I did the first part from Ashbourne to Mapleton (see the route to Waterhouses) then left this route for Ilam....

Andrew Davies

Once beside the river, the route is easy - just follow it!...

Andrew Davies

I did this route in two halves, breaking at Brailsford and using the hourly Swift bus to get to either end. This is a good route with plenty of variety and scenery, and mostly obvious paths. The only problems I found were muddy or recently ploughed fields, just east of Brailsford, which obstructed the marked route....

Andrew Davies

Beyond the road the path is fenced off and though it deviates a little from the GPX line there is no possibility of going wrong. The line out of this wood is further west than the definitive path, and leads to an obvious trodden line over the next field which leads to Moor Lane. We continue down Mill Lane then fork left along a little used farm road that leads to field paths on both sides. A short section of quiet road leads to more well marked field paths. Once out of the houses the path remains well trodden but deviates a little from the definitive line. After crossing the lane again the way ahead crosses a large arable field (easy at this time of year) - note that the exit from this field crosses a hedge below the top of the field and continues along the pasture on the left before rejoining the definitive line in the next field. We eventually leave it right on a well used path (once again not quite on the definitive line) that leads to another farm road which we follow out to Markeaton Lane, which is busy but has a good pavement on the west side apart from a short narrower section over a bridge....

Hugh Hudson

Most of this path is surfaced, but the farm road turns up to the right and we go straight on on a slightly muddy path between fences, then turn right up a lane, then follow roads (the A517 has a pavement) to Blackbrook, where we turn right onto Plains Lane. We reach a muddy unsurfaced lane and turn right, then pick our way through fields and over a steep sided wooded stream to reach Lambhuose Lane, where we go straight on on another little used path. At the next lane we go left a short distance to pick up another little used field path - at the point where the map shows a diagonal move to the right, beware of going too low as the gap that takes us into the scrubby wood is further left than the definitive line. Once beyond the surfaced farm tracks, the next path is also little used and very overgrown in places - there are places where the definitive line goes through a narrow overgrown area between hedges but it is easier to stay in the field to the right/north. Here it is easy to lose the path again, as the exit to the first field is in the top left corner, where the definitive line is much further right. The next part of the path through the riverside meadows is easy if a little wet in places, but as we bear right towards Agnesmeadow Lane there is one cow pasture to cross which was very churned up and soggy, and the mud got into my boots....

Hugh Hudson

This high level route attempts to avoid any flooding of the Henmoor Brook. Only services on route are at Kirk Ireton, the community shop and the Barley Mow, a pub interior of exceptional national historic importance, says CAMRA. The exit or perhaps heading in would not prepare you for the delights of the town but it’s away from the main road and soon leads into open fields and a quiet road to Sturston Mill. The route takes us into fields of sheep with ups and downs but all pasture. There is a sneaky change of hedge side the first of two on this route so keep a look out. Another steam crossing approaching Hays Farm where we meet Ashwir-3 to share the same route to Kirk Ireton. The lane could provide a route down to Wirksworth but the field path used offers a good view over the town. Into the modern part of Wirksworth our route is a mix of decent paths between the houses and estate roads before we arrive in the old town....

Ken

After Agnes Meadow Bridge there is a field with cattle and the well trodden feeding point is bang on the path necessitating an alternative route or wellingtons. Crossing to Down'ards and using the lower part of Ridge Lane might offer a better route. The plotted route later crosses the brook and here the ground is boggy perhaps even in dryer conditions as two streams need crossing. So another route might be to climb to higher ground via Atlow Moat Farm because there is another very wet section on the plotted path by the moat. Time for a break, because from here the route leaves the valley and makes a climb of two hundred feet, it felt a lot more, before a gentler descent to Biggin. Turning off opposite Stainsborugh Hall the path crosses a field of very old lead working, now grazed by sheep, then crosses Summer Lane. The lane could provide a route down to Wirksworth but the field path used offers a good view over the town....

Ken

This route is very poorly plotted....

Ken

Overall, even after lots of rain and soft going this walk is pleasant with lots of easy sections. While the route to Sutton is all on road it is very quiet after crossing the A50, I say quiet that is traffic on this road. From Sutton Mill the route leaves the road and takes to the fields which were a bit muddy as I passed but we had had lots of rain as sand bags at the Mill House confirmed. The easy walk continues along a dead end metalled road which continues through to Osmaston as a well surfaced bridleway. The bypass road crossing has good visibility then we hit the outskirts of Ashbourne. Old Hill is a direct route which has a pavement and limited traffic, so offers a good approach or exit....

Ken

It is not quite as direct as the Tissington Trail taken in BigAshOne, but much more interesting, being largely along bottom the dramatic limestone Mill Dale and Dove Dale. As you continue following the river from Mill Dale to Dove Dale, there are plenty of interesting limestone features including some well-known visitor honeypots (Ilam rock, Lovers' Leap, Dovedale Stepping Stones, Thorpe Cloud; photos 5, 6, 7 and 10) that make this a spectacular route....

Jo Wood

Starting from Waterhouses the pavement ends where the minor road forks right so I took this road and then an ORPA (Other Route with Public Access) back to the main road this reduced the busy road section to just 500ft or 150M there is a narrow verge to step onto. The linking path to the back road is interesting looking like a private drive. We finally meet the road at Okeover Mill before crossing the Manifold to enter Derbyshire....

Ken

I created the route and have walked all of it apart from the main road and lane to Calton which I have driven, over the past couple of years. The main road out of Waterhouses is unpleasant and could be dangerous....

Malcolm Boura

Leaving the meeting point at the bus stop opposite Biggin church, we head south down Drury Lane, Just beyond the first few houses after the fields on the right we go left up Porridge Lane and follow it right past the farm. From here the route is obvious - just follow the old railway trail south for the next nine miles. At the south end of the trail we cross Station Road and use the path through Sainsbury's car park to reach the meeting point just before Compton Street (somewhat oddly chosen, as there are no seats or bus stops here)....

Hugh Hudson

First half was easy going with rolling dales, scenic views and plenty of wildlife....

Eddie Jones

Enjoyable route however difficult bits:poor way marking,a very steep bank east of Royston(the hollow)plus some deep ditches which don’t have safe bridges....

J w ollid

Whilst some history on the walk and glimpses of Peak District views, not the most varied, good for a quick walk down to Ashbourne....

Eddie Jones

My review is based on the review by Lynn, a study of the route on the map, an inspection of the obstruction on site and knowledge of the paths in the area....

Ken

The exit from Derby is good passing the university and making a safe level crossing of the inner ring road. This route offers an excellent link from the city to the park which is accessible to all. A tea room and loos are on route here and there's not much more in the miles to come so best make use. The bridleway track and a cross field footpath are well used passing Vicar Wood on the edge of Kedleston Park, signs make clear there is no access from the public path. At a road crossing, five miles from Derby, a detour of 250 metres left to Maynall Langley would offer a tea room. It's now an easy and direct route through Osmaston Park where signs make clear where the path is not....

Ken

A walked path was evident across the rough field which assists navigation, then a gentle climb. Later the path crosses the games field of Abbotsholme school where a tap by the path might quench your thirst on a hot day. The cross field path was invisible but I pressed on keeping a close eye on the plotted route which got me through. Another report asking for steps to make the path safe to use, the road here is called The Hollow. Fortunately the path is signed from Virginsally, that name should tell a good story. Perhaps best to make use of that seat because while the path through the park is a delight, it is also a climb, take a breather and turn around. Back by the river it's easy walking but cattle are present and the locals walk by the river while the path crosses the meadow....

Ken

Still, the route was clear and the paths good as I came into Osmaston and took the path to the side of Osmaston Park (photo 4). The only path arrow from the gatepost pointed southwest, to the corner of the field into woodland, not the Slow Ways route east path. I retraced my steps and followed the southwest path to the woodland (photo 12) and then made my way east (without a defined trail this woodland will become difficult to walk through in summer). I came to a gate and followed a faint trail around the Hall grounds to a gate that opened onto Mill Lane, back onto the Slow Ways route. Sadly, I could no more recommend that route than the Slow Ways route....

Lynn Jackson

Cockley Wood to Calwich Abbey: this section is easy to follow along a track and a quiet lane....

walker99

From Uttoxeter to Rocester the route is mostly well signposted especially after it joins the Staffordshire Way at Dove Bridge....

walker99

It is an interesting walk, especially if interested in railway history, but best in small doses and this is not a small dose!...

Malcolm Boura

Ashbourne stands on higher ground than Belper so the route is downhill but the hills approaching Belper hide this fact, however these hills do offer excellent views and the route as a whole is through pleasant countryside. Crossing to Down'ards might offer a better route. The plotted route later crosses the brook and here the ground is boggy perhaps even in dryer conditions as two streams need crossing. So another route might be to climb to higher ground via Atlow Moat Farm because there is another very wet section on the plotted path by the moat. Then it's basically down but there are issues so a revision might offer a better route. Highway Act 1980 section 137 and 143, plus compliance to British Standard 5709. The approach to Blackbrook is across a large ploughed field (9) clearly the farmer is not aware of the Highway Act 1980 section 134 (3) make good the surface and indicate the line of the path on the ground. And finally, onto my favourite section of the Highway Act 1980 sec 130 “It is the duty of the highway authority (HA) to assert and protect the rights of the public to the use and enjoyment of any highway for which they are the highway authority, including any roadside waste which form part of it.” Now you may perhaps wonder what this has to do with footpaths...

Ken

I have walked all of the route in the past couple of years apart from the road between Waterhouses and Calton which I have driven....

Malcolm Boura

Plotting is poor and I see no benefit in the detour via Carsington village, there are facilities at Carsington Reservoir main site....

Ken

I don't see any benefit in the detour to Carsington village as the road walk through Hopton has no pavement so stay on the waterside path....

Ken

Also, the gpx route itself follows the wrong side of field markers, requiring back tracking to get to stiles. Instead there is the public footpath sign 30 meters further up Greenway (road). While there was a public footpath sign, looking back the way of the gpx there is an opening what should have a stile doesn’t and the field is enclosed with barbed wire3 At the gate into the field there was electrified fencing immediately beyond gate – a public deterrent to using footpath and so the gpx route was blocked. Walk the 80 metres to the cottage and you will come to ///skyrocket.thudding.syndicate where I saw a public footpath sign looking into the field5 WM2606: The gpx appears to take you onto the wrong side of the field as there is no stile to cross in the corner of the field that I was in. At ///bats.retailing.includes I went through the stile on my right and walked up to the far right hand corner of the field where there is another stile. I followed the footpath up the hill and across a small road. To enter the field, you need to climb this gate as there is no stile crossing. I chose not to use this path and instead retraced my steps back over a cattle grid and turned right to discover a stile and footpath....

Lynn Jackson

The first half is quite hilly with open aspects across meadows. There are more good pubs at both Ashbourne and Belper....

Timb

I thinking a good detour would be to take the path just before Blackwall South to Biggin and then take the path West to rejoin the route at Gibfield which avoids avoid all this road section. Great food and real Ale at the Black Swan at Idrigehay...

Julian Darke

There is a simpler, quicker route past Alton by following the old railway line and several other alternatives, as mentioned in the first review....

steveplatt

From 10 to 13km the paths are somewhat indistinct over open farm land - suggest taking a printed map and using teh field boundaries, from 13km to teh finish the views are fantastic although some fairly steep hils to be negotiated. The whole route has numerous high stiles and gates....

simonalcock

South of Carsington Water there is a almost certainly a better route on footpaths via Biggin to Idridgehay which avoids a lot of road. I haven't walked enough of those paths to recommend a detailed route....

Malcolm Boura

East from Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Ashbourne the definitive map and hence the Ordnance Survey is wrong due to house building. About 4km out of Ashbourne the route follows the B road....

Malcolm Boura

Either Bigash One or Bigash Two should use the path starting about 30 metres further north on the Tissington Trail to the northern end of Callow Top Camp Site. That avoids climbing a significant hill out of Mapleton and it is shorter. Hartington is a much better place for these routes to end than Biggin....

Malcolm Boura

Either Bigash One or Bigash Two should use the path starting about 30 metres further north on the Tissington Trail to the northern end of Callow Top Camp Site. That avoids climbing a significant hill out of Mapleton and it is shorter. Hartington is a much better place for these routes to end than Biggin....

Malcolm Boura

An alternative route is to follow the Henmore Brook out of the town (some new paths have been constructed), then Watery Lane and the footpath along the flood bank to Hanging Bridge (the bridge over the river that is, not the place). Path beside the recently closed school in Mayfield (just past road "The Park"), Slack Lane, Middle Mayfield (could rejoin the route here), Hollow Lane (can be muddy but there is a dry route on the bank above) to join the Limestone Way to Ellastone1 From Hanging Bridge take the riverside path, then the road past Mayfield Church, and then footpath along the river to rejoin the route....

Malcolm Boura

There is a newly constructed (well, completed in the last few years) path along the Henmore Brook between Ashbourne town centre and the A52. See Open Street Map....

Malcolm Boura