You eventually reach Highgate Lane where you turn left (Photo 2). When you reach the bottom you turn left (Photo 8) on a track with the busy A61 behind the trees to your right. You turn left (first exit) then cross the road using the pedestrian refuge (Photo 9) turning right up Sheffield Road. You turn left at a public footpath sign (Photo 10). Now the mapped way does not go along this path but continues north for a bit before turning right across the same field; however the way ahead is overgrown and almost impassable so it is suggested that you use the footpath shown in Photo 11 instead. You turn right at a footpath sign (Photo 12) ignoring the stile on your left. After a short distance you turn right at a footpath sign, keeping to the right of the car park. At the top of the steps you turn left to reach Chesterfield Canal where you turn right (Photo 14)....

Malcolm

I missed the shortcut just east of Burbage Bridge but included it here because it is closer to the original route than the dogleg I used, and is easier to see travelling east to west. For a detailed review with pictures, see HatDro two....

Hugh Hudson

Starting outside Hathersage station we follow streets round to the path that climbs steeply to Sheffield Road, where we go left to find the lane slanting up the hillside. It is easy enough to follow the path half left towards the lower slopes of Higger Tor, then another wetter path bends back round to meet the ridge path north of Carl Wark. Here we turn right, taking care along the short road/verge section, then follow a clear but rough bridlepath down through the wood (lots of tree roots and a few muddy sections) then trending left to follow the stream down to civilisation. We leave the farm track to take another path that continues to follow the stream to Old Hay Lane, where we turn right immediately onto a narrow path that descends to cross the stream then joins a farm road. We turn left down Penny Lane, passing the Cricket Inn, then take a cobbled path up the hill to Hillfoot Road. Here we turn right then take the last field path left, which is enclosed between fences and walls but still manages to have a lot of stiles....

Hugh Hudson

The way goes beside the River Rother with its quiet setting, and then joins the Chesterfield Canal. The walk goes along this canal with its scenic views. Eventually you reach the Chesterfield Road to go towards Dronfield. Finally you rejoin Chesterfield Road to reach Dronfield Station from where you can catch a train back to Chesterfield....

Malcolm

I walked it in late November after heavy rain from Dronfield to Eckington. I dropped down onto the track, but this was also a problem after heavy rain as it was full of flowing water....

Tim Ryan

I walked this route from Hathersage to Dronfield found it to be a first class route, The route out of Hathersage is up through woodland along a bridleway which soon brings you out along a byway and onto footpaths up to Hathersage Moor....

Tim Ryan

The route though Dronfield to Dronfield Woodhouse is mostly along enclosed footpaths through housing estates, but pleasant nonetheless and you soon after passing under the A61 flyover you find yourself in open countryside along the field boundary edge to the north of Dronfield Woodhouse. Once you get to the woods at Moss Road you are on a delightful bridleway as it climbs up along the Sheffield Country Way on Moss Road and across Totley Moor....

Tim Ryan

I followed the good cycle path (entered just before crossing the railway) through Hutcliffe Wood alongside the railway to reach Archer Road, rather than use the official route through Millhouses Park. After Archer Road the route is well signposted 'to Granville Square' and obvious on the ground, although it is far from obvious on the OS 1:25,000 map. I liked the 'green section' of fields, woodland, parks and public open spaces' between Dronfield and Archer Road, and I enjoyed the challenge of threading the paths together along the Sheaf Valley with frequent interpretation features to tell about the history....

StephenWalker

You could do this route by bicycle if you divert through Hutcliffe Wood instead of through Millhouses Park, which would be a nice diversion for anyone. Instead, keep going up the road from the Tesco and rejoin the route at the top of Troutback Road about 150m further on. I preferred to walk through Greenhill park (Lowedges park) instead of going through the streets near the transport ground. Millhouses park has a kiosk but it was closed as I passed at 1735 however, beyond the park, you'll pass a massive Tesco with a café or if you turn right over the bridge after leaving the park, there's also a Sainsbury with a café....

PeteS

I walked from Hathersage to Dronfield in early August. In a couple of places the gradient, especially up to Burbage Moor, is very steep but not for too long. In the woods leaving Hathersage, stay on the downslope side when encountering any forks. Don't climb the highest hill on Houndkirk Moor, but stay South of it. After leaving Hathersage, there aren't any places to stop for refreshments until you get to the shops at Barnes Lane in Gosforth. There are also places to get food at the shops outside Dronfield station. Dronfield station has only places to sit down. Hathersage can be reached from Sheffield using the 271/272 Castleton bus or some variants of the 257, although I had to get off at Bamford turnaround and walk a couple of km to Hathersage on that day. In Hathersage there is the grave of Little John, Robin Hood's friend, in the Church yard, and various places north of the village are of interest to Jane Eyre fans, such as Brookefield Manor, North Lees Hall and Moorseats....

PeteS

Beyond the railway bridge the left turn looks a little uninviting, as it doubles as the entry point for a building site, but we soon leave the road on a little path right that heads uphill with a few steps. We reach a quiet back road and go right a short distance, then left above the phone masts and a good path through the fields. Where it forks, we bear left, and a short narrow muddy section leads to a path along the field edge. Here we turn left on a good wide track, passing a popular cafe (we are now beyond the middle third of the walk) and continue past a short narrower section to an old bridge where we turn right and pass the busy Morrisons car park and cross into Staveley's surprisingly pleasant market square, where the meeting point has a choice of benches....

Hugh Hudson

After crossing Windmill Lane the route follows the edge of Grasscroft Wood, climbing gently to a summit. As we reach the valley floor we cross under the railway, cross a meadow and reach the canal bank. After a further short walk we cross a narrow bridge and climb a narrow lane to reach the town centre....

StephenWalker

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

I enjoyed the way out of Chesterfield via residential streets and through Ashgate Park, Loundsley Green Park and Holmebrook Country Park....

StephenWalker

It starts in the pleasant town of Dronfield with a walk through quiet residential roads. You walk past the water tower (a water tower) and turn right at The Water Tower (a pub, sadly closed atm), then there’s a pleasant walk down, and then up through parkland and out into suburbia past the famous green towers....

Susan

I walked this, starting in Dronfield, with my sister, stopping at her house for lunch, as she lives quite near to the Water Tower, just beyond halfway. We soon left Dronfield and headed through a series of well-used field paths which were quite muddy at the time....

Mary Oz

This is an excellent countryside walk....

StephenWalker

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

Overall we enjoyed it and it was received by the team, if the weather was better we could have finished the trail as the rest seemed to be town flat roads but would have finished on approx would be 18 miles....

FourSeason Walking and Hiking Club

I agree with Ken that the choice of meeting point for Eckington (a pavement just beyond the post office with no benches or other facilities) is bizarre and indefensible, but we are where we are and it is the right end of the village for this route, which starts up Berry Avenue, and beyond the hill we continue down an alleyway path to reach the edge of the village, where we turn left along Back Lane. Beyond the houses we take the farm lane half right, then follow the little path to the left up the hill. Above the little wood, once the airstrip fence ends, there is nothing to prevent the direct line down being taken rather than the right of way, and we reach Summerley Lane down steps and turn left to find the next path....

Hugh Hudson

Prickly nettle filled footpath after Coal Aston petrol station after which there is a straw filled field...

Josh

Turn left on London Rd and cross at the crossing near ///frames.pushy.will follow Saxon Rd and then turn left on to the path at ///fats.clots.lived at the end of this path you will rejoin the original route at ///jams.jokes.skill. Rather than turning down Troutbeck Rd at ///chairs.third.fried, continue along Abbeydale Rd to ///tags.change.bared and then turn left down to the Tesco car park, where you will meet the original route. In my opinion it is better to follow the path on the western side and cross at ///help.exam.begun, there is an island crossing here and the traffic is slow due to the adjacent roundabout, the crossing felt very safe.4...

Tom Mitchell

From Staveley Market Place the route passes close by a large supermarket so top up because there's not much on this Slow Way. The route passes a sports field and becomes a little overgrown before arriving at a small industrial estate which houses Drone Valley Brewery....

Ken

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

This is generally a good route,care needs to be taken shortly after the start as it winds it ‘s way through a large new development (after passing under the A61)insuring one stays on route.From Mickey open fields and woodland follow.crossing Baslow Road the moors are to be seen in the distance Moss Road is mostly tarmac until reaching Totley moor.This area offers some very good views of Sheffield and beyond,A small amount of pavement walking (6521 passing Fox inn/ Longshaw estate).Towards the end of route crossing the A6187 and heading via Mothers Cap became confusing as there a number of paths,it was possible eventually to find the correct route however care needed.The last stage is straightforward.No access issues,good public transport links( trains)either end.Underfoot mostly good some mud.Enjoyed this walk it has plenty to offer....

J w ollid

From the meeting place the network of sometimes unrecorded paths provide a very pleasant off road route with a gentle climb through the much expanded town. We only cross the well walked path alongside the bright stream before taking a sunken path to arrive at the Hatherrsage Road by a car park. As discovered from the review of Hatdro-1 the definitive path is not available and this sets the tone for the next section of the walk. From there the walked path takes us to Over Owler Tor where it's difficult to see a walked path close to the definitive and plotted route. I followed walked paths to meet the definitive path which heads north and from here it was simple to follow the plot on a path along a fence line then to a gate at the road. Once that right to roam experiance was over it was again straightforward to follow the plotted route down a very pleasant path which becomes a track to return to the Hathersage Road....

Ken

I walked this Slow Way on a Sunday afternoon and, overall, was impressed. The Slow Way then heads west on well-defined paths with only a couple of short stretches of road thrown in to link the various paths. The only unpleasant stretch of road was Snowdon Road but, on this occasion, the impact of the traffic was mitigated by wide verges that allowed me to get off the road when cars approached. From Elm Tree Farm down in to Dronfield that Slow Way follows a hollow way that should be delightful. Yes, the stretch on the fast road has wide verges....

Andrew Sheldon

A steady climb along estate roads out of Dronfield after departing along the main drive through the park, not as plotted, another green space approaching Coal Aston. Crossing the Meers Brook at the exit from the nature reserve this route climbs again to pass the impressive green towers before a steady roadside descent into Sheffield passing the huge bus depot and a castle like lodge. I didn't like what I'm sure is an unnecessary climb to the green towers, I'm sure there must be a better route that continues downwards....

Ken

The route then follows good quality paths that skirt through the housing estates to the West of Chesterfield with occassional stretches on roads before joining the dog walkers in Holmebrook Valley country park - where I was delighted to spot a group of Mergansers in the large lake. The good quality path then climbs out of the country park, before a short stretch of road walking through Cutthorpe and then cutting through farmland and a small wooded copse with a narrow bridge across a stream over to the village of Barlow....

paul.scholey

Some services just off route at Marsh Lane but nothing else. A short road section soon leads to the pleasant Back Lane no traffic on the green track which has the backs of houses to one side and what appears to be green access land to the other. The route at Marsh Lane could be simplified and improved but was fine. The Dronfield meeting place needs a tweak onto a pleasant small area of grass between the southbound platform and the road where there is a seat....

Ken

This route uses paths that are not rights of way and should not be attempted. See Droeck-2 which offers a better route....

Ken

The start of the walk (photo 1) took me to a park set in a small dip in Dronfield itself. The first rural path (photo 2) is very rural into a small farm to get to the lane (photo 3). Climbing over a stile and though a small wood I walked into Totley and said ‘Good Morning’ to a local – a brief chat and I discovered that he also walks the path past the school that I was about to take. From there it was a straightforward walk to Totley Bent’s Recreation Ground and a walk along the lane to take me to Moss Road (photo 6). I went through the entry gate to the moor (photo 7) and onto the muddy path straight up and over Totley Moor. I walked onto the small quiet road to take me onto the final leg of my journey (photo 15 – I lost the light at this point.) After a stile and a smaller lane I was walking into a small wood which took me to the back of Hathersage Booths and into Hathersage itself...

Lynn Jackson

The .gpx path is not accurate enough to provide a clear path up to Mother Cap and my initial view of what I thought was the path was that it was not a great path for Slow Ways and the actual path (I think) was rarely used and not clear. Although the Mother Cap path is an inconvenience, it was the stile that stopped this route from being recommended....

Lynn Jackson

Eventually you should see a little bridge down to the right, which we cross and go up the far side through muddy fields to reach Hackney Lane, which we follow through Barlow, where there is a pub, then straight on onto Furnace Lane, which takes a right turn and eventually leads us across Barlow Brook to the mill. We turn right onto Salisbury Road, part of which is now just a footpath, and follow it right along the bottom of the golf course then left down the hill. We use a shortcut path, with steps (avoidable by staying on Salisbury Road a little further) down to Hallowes Lane, where we go left down the hill....

Hugh Hudson

We cross Green Lane and continue down Callywhite Lane, then turn left into Cliffe Park slightly further west than the GPX line, and follow the path out right to join the public footpath that comes up through industrial buildings. We turn left to join this path, then right a short distance along Stonelow Road then left up Oakhill Road, turning left onto Holmesdale Road where there are shops. On the far side, we turn left using the pavement, which is some distance from the road, and follow it along Norton Avenue and Hemsworth Road then a short distance up Blackstock Road to a gap in the hedge where we cross and continue along Hemsworth Road, turning right down Ashbury Lane and continuing down the path at its end, which crosses a golf course between fences and leads into Carr Wood. We follow the paved path below the road to the right, following Callow Road below the tower blocks then going left up Callow Drive to find the surfaced path (with steps) past Gleadless Medical Centre to Gleadless Road, We turn left and cross at the traffic lights, turning right up Daresbury Road, which leads to East Bank Road, which we cross at the lights then follow down the hill to the left....

Hugh Hudson

Walked from Dronfield to Sheffield.This is almost a very good route, but the plotting is wayward in important places and the dangerous road crossing mentioned by the first reviewer can and should be avoided. When walking north from Dronfield, note that the footpaths can only be reached from Wilson Road at the sign where the first footpath goes left - the footpath diamond on the OS map on the cul de sac is wrong. The plotting of the route down East Bank Road suggests a route through the parkland that doesn't exist....

Hugh Hudson

A shop at New Whittington and an easy walk alongside the Chesterfield canal but leaving near the end to pass Chesterfield College. Crossing another road the path is fairly well waymarked for the Drone Valley Way and Chesterfield Round but follow the plot. A dog leg over another minor road and now it's to the north of Grasscroft Wood after which a view of Chesterfield can be studied from the field with horses. I should mention that walking from Chesterfield the exit path may be difficult to locate, see the picture....

Ken

I walked Chesterfield to Dronfield on a hot day, the ground was dry but one section showed sign of flooding and had an uneven surface, otherwise the surface was good and excellent Chesterfield to Cutthorpe. The path runs along the edge of the park with back gardens to one side before turning to cross the brook to pass alongside a lake then steps up to the bridle path, the steps can be avoided but misses the lakeside path. Over the bridge there are multiple paths so care is needed but it's basically up hill on the bridleway to discover a golf course on the left....

Ken

There are a number of improvements that could be made, specifically to avoid a long road section on the approach to Eckington and I'll upload an alternate route shortly....

paul.scholey

Positive notes include: a lovely walk along the Chesterfield canal towpath, a short hike through some old birch and oak woods, followed by an up-and-over through a Scots pine plantation....

Oliver Boothroyd

A pleasant walk from Dronfield to Sheffield along mainly quiet roads and across arable farmland. Once the rote gets closer to Sheffield city centre the path inevitably starts to follow busier, albeit safe roads. There is one particularly dangerous road crossing over a busy and fast dual carriageway with a break between carriageways....

paul.scholey

This was a result of the generally well marked Sheffield Country walk suddenly being unsigned above Totley where there are numerous moorland paths. Had I been more attentive to my map I'd have been fine. I'd use this again but with a little more care!...

Bshepherd