Chesterfield Canal Start RFM Blue Line Cuckoo Way

 Chesterfield Canal Start 

RFM Blue Line 

Cuckoo Way

02/06/25

This is not a very wild walk starting in Brimington going to Brimington Common, Chesterfield and then back to Brimington via the Chesterfield canal. It might not be very wild but it was a wide variety of terrains and views. As usual any walk of a few miles in this part of the world always has good and bad points, more good than bad.

After parking on Troughbrook Road it was ashort walk to Ringwood Park. 

The park looked good and there was no one around. 

The Rhododendrons are just coming out. These were the open variety ok but not spectacular.

At the bottom end of the lake the water was covered in flowering waterlilies, what a treat.

Past the lake the path opened up onto a slope with houses at the top. The way was easy to follow being well walked.

The route went through a small wood and then opened up a little. The horses were on the hill.

It was a long linear walk through West Wood and there were many paths following the same direction but 20 or 30 yards apart. It looked like a dog walkers paradise. It took quite a long time to pass through but felt safe and welcoming. The paths were clear rather than rutted.

It was quite a steep hill up Westwood Lane and then the path doubled back over a lovely patch of weedy land towards Brimington Common.

It was a short walk over a well cut grassy area where a couple of dog walkers were exercising their dog to Eastmoor Road.

I followed Eastmoor Road and then Westmoor Road all the way past the golf club down into Chesterfield. There were loads of walkers and many cyclists on this route. Most exchanged a friendly greeting.

This now disused road was showing signs of reverting to nature with its margin encroachment and the overhead meeting of trees and bushes.It was quite cool but very steep.

Chesterfield's famous crooked spire came into view as I passed over the River Rother. 

I hope the slugs aren't as big as the snails around here.

This isn't a great area but it did lead to the start of the Cuckoo Way.

The first mile or so was pretty grotty and I was glad to get away from the worst of the inner town area.

Things started to improve though the choice of venue for these mallards was a little unusual.

This is the start proper of the Chesterfield Canal. This was the start of the busy area, walkers, runners cyclists in numbers.

I wasn't sure of the totem pole.

Its a canal walk, flat and uneventful. The smell and noise from the adjacent scrap metal yards was not good.

To be fair the further I walked the better it got. Leaving the smell and noise behind was wonderful.

Another totem pole. 

I saw an abandoned swan's nest next to a bridge and luckily the swans and cygnets were not far away.

Its a canal, flat and wet.

I left the canal at Katey's busy coffee shop and made my way back to the car on Troughbrook Road. A good long walk with some hilly areas and some interesting sights but a bit too many people for my liking along the canal. I did enjoy the route and the wooded section plus hilly terrain were great. Just a few more sections and then the Cuckoo Way will be completed.

7.6 miles

550 feet ascent

550 feet descent

2:37 hours mins walking time

2.9 mph