Belhea one

Verified Slow Way

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I walked this route from Heanor at the beginning of March. It had been dry for about a month until the couple of days before, even so many of the field paths (and particularly gateways) were wet and muddy. The route out of Heanor is alongside quiet roads. Once we reach open fields the path is well defined and the scenery very nice. I would agree with previous reviewers about the state of the paths in places and the way in which the actual paths are not where the 1:25k map shows them, especially across the land restored after opencast. Towards the end (just after the steep descent out of Openwoodgate) I had an incident with a horse. I was pushed and the horse was very unsettled. (It wasn't just inquisitive). I retreated and went round the roads. Not much further (and judging by previous reports, a lot cleaner !). Overall, a pleasant countryside walk with some good views.

Walked from Heanor to Belper on a winter morning after a lot of rain, which meant it was very wet and muddy. A good direct route, with a lot of field paths, quite pretty in places, but hard work when wet.

Leaving the meeting point in Heanor market place, we head west along Market Street then left onto Ray Street, which leads us to Derby Road, where it is best to turn left down and cross using the pelican crossing by the Baptist Church. We take a lane right which leads us to Sovereign Way, which we follow left to a small roundabout where we turn right into Peatburn Avenue. Our route is reached via a cul de sac on the left, and we are soon in muddy fields and stiles. There is one awkward spot where we descend a stepped path to a plank bridge, and the way forward passes through a narrow gap between two tree trunks (I had to take the rucksack off to get through), with barbed wire fences on both sides. We cross more fields to reach a very wet farm lane which takes us to Denby Common through a farmyard where the path is poorly marked so navigation requires a degree of confidence.

Here we turn left, then right in front of the Bulls Head (which is now open again), crossing more muddy fields and even muddier wooded sections to emerge on the fields above the Denby factory, then past Smithy Houses to emerge on Ryknield Hill by the Derby Road junction. We cross Derby Road on a pelican crossing and go a short distance up Station Road, taking the old road left to Park Hall Road where we turn right.

Just before Park Hall we take a path left through a wood, which leads to more wet fields. Beyond the wooded stream we join a better path which crosses the A38 on a bridge and continues past Hilltop Farm into Openwoodgate, where we take the road straight on. It is best to stay on the left (south) pavement because there is a pelican crossing over Kilburn Lane on this side. We go straight on along Sandbed Lane, then take the footpath which goes steeply down fields, then turns left and follows field edges to a very wet muddy lane. We turn left on a track that leads back up the hill and becomes a field path that eventually reaches a better path that goes right down the hill. Beyond Cherry Hill Farm we go right and cross another field (one of the field boundaries shown on the 1:25000 map has gone) to reach a narrow paved path which becomes muddier as it follows Coppice Brook down to Park Side, where we turn right along the pavement and climb another hill, continuing straight on and steeply down High Pavement to reach the market place. We head straight on down King Street, which leads to the Belper meeting point on Chapel Street just north of the bus garage.

Beautiful and direct route with some great views and a range of terrains. Very wet and muddy this time of year, and not all paths through fields are immediately clear. Lots of stiles so not accessible for wheelchairs. Some nice animals on the way including sheep, horses and cows.

I walked this route Heanor to Belper and found it most enjoyable through green countryside with some good views mostly grass fields so some livestock and stiles. It's direct and well plotted. This is a good linear walk for residents of Derby or Ripley as buses from the two centres serve each end of the walk. Not much in the way of services on route but at only 7 miles plenty of shops, pubs and refreshments at either end.

Inevitably some urban walking to exit Heanor but an opportunity to pick up Slow way users. The fields are entered at the end of a new housing cul-de-sac which would be difficult to locate without knowledge. The path is well made but poorly maintained. Entering the field is entering another world good grass and distant views, a family were attempting to fly a kite as I passed. It's a bit depressing to imagine these fields are the next to accommodate houses, still enjoy them while we can.

The route is well plotted so follow it to Denby Common with confidence. The Bull Inn here was closed awaiting new tenants or conversion so don't rely on it for a drink. The section to Smithy Houses is across land that was open cast for coal many years ago, it must have been difficult to reinstate the landscape after such devastation. The Coal Board made an effort and then asked Derbyshire CC to inspect and approve but something went wrong and not all the paths are where they should be, so take care on this section. The alignment is not far out but you can't rely on the map, follow the path trod by the locals.

A minor detour to Denby Pottery will provide a tea shop in opening hours. Another minor detour after Smithy Houses offers sight of the Listed Park Hall. Openwoodgates provides an Inn and co-op store. A wonderful view over the sprawling houses of Belper then through fields that again appear to be just waiting for the developer to move in.

The final approach could be via the pleasant green area of Belper Parks rather than along the road but not worth submitting a revised route. Either way I ended the walk at The Angel Micro Pub in the Market Place before getting the bus back home.

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