Matalf one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Matalf here.

This is a country walk with some great views of the excellent countryside that it passes through. There are stiles, some narrow, others to climb, cattle and potential for mud. There are inns on route but no shops and the inns may not be open so I recommend that this ten mile walk is planned taking food, water and walking footwear. The area offers a number of route choices which I would recommend exploring depending on your need to take a break along the way. There had been a lot of rain so my experience is not the norm for this walk.

The exit from Alfreton is one of the best departures that I know with a rapid change from town to country at the churchyard. The track is easy walking and some metal stiles looked good when installed but can sustain damage which must be from farm vehicles. The view of countryside that awaits us is good and in the sunshine the first Inn is clearly visible. A sign at the road warns that the derelict farm buildings are for sale as a 'development opportunity'.

At a crossing, by bridge, of the railway I had planned to suggest a small diversion. However a flooded gateway on the Slow Way forced me to make the detour passing Wingfield station which dates from the opening of the line in 1840, it's Grade II* and is being restored by the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust.

South Wingfield has an inn plus a shop which sells food for your four legged companion. The high supporting walls surrounding the road are walked with some trepidation when the many repairs are inspected. Seats at the recreation ground are unfortunately not accessible from the footpath.

The next section starts with a path along the edge of a ploughed field then into pasture. These paths offer a very pleasant walk to Wheatcroft but there is one spot where the path invisibly crosses a cropped field, the plot is good so stick with it. I missed a well walked path by a stream unwittingly taking the parallel field edge farm track which was more visible.

It's a climb along a green lane into the hamlet of Wheatcroft and the ascent continues on the road of departure. The road walking here was fine with a verge if required to allow traffic priority. The footpath link had little evidence of use, perhaps because the required road walk puts leisure walkers off. Green Lane is a wide firm footpath which may well have higher status as the name suggests. The north end enters a small copse where the path is less well defined on the ground.

I have resisted describing alternative routes but here I would suggest missing Tansley unless you wish to visit the inn. If you do visit there is a better route to Matlock which avoids the climb to Riber. If you don't need a break at Tansley then the view from Riber is well worth including so I suggest heading west along the road then a direct footpath off Carr Lane.

On the Slow Way the path becomes well walked dropping into Tansley where it passes the inn but this takes us on a narrow pavement alongside a busy road. The path from the road climbs to Riber across pasture and while views of the turreted castle had been inviting since Wheatcroft it's now hiding behind trees.

The hamlet of Riber doesn't have a view of the castle unlike Matlock where it is ever present watching over the town. The narrow fenced path keeps the walker at arm's length from the slow and spasmodic attempts to find a profitable use for the folly.

After the disappointment failing to view the castle we are rewarded by a stunning panorama of Matlock below us. Sit on the grass or a little further down a bench and pick out landmarks known or perhaps new before making the steep descent and a walk through the old town, Matlock Green and across the park missing the final yards of this Slow Way unless you have a train to catch.

This a good route that we took as the first leg of a longer circular walk: Alfreton - Matlock, Matlock - Crich, Crich - Alfreton.
Our start was from the Travelodge in Alfreton so was just slightly longer than the 10 miles.
Points to note:
The directions were mostly clear and easy to follow, there are one or two parts half way through that you just have to think about as the footpaths are through arable fields and the paths/exits are not always obvious.
The route is on tracks, fields and a small amount of road walking.
There are quite a number of stiles of various sorts, some of the pinch ones are very tight.
We came across sheep, cows and horses in a few fields, so just a bit of care needed.
Facilities are limited along the way, so you will need water, snacks and depending on when you go and how quick you walk lunch?
This is mainly open countryside with great views.
Fantastic views when you reach the castle and look down into Matlock.
The decent into Matlock is very steep on mainly a cobbled path.
The walk down made the tea and carrot cake in the Cafe in the Park even more enjoyable.
Overall this was a very enjoyable walk, that I would highly recommend.

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.