Sunday August 11th

 Baslow, Chatsworth and Beeley Moors

Sunday was a perfect, hot summer’s day, so we set out to do a long walk to make the most of it. From Baslow, we traced the familiar path through Chatsworth Park, where a gymkhana was in full swing and the sheep were, very sensibly, making the most of any available shade.

Sensible sheep

The route along the River Derwent is lovely and very picturesque. The views of Chatsworth House never disappoint and the whole walk to Beeley Bridge is excellent- a nice level start to the longer walk.


On reaching Beeley, we stopped for the first of many water stops and a quick snack in the churchyard which is remarkably well tended. The path steepens up through the woods, but this whole section was really nice in the dappled sunlight of a sunny day.


There is a bit of up and down before one reaches the open moor know as Rabbit Warren, with magnificent views to the west and the north. We agreed that this is our favourite section of the walk.


We headed down to the gate leading back into the park and then followed the signs for the Swiss Lake and Emperor Lake, the water supply to the famous Emperor Fountain lower down the hill. It’s a rather long and dusty section of the walk and the absence of shade on a hot day was not ideal. But lunch at the Elizabethan Hunting Tower made up for this and we enjoyed more food, including crisps and cheese sandwiches, unlike the couple near us who seemed to be feasting on watermelon and strawberries.

Dobb Edge was next and it was lovely to walk along it with the bracken nearly as high as us and the heather in full bloom. Crossing the main road at the Robin Hood Inn leads to a signposted path on to the moor and soon to the outcrops on the edge of Heathylea plantation. Resting in the shade for a bit was very welcome before we began the ascent to Wellington’s Monument and the open moorland leading to Curbar Edge. We decided to walk on to the Gap, partly to walk a little more in the sunshine, but also in the (vain) hope that the tea wagon was in the car park. Nonetheless, we kept going and worked our way through quite a few cows and another bull, to reach Baslow and the end of the walk.

Bull on the Mooove

A super day weather wise and a fantastic walk, full of interesting sights and some great countryside.

13½ miles with about 490m ascent.



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