Belrip one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Walked from Belper to Ripley. A good route with a few muddy sections and quite a few ups and downs. Some stiles so not suitable for wheels.

From Belper, we start east up King Street. It is best to stay on the left side because there is a pelican crossing over High Street that side and the crossing on the right is trickier. We then cross the Market Place and enter a car park, where steps lead into Belper Park. Crossing Coppice Brook, we take the wide track left out to Mlll Lane, then go right up the hill to an oddly large road junction, where we turn left into Kirk Lane, which soon becomes a narrow farm track. We pass a farm and shortly afterwards head downhill on a path through fields to another farm, where we go straight on down another farm lane then right along another. The field path passes through one gateway where deep mud can be unavoidable, then climbs steeply uphill to reach Sandbed Lane, where we turn left. It is best to use the right pavement because there is a pelican crossing over the busy Kilburn Lane by the Black Bulls Head pub.

We go straight on up Over Lane and right along Overwood Lane then right again (using the fenced path just left of the Hilltop Farm lane), then down the lane to cross the A38 on a bridge. Immediately beyond we take the good path left parallel to the main road, which becomes an open field path beyond a lane to the right. The best trodden line cuts the corner at the far end missing out two stiles, and below the wood we join another lane, which we follow up to Street Lane, which has a good pavement on the far side. We turn left up the hill then go down the signposted lane by Marehay Farm into a wood. Where the track turns right we go straight on on a narrower path which leads us out of the wood. Beyond we are in muddy cow pastures, but a little careful navigation should lead you to Ford Close on the edge of Ripley easily enough. The route through Ripley looks twisty on the map but gets us to the bus stops by the market place efficiently, passing a small Co-Op and a hospital.

I walked this route from Ripley. The route leaves downhill along quiet residential roads. Eventually we reach field paths which take us to 'Street Lane'. We follow along the roadside to the other end of the settlement before heading off southwestwards along a stony track. At the bottom of the hill we follow a path diverted along the side of the A38 to get to the track which crosses the overbridge and climbs to Hilltop Farm. From here there is a clear path and quiet road to Openwoodgate (pub). From the junction we pass along Sandbed Lane to reach a RoW hading between the houses to open fields. It drops steeply to a rough track where we turn west. When i crossed here on Belhea there was a agressive horse here (and I had to walk round the roads). I'm pleased to report on this occasion there were docile cattle. Soon after we turn southwest at anothr path junction and follow through to the roadside. We cross the road to enter the park and follow good tracks downhill to reach the car park on High Pavement. From here its a short walk through the town centre to the hub. This is a nice route with good views and no navigational challenges.

I walked this one Ripley to Belper. Some cattle in the fields but no bashing through crops. Areas can be very muddy especially around gates and stiles.

Barnes Wallis was born in Ripley and they named a pub after the bouncing bomb inventor but the site is being redeveloped for housing. A Co-op offer a chance to stock up on drink and energy bars or if walking into Ripley take away food is available.

The ground across to Ryknild Street is either muddy or rock hard and rutted with animal hoofs or tractors. The Inn at Street Lane now has alternative use so don't start salivating no services here.

A track offers easy walking before a stretch alongside the busy A38 don't worry you are in the field and we hope the traffic stays the other side of the fence. The view to the east transports us to wilderness if we plug our ears.

Openwoodgate on the fringe of Belper offers an Inn and a Co-op before skirting around the sprawling town through green fields shared with cattle. How long before this walk is along estate roads? The final approach is very pleasant through Belper Parks. Don't ask why it's plural.

Crossing the car park brings us into the Market Place where 28 often has public events and The Angels Micro Pub is worth a visit, limited opening hours.

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.