Beyond the junction with Church Lane we continue down Station Road, then take the fenced path left that goes steeply back up the hill. We cross under the A38 then take the path left parallel to the main road. Storth Lane takes us to the old main road, which we cross and follow more residential streets (why this is a footpath when the streets look like they have been there for years is a bit of a mystery) to Downing Street, from where paved and enclosed paths lead us to the South Normanton meeting point (Market Close is probably a better route choice than the narrow and less direct alleyway)...

Hugh Hudson

We are soon on the easy walk down the pavement of Nottingham Road, which can be crossed either at a zebra crossing where we join it or a pelican crossing lower down. The path soon rejoins the access road for the Derbyshire Police HQ, and lower down there is no pavement and plenty of traffic, until we pass the police dog training site on the Coach Road. Here I ignored the GPX and tried the shortcut path, which is a little overgrown but easy enough, with no stiles, and it saves an unnecessary dogleg and some pavement walking so I recommend it. Eventually we reach a farm lane where we cross the stream and continue along a fenced path past the farm buildings (ignore the signposted path left over the stile), then follow the lane which takes us to Nottingham Road in Selston at the meeting point, i.e....

Hugh Hudson

The Mansfield and Pinxton Railway (M&PR) that we cross here for a second time claims to be the oldest railway line still in use but the current line has been amended from the route of the original tramway and currently very few trains use the route as can be seen from the unpolished rails. The road through the industrial estate was the original line of the M&PR it's not recorded as public highway which explains the potholes....

Ken

Where the road forks, we take the dead end straight on, then take the path to the left of the last house that leads down to the old railway. Where the path splits it is not necessary to take the rising right fork, as the left branch wastes less energy and leads to the same footbridge over the Robin Hood line, which has steps on both sides. A short path leads to an industrial road which we follow left up to the B6020, which we follow right to the meeting point or left to the station....

Hugh Hudson

Starting at the bus station in Alfreton, we follow the eastbound buses out along Hall Street and left up Cressy Street, then turn right along High Street and straight on along Nottingham Road. Beyond the bridge we follow the path right and left between industrial buildings to Cotes Park Lane, which we cross and go right to the next junction where we turn left. Beyond the pool we turn left across the railway then take the little path right, turning right again to the right of a gated building, then cross the railway again (stiles here)....

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

Unless you want to view the locked gate (see first picture), just turn right along the far pavement of the A611 and follow it to the roundabout and turn left long Nabbs Lane then follow Whyburn Lane to the farm and continue up the hill on a well marked but sometimes muddy field path. We follow the right edge of the field to an obvious path through the wood, which crosses a couple of bigger tracks before emerging onto an open field with a wide gravel track around it - we follow that right and under the M1 through a bridge. A little beyond the bridge we turn left into Kennel Lane, which leads along the edge of the wood and past a farm to a T-junction where we turn right onto Weavers Lane. Cross the bridge and follow the track to Annesley Lane, which leads to Nottingham Road and the Selston meeting point, passing a large Co-op....

Hugh Hudson

At Pinxton there is a section through the Industrial Estate (A good cafe here)....

StephenWalker

There is a wide grass verge alongside the busy road before turning down the footpath track leading to the rail crossing....

StephenWalker

After crossing the railway approaching Pinxton it uses a path that is on the ground and is well used but not on the map....

Ken

The first section through Cotes Park is well defined but not very uplifting (except for the Cotes Ponds and wood)....

StephenWalker

There is a pavement beside the roads leaving Selston....

StephenWalker

From Selston there is a mile along the main roads before a farm track path avoids field crossings. Approaching the A608 by junction 27 a footpath is signed in the field but it's better to use the roadside pavement because it's not clear how the east end of the the path joins the road. The next bridge has steps, stiles and mud then a narrow holly lined path around Misk Farm but it's short lived....

Ken

From Woodhouse a short section of narrow busy road then across fields to the edge of Selston. Forest Road is a busy cut through for traffic and when it becomes Salmon Lane the pavement disappears. Crossing the motorway the path uses a farm track before meeting Salmon Lane for a pavement walk to the Selston meeting point....

Ken

This route is well plotted starting along fenced field edges then more fenced in paths around the edge of Westwood and Jacksdale before a pleasant section alongside the disused Cromford canal. So I'm disappointed that I'm restricted to a narrow fenced route, overgrown, since stock no longer have access to graze it. The first mile and a half is alongside the often weed infested canal then close to the tunnel mouth, which needs a detour to inspect, the route joins the former Butterley Toll roads. Some have become adopted roads but here it's only a public footpath and the owners make futile attempts to prevent unauthorised vehicle use, so care is needed....

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

Definitive paths are obstructed across Smotherfly open cast site which was not reinstated....

Ken

Good plotted GPX but challenging snickets between houses from estate roads, navigate with extreme care....

Ken