The Derbyshire Portway - Part 1

The Derbyshire Portway is a Long Distance Footpath, that starts in Nottinghamshire and then crosses the county border into Derbyshire, the route then goes through Derbyshire’s Erewash area, across the Amber Valley, continuing through Derby Dales as it enters the Peak District National Park. The route is 4000 years old which makes it one of the oldest trails in the UK. It starts at the Hemlock Stone a sandstone outcrop believed to be used as an altar for the Druids and wanders through Derbyshire passing many landscape features and locations before reaching Mam Tor and it summit where an ancient Iron Age Fortress once stood. In total the Portway is 48 miles in length.


Day 1 of the Route:
Starting at the Hemlock Stone on the Nottinghamshire Border we head through Stapleford and Sandiacre along the busier roads before quieter country lanes, tracks, and footpaths as we cross into Derbyshire. Crossing the River Erewash to St Giles Church and onwards to the 1660’s village lockup in Sandiacre, then up to No Man Lane and to the Hermitage Cave, then pass the ruins of Dale Abbey and onwards to Stanley via Arbour Hill. Next following the Portway to Morley passing Beardsall Priory and the ancient disused quarries and castle ruins of Horsley. Afterwards into Coxbench passing St Anthony’s Well and the old rail line, then up the hill to Holbrook and over the fields to Makeney, where we pass the Holy Bush Inn a 17th century pub and Makeney Hall. Then we cross over the River Derwent and into Milford home to Jedediah Strutt inventor of the Stocking Frame and with Richard Arkwright Cotton Mills using water to power their machinery became leading figures in the Industrial Revolution of the 18th Century. Heading up Sunny Hill away from Milford we follow the ridgeline track North Lane, passing a 1st world war rifle range and we get great views over Amber Valley and towards the town of Belper. Continuing along we head down to Blackbrook where we finish day 1 as we find a suitable spot in the wooded area to camp for the night. 30 km’s (18 Miles)
Part 2 of the Portway will be coming next week

Route Download:
https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/r...

A GPX file can be downloaded from the above link

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Happy Walking

Andy
Expedition Hiker

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