Wirbel two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Wirbel here.

I walked this from Wirksworth to Belper.

This Slow Way has been described in detail by the first reviewer (Hugh). The walk goes along all weather paths, quiet lanes and field paths and there are some excellent views.

The start of the walk from St Johns Street in Wirksworth is a passageway that is easily missed. I attach a photograph of the beginning of this passage which may help.

From Alport Height the view south is excellent. It is claimed that you can see see Birmingham and Long Mynd but on the day I walked I could only see as far as Charnwood.

A long stretch of the walk after Alport Height is across fields separated by squeeze stiles. Whilst many of these stiles are straightforward to negotiate some require care. The stile onto Palerow Lane needs particular care.

In two fields, I encountered cattle but they were docile.

The walk finishes along the quiet and scenic Wyvern Lane.

There had been some dry weather in previous weeks, so there was not much mud on the ground. However there were still occasional muddy and boggy patches but these were easily avoided.

Overall this is a good walk with fine views.

Wirksworth and Belper are connected by the hourly Trentbarton 6.1 bus service, which runs between Derby and Bakewell.

Walked from Wirksworth to Belper. A very enjoyable route, but not one to be underestimated, as there are some sections that get wet, muddy and sometimes slippery, and the upper part of the shortcut path from Taylor's Lane to Maincommon Lane is rough and steep, and constrained by gorse bushes. There is also a boggy section that may be difficult when wet where the field path comes down to Wilderbrook Lane.

We leave Wirksworth past the church and head down towards the river and the railway, taking the surfaced path right then following the quiet road up through Gorseybank. Pratthall Lane is a little wet and muddy in places. We then cross a field and descend through the garden of Holehouse Farm. There are a few steps here, and the stream crossing can be a ford in wet weather. We follow Taylor's Lane past New Buildings, then take the shortcut path that starts easily through a slightly wet field but becomes a little tricky higher up where it climbs steeply between gorse bushes and a stone wall. The diagonal indicated by the right of way is not walkable.

We then follow quiet roads up past Alport Heights, and the views south and east soon become extensive. The field path onwards is well walked enough to be obvious most of the way, but it does pass through some narrow squeeze stiles (some too narrow for my boots, but these could be stepped over). The path stays close to a natural ridge line, which helps to maintain the distant views. Eventually the path heads right through a field into a boggy corner to reach Wilderbrook Lane.

We then follow the road a short distance and continue down the aptly named Narrow Lane. This leads us to Belper Lane Ends where there is a pub (the only facility en route). We then take the bridlepath through Wyver Farm - this was the most sustained muddy section of the route. Eventually it follows the edge of a pasture round to reach Wyver Lane above the nature reserve. The lane offers a quiet, easy and quick route into Belper, a walk dominated by Strutts North Mill.

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