One slight quibble with the GPX plot - the route from Valley Drive to Main Road should go up Salcombe Close, and there is no parallel path behind the houses. Leaving the Eastwood meeting point, we go east along Nottingham Road to the top of the hill, then left and right onto Charles Avenue, left and right onto Valley Road, then (ignoring the GPX) left up Salcombe Close, and right at the end along the path to Main Road....

Hugh Hudson

Here there is a shop and it was good to see that the surface of the next path has been improved along the edge of recent house building. The path, signed to Codnor Castle, is again well used along a field edge and in the dip it looks like the stream can flood. I'm not happy about the narrow path which is provided into the next fields, less than one metre wide just to retain private vehicle access for the owner across the bridge....

Ken

We cross Lower Beauvale and take the second path half right which leads across the edge of the park to a bigger path, where we go half right, then turn left up the farm road at the crossroads. Where the farm road turns right up the hill, we go straight on and follow the field path to reach Brinsley on Mansfield Road. Here we turn sharp left along another farm road which becomes a track and then a field path, crossing the Erewash and going up half right towards a row of houses....

Hugh Hudson

This is a good direct route in dry conditions, but the descent through the fields from Kimberley was very sticky - the worst kind of wet ploughed clay. We cross Maws Lane and go straight on along Edinboro Row, which leads out into another small park, which we cross diagonally half right, then continue down through the fields, initially still on the Robin Hood Way....

Hugh Hudson

Our road uses an alleyway to reach Knapp Avenue, and we turn left down Church Street, and cross the by-pass on the road bridge. The path right leads is through a park to emerge on Ilkeston Road, which we cross and turn right, turning left along Church Street to the meeting point in the market place....

Hugh Hudson

A good direct route, slightly spoiled by the narrow steps down to the canal at the Ilkeston end which mean it is not perfect for accessibilty....

Hugh Hudson

On reaching Cordy Lane we turn right and follow the pavement on the right hand side of the road to the corner, where the path goes left just before the bus shelter (I couldn't see a sign but the path is obvious if you are looking for it). We turn left at a T junction and then right through the field, picking up a farm track which leads through left of Willey Wood Farm. At another T junction we turn right and continue following the clear farm track past Coney Grey Farm most of the way to the edge of Eastwood, turning right at a crossroads and left through the edge of a park to emerge on Lower Beauvale....

Hugh Hudson

I am not sure I agree that it is entirely wheelchair friendly - parts of the old canal cycle track are a bit rough and the corner-cutting shortcut path south of Shipley Gate goes straight across fields on an unsurfaced path (and the route the GPX uses does not follow the well-used path on the ground), but I can see how this aspiration dictated the route through Awsworth, though I don't understand going the long way round the junction where Awsworth Lane meets Main Street. These are minor quibbles, and overall I am happy to recommend this route....

Hugh Hudson

The few muddy sections could be avoided easily. Once more the few muddy sections could be avoided easily....

StephenWalker

The first section is on quiet roads with short lengths of footpath to link them. From here a quiet lane with extensive views leads through lower Brinsley to reach the A608....

StephenWalker

For navigation purposes, when walking from Hucknall, the only highlight is at Brooksbreasting Farm (W3W ///increases.lunge.user), where you take the path on the field to the immediate right of the Farm, once you are on the path it is clearly signposted....

Lynn Jackson

Nice route that now bypasses the footpath in Newthorpe that has been temporarily closed for the last 8 or 9 years....

Leigh

A small diversion allows you to walk over Bennerley Viaduct which provides views up and down the Erewash valley....

Leigh

This is the remains of a review that won't delete itself....

StephenWalker

The fields from Newthorpe were pretty muddy, so needed to clean up before entering the relative civilisation of Kimberley....

StephenWalker

The exit from Ilkeston was on quiet roads with pavements....

StephenWalker

A quiet exit from Eastwood downhill on residential roads....

StephenWalker

Disinterested cattle in one field and a tea shop at Greasley church hall. Greasley church tower soon offers a waymark and on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday you can get a coffee and cake between 10am and 3pm in the church hall. All too soon we are back on the urban fringe initially hemmed in but later the road has open views of Leiver's and Long Hills, neither huge but a pleasant outlook for the houses opposite....

Ken

I amended the route slightly on departure from Kimberley taking the high road rather than the busy low road. This route passes the old Great Northern station building the Slow Way Kimarn heads off along the trackbed. Kimberley had two stations and the former Midland building is now a house behind which work on conversion of the old Kimberley Brewery is underway....

Ken

Over the bypass and a short section of the disused Nottingham canal where a swing bridge still takes the path over the water. The path beside the Erewash canal is shared with cyclists but I saw none on this Monday. With a hedge of sorts to one side and water on the other this path like many others has no escape route but here I don't have that feeling of being trapped. Another lock with lots of water spilling over the gates then a section of path shared with traffic to canalside properties....

Ken

At Willey Wood Farm the route takes the second path left after the farm. I did wonder about a diversion via Oaktree Farm to avoid the busy road but there is a pavement and leaving the traffic the plotted path is excellent along the old rail line that once served Selston Colliery. I had reservations about the road section to Bagthorpe when field paths were available but the Red Lion looked inviting, although closed as I passed. Looking at the map this area looks quite built up and the trip by road would be passing ribbon development most of the way but this route passes through green fields with some excellent views, highly recommended....

Ken

Enjoyable route following the Erewash canal for the main part. Easy walking, good surfaces and minimal gradients. Following the route is straightforward....

Martin

The route is relatively short but a lot of beside road walking and then when off street paths, the tracks are either mostly steep in ascent or descent.Not suitable for pushchair or wheel chair users. Good views of Eastwood, Newthorpe and beyond towards Derbyshire Peaks from the top of the hill outside Kimberley....

Nick Milson

Away from the traffic on minor roads with pavements, footways or US sidewalks (not footpaths). Narrow bridge with steps at river crossing....

Ken

Good views over the Erewash valley, the imposing remains of Codnor castle and the Nature Reserve in the valley....

Ken