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

It starts with an evident path across grass but as the dale narrows the path is distinct but less even over lumps of limestone. Dropping down another dale into the Manifold Valley along a path with more limestone which can be slippery, polished by the feet of visitors. The path along the course of what was the Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway is like walking a country lane to Waterhouses with the only passing traffic, bicycles. Meeting the road at Waterhouses stay with the cycle path which passes through the old station where more loos and benches are provided before a short walk to the meeting place which has seats but alongside the busy main road....

Ken

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

Here we go straight on over a hurdle, more stiles and a few steps to reach the High Peak trail. We follow the railway past Harborough Rocks and through Longcliffe until we reach a little wood under Minninglow, beyond which the track we take is helpfully signposted as a cycle route to Biggin....

Hugh Hudson

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

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

Eddie Jones

Well plotted but a poor bridle path west of Sheen is unused and soft going so I recommend Lonbig-2 which uses a parallel footpath that shows good usage....

Ken

Bus service links Biggin, Hartington and Longnor plus Buxton and Ashbourne. Highfield Lane offers a direct traffic free track to Hartington where it enters passing the Youth Hostel....

Ken

The route can be split in two the first half along green lanes and the High Peak Trail. The route out of Biggin is shared with Bigwir-3 or it's possible to use Bigwir-1 so a few options. The Limestone Way goes via Grangemill where there is an inn but our route cuts the corner to Ible it's a gentle down to the road which needs care as there is no verge but a direct crossing when there is a gap in the traffic. It's a climb up to Ible and the path here is hidden but find the steps which offer assurance the path has been found. Back on the Limestone Way at Ible cattle in fields but they have no interest in me....

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

The track eventually follows a stream, occasionally too close, yes it can be muddy, then across open fields to the road. A short section of approach road has no pavement so care is needed. The path drops to cross the Newhaven road, then climbs again. Pikehall has a very short section of busy road with a narrow and eroding verge. Another section of track leads to a short walk along the High Peak Trail. The final approach to Biggin is along a roadside pavement....

Ken

No refreshments along the way so go prepared but there are seats and views worth time to take in. I do like pottering  around the narrow streets and alleyways of Wirksworth, who remembers the Hovis advert, Wirksworth has a Gold Hill of its own. Just off route but well worth a visit when it's open....

Ken

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

It starts out on a quiet, wide road out if Biggin and once across the A515, follows the National Cycle Route 548 through stone-walled farmland for a few miles until it meets the High Peak trail. These cycle route sections of the route are very easy to navigate and there are only a few wide gates along the way. The first was just after leaving the High Peak trail, where the footpath (which is signed on a wooden post) goes right off the track, stepping over some low rocks, just before little the live-in van encampment (w3w material.hotspots.describe)....

Mockymock

The route across Carrington Pasture and Bee Nest Mine (disused) is not a right of way....

Ken

Nice walk but at 13 miles this is a tour, a direct route (see Bigwir3) is 3 miles shorter but has no refreshment stops along the way so take your pick....

Ken

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