Upphat one

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A mixed route with some easy paths but some challenges. While the plot follows the definitive paths which should be available they are not, so some interpretation is required. There are services and occasional buses at Bamford and Yorkshire Bridge, plus loos and water at Heatherdene car park. There could be cattle and golf balls.

I walked from Hathersage station into the town where most services are available. The exit path was a disappointment being narrow and neglected from a town that thrives on it's walking image. Crossing a stream we are in open parkland and climb to a challenging stile alongside a gate, both need negotiating.

A short road walk leads to a track to Thorpe Farm where the sign offers ice cream and bunk house the latter marked on the OS map. There may be bunk house but there is not a footpath where the OS and definitive map show it. Open Street map shows a direct route but I failed to investigate this on the ground, foolishly relying on the public right of way that should have been available. So I'm afraid the plot is useless here.

Back on track having used a track I entered the golf course and all looked well with waymarking in line with the plot alongside the stone barn. Again I relied too much on the plot along the Definitive line and failed to spot the permissive waymarked route. The exit again is clear and well used with a sign requiring dogs to be kept to the footpath, question is which one?

The plot continues through some impressive gate pillars along a drive to a Severn Trent facility so I check and find this is not a public right of way. There appears to be no issue using it to link to the recorded path but it's another opportunity for challenge and loss.

And so into Bamford where The Anglers Rest community pub offers many services. The path back into the fields was again rather overgrown, there looks to be a better route up Greenhead Park. Climbing to the road there are good view but then it's down again to the main road which has a pavement and passes the Yorkshire Bridge Hotel / Inn so I do wonder is this climb necessary?

The roadside pavement continues with a short detour passing through Heatherdene car park where there is a loo and useful water supply for a hot day. There is also an occasional bus between Bakewell and Sheffield here. The views of the Ladybower viaducts are impressive especially when considering the mass of the structure hidden under the water. This roadside walking is difficult to avoid without serious climbs.

I had never used the permissive path along the west side of the reservoir which I found most enjoyable being far enough away from the road to be peaceful and the shade of the trees was appreciated on the hot September day. The plot misses a section towards Fairholmes but I'd recommend staying with the path which is signed as a 'Walking Trail'. The approach to Fairholmes follows the water rather than the road.

Upper Derwent Visitor Centre. The place was busy even on this September Wednesday, it may have been the late summer weather but I guess it's busy most days based on the large car park, slick operation at the cafe and extensive picnic benches. For me this bustling location is remote and isolated, having walked in from Hathersage my only way out is to walk another Slow Way. The bus shelter proves my point where the timetable offers no buses Monday to Saturday only a Sunday service.

Good route with nice views and varied terrain. Thorpe farm somewhat tricky to navigate.

Not a great route in my opinion - the start alongside Ladybower is enjoyable, although I can see the viewpoint of the previous reviewer and the other side of Ladybower would be equally pleasant. This would avoid a chunk of road walking along Ashopton Viaduct, but still leaves a decent amount of road. The next chunk of road to Bamford isn't great, the section through the golf course is fairly unclear and then it's easy to lose the path going around Thorpe Farm.

As the previous reviewer mentions, going along Thornhill Trail to the Quaker house might be an improvement. I'd go a step further and continue past the Quaker house to Shatton and then follow the river to Leadmill Bridge followed by a short amount of road to Hathersage station.

This is an attractive area and the route is quite a pleasant one, but for me it includes 2 sections where there are much more appealing alternatives. The first section of the route comes down the west side of Ladybower reservoir: it's true that there's a walking path between the road and the reservoir most of the way, but the alternative is to come down the walking and cycling trail on the east side of the reservoir, avoiding vehicle traffic entirely. (The attached photograph shows the view southwards from the trail on the east side of the reservoir.) This trail is also well-signed from the start at Fairholmes Visitor Centre. And then the suggested section from the Ladybower dam wall itself again stays close to the road and comes through Bamford village itself, which can get busy at weekends and in holiday season. The much quieter alternative is to cross the Ladybower dam wall to the west end, turn left (south) for about 200 metres down a metalled road, then take the Thornhill Trail which slants off to the right. This is a relatively recently-created walking and cycling path, in excellent condition, which bypasses Bamford Village entirely and ends on Water Lane, near the Quaker Community house. Turn left (east) and walk along Water Lane itself, a very quiet lane, and then pick up the suggested route via Station Road and Saltergate Lane.

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