Wircri one

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I walked this route from Crich to Wirksworth. It's a good route, but there's a point that's not really follow-able. I'll upload an alternative that addresses this.

Walked from Crich to Wirksworth. A mixed bag, but almost an excellent route. The main problem area is the route down from Crich Carr to Whatstandwell through the old quarry workings. As Ken says, the map is misleading, and in attempting to stay close to the right of way line we were led to follow paths that were steep and slippery, and potentially dangerous. It is possible that we lost a better more circuitous line down to the point where the footpath is signed on Robin Hood Road, but if so this is a mistake others are likely to make, especially in descent, and since there is a much easier route staying on the road I think the route should be tweaked to avoid it, so I have created WIRCRI 2.

Leaving Crich. we follow Coasthill round the bend and up the hill then take the left turn onto Stones Lane, then following the obvious path right that leads out into the fields, where we join the MATCRI 1 footpath above the steps that lead down to Crich Carr. We take more steps down to Glen Road, which we follow round to Hindersitch Lane. Before it turns right we follow the footpath sign right, which leads to the problematic section and eventually the track through Duke's Quarry, where we go sharp left down Robin Hood Road, which leads us down to Whatstandwell. We cross the Derwent on the main road bridge, then go steeply across a field to reach New Road, where we take the footpath right.

The path that goes uphill to the left is well trodden but not signposted, and we follow it left of the farm buildings at Lambert's Cottages to the fields above, where we follow the left edges of the fields until we reach a five way footpath junction. Our way goes uphill across the field - to find the path through the wood it is best to stay lower and further right, though there is a way round the top which we found having missed it. The path through the wood has stiles, and is currently slightly obstructed by a fallen tree, which can easily be clambered over to emerge on the open pastures, where the path loosely follows the edge of the wood, then goes diagonally across two large fields to reach Mere Brook down a short steep and slightly slippery slope.

Beyond the brook the path turns left through the wood to emerge on more pastures, where a clear path leads us up to Green Lane, which we follow up to Derby Old Road, where we turn right and then left by the pub. We leave the road on a marked footpath which is not well used but is fairly easy to follow down the hill (further down the most trodden line strays into a field further right than the right of way, where it is easy to return to the correct line through a gap. Another lane leads us easily onto the road that leads down to the railway and up into Wirksworth (Wash Green and Coldwell Street), where the meeting point is in the meeting point opposite the church.

I walked Wirksworth to Crich on Sunday 1st August 2021. The route is well plotted but see below. A most enjoyable walk.

After a steep climb out of the pleasant town the destination becomes apparent with a view of Crich Stand to guide us. The path through the pasture park of Wigwell Grange is a delight. Crossing Mere Brook the path stays on the higher ground with views into the valley. A smart sign erected by the Peak and Northern Footpaths Society marks the meeting of five path. From here drops steeply to the noise of traffic crossing Whatstandwell bridge over the Derwent. Taking the path through Duke's Quarries is interesting but the road is more direct, see below. Another steep climb at Crich Carr, assisted by steps suddenly busts into open ground for the final gentle ascent to telecommunication masts, proving this must be a high point.

I believe Ordnance Survey correctly represent the Derbyshire Definitive Map and the problem may not be unique to this county. The walk helps to prove that the map can be wrong. I struggled to find the path on the climb out of Wirksworth. Crossing the stream and summer vegetation didn't help so I may have lost my way. However the path at Duke's Quarries confirmed my opinion that the map is wrong. No way could the path marked on the map take me up the almost sheer rock face. The finger post incorrectly located one hundred metres along the road directed me along a well used twisting path through the remains of old quarry working and spoil heaps before meeting the definitive path at the boundary of the old working.

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