (1)
Maybe present Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Maybe present Vegan restaurant (1)
Maybe present Accommodation (1)
Maybe present Accommodation < £50 (1)
Maybe present Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Maybe present Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Maybe present Very slippery (1)
Maybe present Very muddy (1)
Maybe present Very icy (1)
Present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Maybe present Locked gates (1)
Maybe present Disables access gates (1)
Present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Not present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Maybe present Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Not present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 30.0cm (2)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 29.0% (2)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 31.0% (2)

The steepest camber gradient across the path 28.0% (2)

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places (2)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

6.0% of the route is on roads (2)

27.0% of the route is lit at night (2)

55.0% of the route is paved (2)

17.0% of the route is muddy (2)

3.0% of the route is over rough ground (2)

6.0% of the route is through long grass (2)

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2 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

4X August 2021 by AF63
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4X August 2024 by AF63
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Belper
Grid Ref SK3467847437
Lat / Lon 53.02313° / -1.48445°
Easting / Northing 434,678E / 347,437N
What3Words manual.gobblers.squashes
Derby
Grid Ref SK3554236166
Lat / Lon 52.92176° / -1.47281°
Easting / Northing 435,542E / 336,166N
What3Words issues.trade.vibrates

Belder One's land is

Arable 10.1%
Green urban 11.9%
Pasture 38.9%
Urban 39.2%

Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018

reviews


StephenWalker

21 May 2023 Spring

I enjoyed this route. I walked from Derby. Straight forward navigation and easy to follow on the ground. Two 'problems' :
Where the path follows a riverside path east of the Silk Mill, the route is temporarily blocked by barriers, and you need to use the road underpass instead.
Immediately after passing under the A38 in the farm bridge/tunnel, the waymarks should be followed to the right, and then immediately right again to climb to road level. The rail crossing shown on the 1:25000 map no longer exists.


Ken

26 Apr 2023 Spring

An enjoyable walk with good views, lots of interest. Opportunities for stops along the way and bail out buses. Steps, stiles and cattle and some mud along these well walked paths.

I walked towards Derby so sort of down hill but a climb to high ground leaving Belper which could be reduced by staying on the Derwent Valley Heritage Way to miss out Springwood Cottage.

The stone stiles and steps at the Shaw Lane crossing make an attractive setting with a backdrop of Bluebells in April. An inn at Makeney offers a popular spot for a break.

A section of pavement walking with good views into the valley bottom to another inn at Duffield bridge. Back on field paths across meadow before reaching the old mill converted to residential use.

Another section of pavement then a double back. It's not the first well walked path, our path has a sign. In error I took the first path but that did give me a preview of the correct path and an opportunity for a picture.

At Little Eaton our path passes behind the church to meet the old main road where there are shops, cafe, another inn and I'm told a butcher who does a good bacon cob. More pavement walking takes us past information marking the canal and tramway.

The Slow Way takes a footpath across waste ground which has many paths so keep a close eye on the plotted route which ends at a large pile of concrete from a demolition site before steps lead up to the busy but safe roadside.

More steps or a loop to reach a huge bridge to safely pass under the road then follow the riverside path because the definitive line is invisible across perfect turf. We eventually meet a road and turn right into Darley Abbey Mills an interesting complex. A cycle track offers an alternative route south but we cross the river over a new footbridge along the course of the condemned toll bridge.

The settlement of Darley Abbey is worth this minor detour but I don't think the Slow Way offers the best route to Derby, paths through the park by the river would be a better choice. A part of the riverside path was closed but the detour was simple although not signed. The final approach to the meeting place offers the best of Derby's riverside.


Lynn Jackson

03 Jun 2022 (edited 07 Oct 2022) Spring

ROUTE UPDATE:
Due to structural issues, the Darley Abbey bridge is closed to pedestrians until July at the earliest. This will be reviewed in July after emergency repairs have taken place.

ROUTE UPDATE 2: 07/10/22
Darley Abbey bridge has been fixed and reopened.


Lynn Jackson

26 Nov 2021 Autumn

I walked this route from Belper to Derby on an overcast day which threatened rain.

I like the route, it is straightforward, except for the A38 bridge (described in detail in the survey and AF63’s review) which I will mention below.

The other two reviews have covered the route very well. I would like to add a few observations.

The start of the walk at Belper (photo 1) is less than 100 metres from a great little café called The Filling Station (next to the bus station) where you can get a superb breakfast for a very reasonable price (what3words: ///will.online.dunk).

As you leave Belper there is a sharp right turn into what appears to be a private driveway (‘Springfield Cottage’ - ///summaries.towel.orders). Although there is no sign, this is the public footpath to the first stile. Keep to the right of the drive and you will see the path on the right of the garage. Walk through to the stile.

At Makeney, the white panel gate at the bottom of the horse field (///staple.fork.talent) is mentioned on the survey, but I forgot once I was there and I didn’t recognize it as a gate. I’ve added photo 4 as a visual reminder.

The footpath confusion happens again at ‘Ruth’s Hill’ (officially called Red Hill) as you walk into Little Eaton (///bats.prove.sprint) – photo 5. This is also a public footpath, so ignore the sign into the cemetery – walk up the drive until you see steps facing you (the drive curves left). Walk down the steps to continue into Little Eaton.

We now come to the A38 bridge that crosses the trainline near Allestree. As AF63 explained there is confusion in the route for takes you on a confusing and unnecessary circuit before the underpass. The steps at ///brass.grabs.vanish will take you directly to the underpass, thus avoiding the circular walk. (Note, as you can only access the bridge by climbing steps, it seems a little pointless to avoid steps to get off the bridge.)

Past the underpass you will come across turf fields. Although the gpx route suggests that you walk through them, it will not add to your journey to walk along the side path next to the turf (photo 7).

Regarding the fork in the path before the Derby Rugby Club. The visual clue to forking from the gravel path onto the footpath is the wooden shed within the dog training enclosure (photo 8).

Overall, the walk was an enjoyable one and easily completed in an afternoon.


AF63

09 Aug 2021 Summer

I enjoyed this walk, much of it coinciding with the Derwent Valley Heritage Way, and with varied countryside including some pleasant views. There were reminders of the history of the area, and the weir at Darley Abbey is spectacular.
Refreshment possibilities exist at Makeney, Duffield, Little Eaton and Darley Abbey. There is a nice small garden area with seating in the centre of Little Eaton, which I found perfect for a lunch-break.
Some 900 metres of the walk is on the roadway of roads which don’t have pavements or verges but these roads tended to be fairly quiet, such as in small villages. A third of the route was on pavements beside roads but none of this was felt to be a problem, including the 180 metres on pavement beside the A38 dual-carriageway.
One field had two horses in, but they took no notice of me. In a few places the path was being encroached upon for a distance by long grass up to shoulder-high, which had to be pushed aside. I imagine there might be a risk from ticks so it might be worth taking precautions.
An option exists to shorten the route by 340 metres near the A38, details are in my photo survey. The section between the A38 and Darley Abbey is on a flood plain, being not far from the River Derwent, so that could possibly restrict the walk after severe weather.
The route is well served by public transport, convenient for both ends of the route at Derby and Belper. For transport to intermediate points on the route, there are bus stops 550 metres off the route at Duffield for services from Derby or Belper. Bus stops on the route in Little Eaton serve Derby and other places in the direction of Hucknall.


Brian in Belper

13 May 2021 Spring

The route is very direct, easy to walk and holds a lot of historical interest, as it mainly follows the The Derwent Valley Heritage Way.
The Derwent Valley Mills and the River Derwent was designated a World Heritage Site in December 2001 and this route starts in the mill town of Belper and passes more mills at Milford, Duffield Bank and finally, the Silk Mill (Museum) at Derby.
The route includes a section of road walking but there is a safe pavement. There are alternative routes between Belper and Derby but they would require more elevation gain and would possibly not hold the same historic interest.


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Other Routes for Belper—Derby See all Slow Ways

Belper—Derby

Belder two

Distance

14km/9mi

Ascent

199 m

Descent

220 m

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