Matlock — Chesterfield
Matche four
Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Matche here.

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Matche here.
By StephenWalker on 25 Sep 2023
Description
I have created this route to use the scenic northern section of Matche1 but avoid the long descent of the A632
I have created this route to use the scenic northern section of Matche1 but avoid the long descent of the A632
Status
This route has been reviewed by 2 people.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Matche four
Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.
Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 2
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (2)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 4
Surveys
What is this route like?
Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.
Grade 4X based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
---|---|---|---|
Description | Note | ||
Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues. Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users. |
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys. | ||
Full grading description |
Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.
Survey Photos
Facilities
Facilities in the middle third of this route.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
Narrowest part of path: no data
The steepest uphill gradient East: no data
The steepest uphill gradient West: no data
The steepest camber: no data
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear (1)
Successfully completed
We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.
Recommended by an expert
We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.
Terrain
We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.
20.0% of the route is on roads (1)
5.0% of the route is lit at night (1)
5.0% of the route is paved (1)
30.0% of the route is muddy (1)
15.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)
There is no data on long grass
Report a problem with this data
1 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Matlock
Grid Ref
SK2966060180
Lat / Lon
53.13797° / -1.55809°
Easting / Northing
429,660E / 360,180N
What3Words
masses.oblige.stubble
Chesterfield
Grid Ref
SK3850071140
Lat / Lon
53.23592° / -1.42464°
Easting / Northing
438,500E / 371,140N
What3Words
silly.shall.hook
Matlock | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SK2966060180 |
Lat / Lon | 53.13797° / -1.55809° |
Easting / Northing | 429,660E / 360,180N |
What3Words | masses.oblige.stubble |
Chesterfield | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SK3850071140 |
Lat / Lon | 53.23592° / -1.42464° |
Easting / Northing | 438,500E / 371,140N |
What3Words | silly.shall.hook |
Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.
reviews
Jonty Sewell
25 Apr 2024My first Slow Ways route - I took the reverse to the original walker, from Matlock to Chesterfield. Walked in a fairly damp April, but with a good few days since the last heavy rainfall.
Starting with a slog uphill from the town centre takes you through suburbs to Bentley Brook, and a ford - easily passable on my visit, but I don't know how much the water rises after a downpour. Past this, a wooded area offers many possible routes, and it's not clear which is the "official" way, but heading in a broadly straight line will lead you to the corner of Foxholes lane, for a long (and very straight) tarmacked walk up past a caravan park and fish pond. Left onto Lant Lane (be aware of the single track road here) and then right further up takes you over the fields to another pond - follow the left edge of this and the adjoining farm to reach the hilltop road.
A short zig-zag and hop over one more field takes you to a fairly steep downwards incline before emerging onto Crowchin Edge. The marvellous views offered here make it a great spot to stop for a bite to eat. Continuing down and to the left some of the paths aren't marked too well, but the actual foot tracks are obvious. Various paths branch and converge and there are several routes that end up in Ashover village - another good place to stop if you're looking for food.
The walk up and out of the village is tougher than the previous climb out of Matlock, with a few short lengths of footpath cutting across the country lanes to the top of the hill. From there, exposed fields take you across the top to the fork between Long Lane and Bath Lane, and then across Birkin Lane and down Highashes Lane past the High Ashes Rural Project farm site. Signage here is a little murky and I could only navigate thanks to the GPX route on my phone. Several of the stiles are overgrown and paths vague.
At Haselhurst farm you can take a short detour to see an info board about the Chesterfield Round Walk - and then head directly in front of it to pick up the path down and then right along the edge of woodland down to Stubbing Pond (or the rather more magnificent "Great Pond of Stubbing" as some maps call it). A single lane road along the edge of this and then a path skirting the far side take you around the edge of Wingerworth, through the edge of Widdowson Spring Wood and then past Chesterfield Golf Club before entering the suburban fringes of Chesterfield proper. This final countryside leg of the walk ended up being the muddiest on my journey, especially several areas that passed through horse pastures and around the edge of the golf course.
From here, it is a fairly straightforward route through the streets to Boythorpe Road, in the top entrance to Queen's Park, over the busy Markham Road and past the town's two market squares before ending up at St. Mary & All Saint's Parish Church.
Overall, an enjoyable and varied route, with some cracking views - especially the Crowchin Edge viewpoint and looking back on the way up and out of Ashover. Some very steep inclines, a few muddy spots, and some overgrown gateways/stiles shouldn't deter you if you have a map or GPS.
StephenWalker
25 Sep 2023 (edited 26 Sep 2023)I walked this route starting at Chesterfield. It was a fine day, but followed a week of wet weather so paths were quite muddy. Use of the 1:25000 map is advised because there are a few places with tricky navigation. From Chesterfield, the route begins through the market place and the delightful Queen's Park. It climbs out of the town centre on the pavements alongside Park Road and Boythorpe Road before cutting through the housing estate on quiet footpaths. Once Harehill Road is reached, the route takes to the right of way that follows the golf course boundary and heads towards Widdowson Spring Wood and then on a fenced route through horse pastures to reach Swathwick Lane.
After crossing the lane the right of way continues on a good line to enter the woods surrounding the 'Great Pond of Stubbing' and fine views towards Stubbing Court. After crossing the dam wall the route climbs past the home farm, skirts Sleigh Wood and climbs to Haslehurst farm. At High Ashes farm there is an unofficial diversion around the northern edge of the buildings onto Highashes Lane. Now the route follows a long leg southwards first on lanes then right of way across the fields to reach Hilltop Road on the edge of Ashover. After a right turn along the road, a steep footpath on the left takes us down to Hill Road and thence into the village centre on quiet streets. Plenty of refreshment opportunities here.
Leaving Ashover, the route crosses the river Amber on a footbridge and then climbs steadily on a bridleway past Overton Cottages and up through the wood. After the open area of mine spoil look out for a signpost which marks the start of a steep and muddy path up through the trees to near the top of the Cocking Tor ridge. After skirting the copse, the path reaches Holestone Gate Road. This is a little busier, but there is a wide verge to escape onto and there is only 50 yards to cover before a footpath on the left takes a well defined line across the valley to meet Lant Lane. The route turns downhill along this quiet lane (Once again a wide verge to avoid cars, if required) to reach Foxholes Lane where it turns south-westward.
After the end of the tarmac on Foxholes Lane (SK 31821 61150) there is a clear path into the wood but the exact route through the trees and to descend to SK 31580 61035 is not always obvious and could be very steep. Much care needed here.
A good path leads to cross Bentley Brook and rises to the new housing at Lumsdale. Here it is not obvious that a diversion leads first southwards then turns off northwest to reach the road. Estate roads and cut-through paths bring us to the A632 and after turning downhill we turn off to follow the well named 'Steep Turnpike' downhill to Matlock town centre and the bridge across the Derwent before reaching the 'hub' at the railway station.
I found most of the route easy to follow on the 1:25000 map. There are a lot of pinch stiles and the path is overgrown by vegetation in several places. It is quite hilly and the going underfoot is rough in places, especially after rain. However, if you are prepared for it this is an excellent route with good views.
-
Share your thoughts
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.
Other Routes for Matlock—Chesterfield See all Slow Ways
Review this better route and help establish a trusted network of walking routes.
Suggest a better route if it better meets our methodology.
Share your thoughts