Darche one

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I walked from Chesterfield to Darley Dale. I can’t really improve on the excellent earlier reviews. This is a lovely route. The paths are clear, although there was an area of boggy ground around Darley Forest Grange and a little care is needed here.

My only particular comment is regarding the walk down Sydnope Road on the way into Two Dales. I began the walk down the road to the footpath, but without a pavement I found the many passing cars too close to be safe. Instead I walked back up the hill and walked down Denacre Lane on the right (see photo). This is a quiet road and only took 10 minutes to walk along, coming out onto the Chesterfield Road and pavements. Other than that the route is safe.

Walked from Chesterfield to Matlock. Mostly enjoyable, a few minor niggles.

Using the footbridge into Queens Park is a good choice, but the route via the Town Hall has steps and there is a shorter easier route with no steps through the market place. We follow the south side of the lake through the park, then follow streets with pavements and one short alleyway through an industrial area, passing a large Morrisons store before crossing the A632 to the start of the Hipper Valley cycleway, which takes us through an area of parkland.

At Somersall Road we turn left, then take the signposted path right through the fields to Holymoorside. There were cows here but they were fairly docile. The pub in Holymoorside is the last facility before Darley Dale. We follow Loads Road uphill, then take the bridleway (Dennis's Lane) right further uphill. This bridlepath is becoming very overgrown with bracken and a few stray bramble shoots, and it is clearly quite some time since any horses have used it. The path does have good views, and it improves once we are on the descent through the wood. No problems with mud in summer conditions.

A short section of quiet road walking takes us to Hungerhill Road, another old lane now more of a footpath, that descends to the Hipper and climbs quite steeply to join a farm road higher up, which we follow out to Darley Road. Take care on this short section of road, which is fairly fast and busy. There are verges, but they are not that comfortable to walk on. We turn left onto Cullumbell Lane, then right a short distance onto Alice Head Lane, then left again onto Peasunhurst Lane.

The route through Peasunhurst Farm is a little confusing in this direction, so keep a close eye on the map, and you should see the sign for the field path to Wilkin House, which crosses a sheep pasture between two small lakes. Aim for the main gate in front of the farm buildings. Another field path takes us out to Hodge Lane, where we turn right and follow the lane to its end on Darley Road. I wouldn't call the right of way straight on a path, as the only signs of it are the stiles at each end. Beyond Screetham Lane there is an arable field with no sign of a cut path, so I just made my own way straight across. A rough cow pasture is easier, though there is no real path and there are sections that may be quite boggy when wet. We then follow field edges under trees and cross one more field to reach Flash Lane, where we turn left.

From here on navigation is easy, but as Ken says the lower part of Back Lane is theoretically closed - still safe enough on foot but the deep central defile in the road surface gouged out by storm water is rather impressive. I did find the short road walk down Sydnope Hill (the B5057) a little disconcerting, as the road was very busy on a weekday mid afternoon, lots of white vans. The shortcut path is very steep, with a handrail and a few steps near the bottom, but does at least reduce the road walking. When we rejoin the road, the rest is an easy pavement walk, and there is a pelican crossing over the A6 by the Darley Dale meeting point.

I had not expected much from this, an unnecessary duplication of Matche, how wrong I was. This is a great country walk, mostly easy terrain and navigation. Short sections of road that need care but most are quiet lanes. Cattle in one field and a path across one cropped field. Most paths are walled old lanes. No services of note.

I walked from Darley Dale. Road pavement starts the route through an interesting stone built village. A steep, stepped path cuts a corner off the road but then a short road walk with no pavement or verge, consideration from drivers and care from us is required.

Back Lane, a Byway Open to all Traffic (BOAT), has a closure notice due to flood damage, no alternative route is offered so with no barriers I proceed. There is major scouring of the unbounded centre but it’s safe to walk along the edge and no worse than other footpaths. Later two cars and two scrambler bikes pass me so I have no guilt.

The view back into the Derwent Valley is worth a turnaround during a breather as this track continues a climb. No more traffic until meeting the road where a lay bay offers parking for dog walkers. The road has little traffic and the footpath off right is well signed.

The field has sheep and is rather wet and very wet at a boundary crossing so local revised navigation is recommended. The next field has cattle then a cropped field has no path reinstatement as required by HA sec. 134 but then that’s just a £1,000 fine bit like my failure to comply with the path closure.

Two road crossings, no issue, then more quiet road walking before we head off north again along a good footpath passing the impressive Wilkin House. Dropping down we pass between two small lakes and head for Alicehead Road along Peasenhurst Lane which must have been more than a footpath years ago.

Darley Road is busy and fast but there is a verge and the distance walked is not great. Hungerhill Lane was a new one to me and a most enjoyable Restricted Byway so there should be no motorised traffic. The bridge over the stream is a tall solid structure so another track that I guess had historical significance.

Joining harewood Lane we could follow this quite road as an easy approach to Holymoorside but no we head up along a bridleway, cyclists and riders beware this is not a good path for you. It does however offer a wonderful view over the tree tops of the valley and later to the outskirts of Chesterfield.

Lunchtime Wednesday the Inn was closed and that was it for any on route services. The approach into Chesterfield following the River Hipper is excellent and well used path. There was some evidence of flooding but I guess that is only in severe conditions. The path eventually becomes a bonder cycle track and yes there is some industry close to the town centre but decorative fence panels add interest and the final walk through Queens park with a safe link to the market place make this a first class Slow Way.

I walked this route from Chesterfield. After a wet period it was muddy underfoot in places. The exit from Chesterfield is via the market place and through Queens Park and then follows the course of the River Hipper, with various old and derelict industrial sites along the way. There are the remains of mill water channels and ponds. Various interpretation panels tell the history along the trail. After a muddy woodland section we reach open country close to Somersall Hall and then it is across the fields to Holymoorside.
The route now rises more steeply on a quiet road to begin with and then a lane past wellspring farm. There are good view back into the Rother Valley. After dropping through Nab Plantation on a muddy path we join a wider trail (Hungerhill Lane) over the ridge to reach Dean Farm. The Darley road is busy, but there is a wide verge and it is straight enough to see vehicles approaching. Shortly, we join a quiet road to reach Peasunhurst Lane, this becomes a muddy field path to reach Hodge Lane. We follow the quiet lane westward and eventually cross the busy B5057. An undefined path heads up the rough grass to reach the footpath with heads across the fields to Darley Grange. From here we turn southwards on a quiet lane before joining the forestry track heading southwards to Two Dales. It is easy to follow and brings us to the crossroads at Darley Dale where the route ends/begins. An enjoyable route. Shops and pub in Holymoorside for those who need it.

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