Borilk one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Walked from Ilkeston to Borrowash. An enjoyable walk, with a few stiles and steps and quite a lot of unsurfaced paths, some of them a little slippery after rain.

From the Ilkeston meeting point, cross South Street at the pelican crossing and turn right, then left down Albert Street, heading across Queens Drive and Derby Road onto Belper Street. Turn right down Union Road and follow it round the corner onto Dale View, Derbyshire Drive and Spinney Road. At the bottom of a dip take the alley right then turn left onto the Spinney, which leads down to the A6096. We turn right here. Do not cross the road - the pavement on the south side is not continuous, and there is a pelican crossing near the junction in Kirk Hallam. Here we go right down St Norberts Drive and left up Kenilworth Drive to the top of the hills (there are shops just off route on the right). Turn left down Deepdale Drive (a tree lined quiet dual carriageway) and cross the green at the bottom onto Wirksworth Road.

A gap leads into the Pioneer Meadows Nature Reserve, which we cross to a little bridge over Sow Brook, which we cross and turn right along an unsurfaced field path. This is mostly easy to follow, but has a few stiles. A large open field near Furnace Pond leads up to a farm lane which takes us up to Dale Road, where we head straight on up the lane until we reach a signposted field path on the right, which crosses more stiles and takes us to Potato Pit Lane, above the path to Dale Abbey (it is a bit of a shame this route couldn't contrive to visit the Hermitage). We go left up the lane then straight on. At the next junction, where there is a cafe, take the gated bridleway straight on, following it past Keys Farm to Waterloo Plantation. The path right is just beyond a farm track, and takes us around the edge of the grounds of Hopwood Hall to an obvious lane that heads right across fields. The left turn from this is also clearly visible, and we follow this path, crossing a few more stiles, to reach Ockbrook.

We turn left up Cole Lane, and leave it to cross the A52 bridge on the right. The descent right off the bridge has a flight of steps. The path follows the main road a short distance then crosses fields left to emerge on Priorway Avenue, where we turn right and follow the road to Ock Brook. Just before the bridge, a path heads right and follows the brook through parkland and across Balmoral Road to reach Nottingham Road, where we turn right to reach the Borrowash meeting point.

I walked Borrowash to Ilkeston on a fine afternoon after a very wet morning. The paths were slippery in places but no serious mud. There is a mix of excellent surfaced paths and tracks, paths across arable fields and some pasture with cattle. There are stiles and steps. The route is generally well walked and easy to follow, the plot is first class. A five star Slow Way although I felt that the route at Kirk Hallam climbing up Deepdale Drive was unnecessary, there are shops just off route up there but I would recommend taking the gentle descent along St Norbert Drive instead. The short section of the busy Derby road can't be avoided, cross at the lights onto the north side for a better pavement. It's then a steady climb and interesting back street approach to the bus stands close to the Meeting place and Market Place.

This is a very pleasant route taking in parks, woods and farmland as well as residential streets. The farmland route is well maintained and clearly laid out, I was able to see all paths across fields as I walked, all parts were easy to access.

Breakfast stop before the walk was at Katie's Kitchen (W3W ///crumple.spicy.persuade) - lovely staff and a lovely breakfast!.

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