Darley Dale Beeley RFM Blue Line

 

Darley Dale Beeley 

RFM Blue Line

15/05/26

I have been looking forward to this walk for some time. Its a long walk along the hillside of a valley and then back up along the bottom of the same valley. 

Beeley is a lovely little place and the early morning sun plus the abundance of flowers was a joy to behold.

I did a slight tour around Beeley to add a bit of new Blue Line instead of going over the last Blue Line. The hill on the left was steep, I had dropped down it the first time I came to Beeley. On this occasion the route just ran along the lower fields but it was still ascending. 

I really enjoyed walking through the sheep fields but eventually at Smeltingmill Brook the route turned a right angle and headed straight up the hill along a green overgrown path.

In the woods there were signs of an industrial past and some areas with warning do not enter signs. The woods were loud with bird song and thick with squirrels, nature having reclaimed the area.

I was in the woods for ages with paths going up and down sometimes with sharp drop offs and really deep ravines. I love the light on the trees in the last of these photos. 

Occasionally there were grand views of the outside world through the trees. I had to go up Chesterfield Lane around the hairpins to get to my next path through the trees. Most drivers were really good and gave me time or space but a couple just seemed not to see me or know I was there. So be careful on the bends if you do this walk.

There was a very short road stretch at Tinkersley but I was quickly back into the woods.

The wood above and south of Tinkersley had an impressive amount of bird song. My app Merlin identified all the normal subjects plus Garden Warblers and Blackcaps.

The route headed down out of the wood past some very quaint cottages to Northwood.

The huge estate wall with its ancient gate still in place was impressive. Stancliffe Hall is nearby so I imagine it is a wall connected with this but I am just speculating.

Back into the wood for another woodland walk.

Finally at Hallwood the road dives down to the bottom of the valley and the wooded hilly part of this walk is over.

I cross the railway at Darley Dale and set off across the valley through fields of resting cows towards Darley Bridge.

It really is very pretty.

I stopped for breakfast at the cricket ground. I am purposefully drinking more as I have suffered cramp after a couple of walks recently and I think dehydration may be the issue.

I passed loads of friendly dog walkers and a couple of hikers. The trouble is it is flat and the view only changes slowly so I get bored.

The church at Churchtown was a welcome distraction.

The path followed the railway for a while before heading into the sheep fields again.

The buttercups were spectacular.

At Rowsley South the River Derwent made a welcome appearance.

I knew this was the end of the line when I saw them disappear into the car park.

Its not always pretty.

The next part of the walk to Rowsley was like any other disused railway flat and very quick. passing in front of the hotel the route headed into the shopping centre. yippee.

I didn't hang around but followed another path at the back of some houses and over some rough land, could have been any urban area.

Thankfully the path returned to the side of the Derwent and I watched a few fly fishermen wading in the river. From here back to Beeley was a stretch along the road on a narrow path.

Back to Beeley the little red car and home.

This walk was exactly 10 miles. An ascent of 1274 feet is quite good. I didn't feel the walk was too difficult but 10 miles is 10 miles. The people I met and the weather was pretty good. The walk was a contrast between hilly and woody and flat and sheepy. I always enjoy my walks and this one was a good one though not spectacular.. 

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