Swaash two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Swaash here.

I had walked this route before so should really have just transferred the review. But having been replotted by Ken and fitting in with my plans, I decided to rewalk it in the opposite direction to the first time. The gentle climb from the busy High Street of Ashby De La Zouch is direct, easy to follow and soon rewards you with some quiet residential streets which until recently would have been fields. The path to Blackfordby is straight and easy to stick to. Interestingly, you pass fields full of solar panels, making a change from wind turbines. The village of Blackfordby is reached with another gentle climb. The two main buildings you pass are a pub and a church. As Ken pointed out, the footpath is marked as being for the school, as if it isn't a through route but it's what you need to take. Views from the playing field reach as far as Birmingham City Centre, which is 40km (25 miles away). A clear day feels like a reward. You walk down a series of steps to get to the footpath which takes you across a field and out of Leicestershire. The arrival in Derbyshire is stark. You move from rural surroundings to residential, then post industrial to light industrial. There's a short walk through a park and then some woods before you find yourself near the centre of Swad. The route takes you around the centre via a series of main roads to the meeting place at the bus station, it's a shame you don't get to see the High Street, although that isn't far if you need anything. The superior plotting made this much easier to follow than before. The route is direct, offroad, safe and enjoyable. Definitely worth walking twice.

I walked this route Ashby to Swadlincote on a crisp dry day. Following two other reviews of swaash-1 I had hoped to snail that route but the poor plotting when walked east to west proved a need to fail it.

This is the same route with improved plotting. It starts well in Ashby and the link to leave the main road was known and found with ease. The paths are evident on the ground so easy to find and walk as far as Blackfordby. Here an inn will offer refreshments when it's open and newly installed colourful covid memorial seats offer a perch for weary legs. Thanks to my companion for the picture.

The sign 'To the school' fails to mention that it's also a public footpath then it's a bit messy but much improved on my last visit in 2014. A path diversion around an expanded factory may not show on old maps, then a mass of paths through Swadlincote Woodlands need care. All very nice and off road but a challenge to follow.

The best bits are at the Ashby end but for how long as the town expands in all directions. Some paths around Woodville are fenced and narrow. But all in all this is a direct off road route so four stars.

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