Rowsley

Walk Report

Rowsley, Congreave, Sleepwalk Wood, Nine Ladies Stone Circle, Barn Farm, Clough Wood, Wensley, Darley Bridge, Derwent Valley Heritage Way

A group of 5 set off from the Old Station Car Park, Rowsley. The weather was overcast and breezy at the start, the clouds cleared and it remained sunny and warm for the rest of the walk. Not as hot as the previous week and pleasant for walking.

Going past the busy car boot sale active at the recreation ground, the group followed the footpath towards Dove House Farm and continued the steep climb up to and on to Pilhough Lane. Here we took a drinks break with the opportunity for excellent views of Haddon Hall and Bakewell in the distance.

We continued the steady climb and proceeded through Sleepwalk Wood crossing Lees Road to enter Stanton Moor Plantation. Following the paths to reach the Nine Ladies Stone Circle. We had our deserved coffee break here and consumed the flapjack provided by the leader. Refreshed the group moved on towards the Earl Grey Tower and followed the overgrown paths to descend onto Lees Road and Barn Farm. Going through this busy camping site the group followed the paths through the fields to reach Clough Lane.

Following this rough rutted lane the group continued in a westerly direction to pick up the footpath going into Clough Wood. The first section was extremely overgrown with thick nettles and tall bracken. Unscathed the group carried on and followed the wide path through this old woodland going past the old lead mine to reach the top of Oldfield Lane. The group headed down this lane towards Darley Bridge. We did see a couple of stoats chasing each other down this lane.

After 1/4 mile and finally finding the very overgrown and hidden stile the group followed the footpath through Cambridge Wood towards Wensley. This woodland was quite dense in places and tricky underfoot with low lying brambles providing ideal trip hazards! After reaching the outskirts of Wensley the group had lunch in a shaded spot.

The group picked up the footpath towards Field Farm and Crossgreen and continued through fields and lanes to descend towards Darley Bridge to reach the DVHW (Derwent Valley Heritage Way) The group followed this popular flat route back for about 3 miles. Taking in the cricket ground and church at Churchtown. At Rowsley South Station the group followed the trail through the shaded woodland to follow the River Derwent upstream and back to the start point and the end of the walk.

It was a walk of many different environments, steep climbs at the start, ancient moorlands and woodlands and then a flat river and field walk at the end. It was enjoyed by all of the group.