Ripsel one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Ripsel here.

Walked from Ripley to Selston. Not the most exciting of routes, but straightforward and easy to follow, if a little slippery in places (I walked it on a bright day after a lot of rain).

From the Ripley meeting point, one of my biggest questions is the reason for detouring along Crossley Street, which is neither the shortest route (Grosvenor Road) nor the pedestrianised one with plenty of shops (Oxford Street). We are only talking about wasting a couple of minutes but I couldn't see anything of interest on Crossley Street to justify the detour.

We are soon on the easy walk down the pavement of Nottingham Road, which can be crossed either at a zebra crossing where we join it or a pelican crossing lower down. Where we reach the bypass junction we take the paved path that leaves at the roundabout. This does not avoid the need to cross the A610, but there is a central refuge and the traffic is slowed by the nearby roundabout. The path soon rejoins the access road for the Derbyshire Police HQ, and lower down there is no pavement and plenty of traffic, until we pass the police dog training site on the Coach Road. Beyond here I saw little traffic, so although the road is narrow it felt quite safe. We cross Newlands Street and turn left over the canal.

Here we follow the cycle route behind the houses - had I been planning it I would have joined the old towpath immediately at the bridge but that is a minor quibble. We are soon on the popular path by Codnor Park Reservoir, where there is a tea van (I am not sure how permanent that is). We cross the canal (mostly dry from here on) and continue as far as the Erewash bridge, then take the lane up into Jacksdale, where there are a few shops. We take the path that starts on Church Hill and passes between the graveyard and the houses (fields on the right beyond the graveyard). Another alleyway takes us out to Main Road.

Here I ignored the GPX and tried the shortcut path, which is a little overgrown but easy enough, with no stiles, and it saves an unnecessary dogleg and some pavement walking so I recommend it. The path along and around Bogthorpe Brook is the muddiest part of the walk, and was quite slippery when I walked it. We turn left through the wood and an open field to cross another brook, then head straight on between the trees and the fence protecting the pasture. Eventually we reach a farm lane where we cross the stream and continue along a fenced path past the farm buildings (ignore the signposted path left over the stile), then follow the lane which takes us to Nottingham Road in Selston at the meeting point, i.e. the bus stop by the park.

Walked Selston to Ripley on a bright dry day. This route is well plotted starting along fenced field edges then more fenced in paths around the edge of Westwood and Jacksdale before a pleasant section alongside the disused Cromford canal. Final approach to Ripley is along private roads which have public rights on foot.

I do wonder what the surveyors found in the early 1950s when paths were recorded for the definitive map. Some schedules offer details, I've only seen those for Derbyshire which can make very interesting inspection. I'm sure the parish surveyors of Selston would have enjoyed a walk alongside the brook through an open pasture field. So I'm disappointed that I'm restricted to a narrow fenced route, overgrown, since stock no longer have access to graze it. Legal? Yes, but we all have a part to play in making life pleasant for others.

Before Westwood the route misses a corner cut or is it a choice between two sides of a square? Two expensive looking bus shelters offer protection to those waiting for the service of just three runs each weekday. Sorry this is turning out to be a whinging walk. So to continue, newish houses at Westwood fence their rear gardens along one side of the path while a hedge blocks a view or escape into open fields. It's tempting to say I'd rather be on the estate roads.

Jack's Dale as it is on old maps offers shops and a micro pub “The Poachers Ale House” but a short detour is required for access. Wharf Green is a pleasant recreation area before crossing the River Erewash to enter Derbyshire and join the towpath of the Cromford canal that has an active group seeking improvements and eventual restoration for navigation. They have a long way to go so your help might be appreciated.

It's now easy but varied walking to Ripley. The first mile and a half is alongside the often weed infested canal then close to the tunnel mouth, which needs a detour to inspect, the route joins the former Butterley Toll roads. Some have become adopted roads but here it's only a public footpath and the owners make futile attempts to prevent unauthorised vehicle use, so care is needed.

Despite my personal rant I think this route perhaps deserves more than the three stars I'm giving it. I'll wait and see what other reviews have to say.

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