Beautiful walk, helped that the weather was on my side...

Phoebe Hood

It is definitely a walk I’d do again as it’s got multiple steep climbs, lots of wall stiles and plenty of beautiful scenery you can enjoy in solitude for most of the time....

Michael Freer

I have used the Staden Low/Deep Dale path a couple of times before but on both occasions used London Road at the Buxton end. As long as you pay attention to the signs the route is fairly easy to follow, though the path east from Cowdale starts with a stone stile that could be missed. The path over to Sough Top is less popular and has a series of stone stiles. At the pub we turn right up the hill on a path that is a little overgrown higher up, as is the path we follow down to the left at the top. A good path, with a few stray bramble shoots, takes us up the hill, where we briefly join the road before heading left on an old lane with good views. We reach another road then turn right down past a farm, then cross a sheep pasture to find the indistinct path down to the second (rather gentler) Deep Dale. The start of the path towards Bakewell could easily be missed, but the path is easy to follow....

Hugh Hudson

I walked this route from Dronfield. Here the route joins the quiet Unthank Lane for one and quarter miles and climbs steadily through the peaceful setting of Burrs Wood. [from here to Baslow coincides with a section of the slow-way Bakche2] Our route follows this lane for another one and a quarter miles to reach the A621. I walked the route as it was designed, but on reflection if I did it again I would divert after Baslow onto the Bakche2 / Dronche2 route through Chatsworth....

StephenWalker

The route begins through Chesterfield market place and then after Markham Road roundabout follows a quiet footpath that cuts between housing and links parks and woodland. After passing through the woodland surrounding Linacre reservoirs the route follows field paths as it climbs northwards. From Clodhall Lane we follow the bridleway south-westwards to Wellingtons Monument and past the Eagle Stone (worth a detour) before descending the lane known as Bar Road into Baslow....

StephenWalker

The western (Bakewell) side of East Moor can be boggy and so decent boots and gaiters are advised if you are walking after rain....

Lynn Jackson

I began the walk from the church and through Market Square before walking alongside Holme brook along a quiet back lane footpath. I walked just a 100 metres or so to get to the quiet Barlow Grange Lane, which after a couple of km crossed and became what Barlow Grange Lane had originally been from time immemorial - a drover lane. A short walk along the covered pavement on the A621 (it was too boggy to use the footpath) and a short walk up Clodhall Lane and I was on the path to Baslow, passing Wellington’s Monument and going to the top of Bar Road. It was a straightforward walk into Edensor, past the church and up the lane that turned into a hollow way – a steady but gentle climb to the top of the hill where I came upon an inscribed 18th Century guidestone, showing the way to Bakewell, Chesterfield and Sheffield. The humpback road that I had to walk was a slight worry but no cars appeared on the lane and so I walked onward until I got to the woodland where the lane turned right....

Lynn Jackson

This quickly turned off the Hatdro course, continuing up a road leading left and onto a footpath going through residential streets (photo 1). The route to Holmesfield was pleasant, through woodland, fields and a little pavement road walking, but I would advise walking through Holmesfield itself, as the breath-taking view as you turn the corner to get back onto fields is worth it (photo 4, you will see the church on your right first – photo 3). A short walk along the covered pavement on the A621 and a short walk up Clodhall Lane and I was on the path to Baslow, passing Wellington’s Monument and going to the top of Bar Road (photos 7 and 8). It was a straightforward walk into Edensor, past the church (photo 10) and up the lane that turned into a hollow way – a steady but gentle climb to the top of the hill where I came upon an inscribed 18th Century guidestone, showing the way to Bakewell, Chesterfield and Sheffield (photo 11). The humpback road that I had to walk was a slight worry but no cars appeared on the lane and so I walked onward until I got to Manners Wood where the lane turned right, this gave the first hint of the problems to come. I could see that a large branch of a tree had fallen across the lane and work had taken place to cut the branch up and clear the lane of debris (photo 12), hiding the path in the process....

Lynn Jackson

No real route finding problems, especially through Tideswell dale and the section on the Monsal Trail...

philtooze

Trail sections very accessible but some stepped sections and stiles along the rest of the route not so....

Sue Lindley

Relatively easy walking, potential pub visits at Monsal Head or Great Longstone. The short section along the B6049 is paved and felt safe. Fast bike riders in the two tunnels, but the route is wide enough ' keep to the left as advised...

Tim Ryan

When walking toward Bakewell follow the bridleway from Upperdale until you go under the Monsal trail bridge then take the unmarked path on your left onto the trail....

Tim Ryan

A good path, if not as pretty as Tidbak 2, but a good fall-back route if conditions are less than ideal. The route follows Tidbak 2 for the first half of the route, leaving lanes and paths out of Tideswell for a short stretch of pavement before crossing the road to enter Tideswell Dale (photo 3)....

Lynn Jackson

Leaving this original 'gated village' we cross the busy road to join a winding surfaced public footpath which offers an excellent view of the house as we approach the bridge over the Derwent our second valley. After crossing the bridge we head north on a well walked, and again public footpath to Baslow which I have used many times so feel able to review. Eventually I arrived at the crossing point where a floating bridge had been provided, from here a link was possible via The Nursery but this event was huge so our route continued up a track passing fields laid out for dressage practice before a field gate directed me eastwards meeting a public path at the rear of the hotel. The main road is busy with a walked if narrow overgrown footpath but this is short and the next road is fairly quiet. At Shillito Wood there is a choice of routes, I had considered the bridleway to Car Lane or there is the road used by Bakdro but the road was so quiet I pressed on to Moorhall where I found the restricted byway to be in good repair and an enjoyable walking route to the Cordwell Valley at Millthorpe. The exit footpath link is a challenge equal to the best laid out maze but it avoids a short busy road which has no pavement....

Ken

Some sections were a bit muddy - I would recommend older shoes or ideally waterproof walking boots if there has been any rain recently - and there are some steep and uneven sections. The views from the hill near Rowland and the walk from Calver to Hathersage along the river were particular highlights....

Ben

This should be a great route, and still can be, but 2 minor diversions are required from the plotted Slow Ways route....

paul.scholey

Strong climb out to walk briefly on a road before crossing fields to reach stunning Lathkill Dale....

Eddie Jones

Really nice mixture of terrains from riverside fields to dale top paths. Very muddy couple of fields when I completed it in January but all easily navigable....

Eddie Jones

Easy to navigate, great views of the surroundings on the stretch between Bakewell and Rowsley especially, comfortable surfaces for walking, overall a great route!...

mtormey

Walked from Bakewell to Rowsley mid March and then April Rowsley to Darley Dale (forgot my camera for that stretch). Bakewell, Rowsley and Darley Dale are all well connected by buses and have facilities - in Rowsley Peak Village....

SeaGreen

Starting at the meeting point at Darley Dale, we cross Station Road and walk down a short way before turning right into the park. The only place where one can go wrong is the junction of Coombs Road and Park Road - we take the right turn onto Coombs Road, which has a rough gravel surface until beyond Coombs Farm....

Hugh Hudson

Beyond the bridge we take the surfaced path left into the fields by the river, following the field paths to Holme Lane, where we turn left to the footbridge over the Wye. Beyond the A6020 we cross a field (in winter one can take a straight line, but when the crops are high it might be better to follow the right hand edge of the field), At the wall a well trodden path leads along the side of the plantation to a track which leads up to Longreave Lane. We go left a very short distance then up the road to the right into Rowland, following the surfaced road up the hill beyond the village (there was a road closure here yesterday because they were digging up the pipes, but I was able to walk past this without any trouble). We emerge at New Bridge, and leave the road immediately to follow the Derwent Valley Heritage Trail path left to a bridge over a side stream then right along the Derwent. We take the road right over the old bridge, turning left onto Hollogate and straight on along Spooner Lane, which soon becomes a path paved with old stones. Our route goes right a short distance then takes the grassy field path left through the fields by the Derwent....

Hugh Hudson

Nice exit from Longnor and lots of easy pleasant walking....

Ken

I was a little reluctant to be the first reviewer of this route because I haven't yet walked it end to end in its current form, and I don't think I have ever walked the Butts Road route out of Bakewell. I have walked and enjoyed the direct path through Upper Lathkill dale to Monyash, but that was a few years ago and I wasn't thinking about potential obstacles and difficulties at the time. The rest of the route is the same as LONBAK 1, which I walked and reviewed in more detail last week....

Hugh Hudson

From this point the path becomes uneven and narrow until the top of the Dale when you go through a small wood. From there there right path takes you to a small underpass where I went under the High Peak Trail. Another field and I was again walking a small, quiet road. But walking up the rise I came to the view of High Wheeldon and a small road with a footpath sign on the other side. The footpath points to the gate and path that goes straight up High Wheeldon....

Lynn Jackson

Leaving Bakewell, the route uses the main road south past a petrol station, then turns into a housing estate to find a steep path up the hill, which has a number of steps. A twisty and fairly steep road takes you most of the way down to the Lathkill, but just before the bridge a clear path/track goes straight on west where the road turns south. Eventually a rather charming old lane takes the Limestone Way directly into Monyash, but for reasons I don't understand our route takes a fork right into another field path with more stone stiles, which reaches the road through the churchyard. The next path leaves a corner of a small car park and could easily be missed - it goes round a few cottages before taking a diagonal line across fields (more stone stiles). A rough path crosses moorland and goes under a little bridge at the Tissington Trail, emerging onto a quiet road, which goes up quite a long hill, leading to a fine viewpoint....

Hugh Hudson

I hadn't walked this route before plotting so it was a pleasure to go take a look. The route gently climbs alongside the River Hipper which feed the ancient mill pond beside which the public footpath keeps the route off road. The real climb start here and is relentless but arriving in Bakewell I felt the east west route offered gentler climbs. The short cut west of the bridge is signed Rowsley then our route again climbs along a track towards Calton Pastures a very pleasant area to walk over....

Ken

This is a varied and challenging route through East Moor, up to Hartland Edge and along the edge of the Chatsworth House estate....

Slow Ways Darren

However Butt's Road provides a better route into Bakewell....

Malcolm Boura

A mix, match and slight amendment would take most of the route along the Monsal Trail a popular cycle track along the level old rail line. I thought I knew the area but I had never walked along Tideswell Dale so after following a back lane which linked to a narrow footpath I had a short section of roadside pavement before taking the surfaced popular path which follows the stream through the deep sided Dale. The footpath up to the Monsal trail is a weak link being steep and narrow. Across fields to Great Longstone then skirting the village before more fields takes us back to the trail but we stay on the road along a rather narrow pavement to take a quiet footpath which eventually rejoins Tidbak-1 to enter Bakewell....

Ken

The permissive path at Water-Cum-Jolly Dale has a bridge over the weir to Cressbrook this has been classed as unsafe and is closed....

Ken

Having following the plotted route into the dale I suggest this is very nice but it's a tour not the direct route and it involves a good climb out in whichever direction you travel. The direct quiet road has a pavement, narrow in places but it stays on the higher ground. The route heads north to Meadow Place Grange an impressive collection of old farm buildings between which the route passes before dropping down into Lathkill Dale then a climb up the other site. More quiet road walking although I did see a bus go past displaying a 'Not in Service' destination....

Ken

This is a great White Peak walk, it's hard work and there are cattle, steep climbs and narrow rocky paths....

Ken

This is a great White Peak walk, it's hard work and there are cattle, steep climbs and narrow rocky paths. It's are easy to follow but I am suggesting a few minor tweaks so recommend Buxbak-2. From here it's an immediate climb to the market place and what the map marks as the bus station. That had all been fairly easy walking but get ready for Deep Dale. Another track and a climb passing the village spring. If you don't require Taddington services stay on the top road to avoid a climb. After more track walking, Deep Dale (two) well it's a different parish so it's their deep dale. It's not as deep as the first but still a climb....

Ken

The southern section is easy flat walking along a cycle track fenced in at times and with less interest unless trains are operating. The track also starts to climb offering good views into a valley, not the one used by the road so it's also peaceful. After the meeting of other tracks another short climb then it's down into Rowsley along a smooth stoned track shared with farm traffic. It's easy walking but no seats and not to my taste especially as there were no trains running alongside to offer interest....

Ken

Leaving Bakewell on the flat on a lane to the rear of the show ground it continues until the first appearance of the old Midland Railway route to Manchester at the quite impressive bridge the road becomes a good solid track rising gradually with view back towards Bakewell past Combs Farm the track worsens slightly to its highest point to the rear of Hadden Hall, at this point there are several paths the one to follow is the wider one to your left proceeding forward towards Rowsley....

dave smith

Original path heading down to Calver is now blocked off with undergrowth but a new path round it is established (see photos in partner's review)....

Sue Lindley

It helps to have an OS map as the path deviates slightly from GPX route....

philtooze

Bakewell to Combes road is very accessible, from the end of combes road to Rowsley is a rough finished green lane, easy enough by foot, also fine by mountain bike or hybrid bike (to rough for a road bike!), possible by off road buggy but only for the adventurous who don't mind a bumpy ride!! Rowsley to Darley Dale is very accessible along the trail, perfect for walking, biking, buggies and wheel chairs. I have given 4 stars not 5 due to the rough green lane between Combes Road and Rowsley meaning in is not really accessible by wheel chair....

Sarah Charker

Negociating the route through Calver was a little complicated but then, after a cliimb it was an enjoyable stroll down into Bakewell....

PostmanPaul

Starting in Chesterfield town centre, where there are plenty of refreshment options, the route crosses a footbridge into Queen’s Park then follows quiet urban roads through a former industrial area. After passing next to the disused Walton Mill the route emerges alongside a Morrisons supermarket before crossing Walton Road at a pelican crossing. The route then follows a well surfaced footpath and cycleway alongside a lake, through woodland and across Somersall Park before crossing Somersall Lane and leaving Chesterfield. From here the route climbs out of the village along Loads Road before branching off along farm tracks and across fields towards the small settlement of Upper Loads where it joins Claypit Lane, a minor road with little traffic. At the end of Claypit Lane the route briefly joins a busier road with fast moving traffic. After the stile the route turns downhill onto a track which is initially very uneven but becomes a surfaced road serving Beeley Hilltop Farm. From here the route follows a minor road which skirts the small village of Calton Lees before becoming a well surfaced track....

Jamie M