Rambles: Grindleford Station to Birchover via Frogatt Edge 14 miles

Peak District:
Day Four
From Grindleford Station in Upper Padley I walked along station approach (past the famous cafe) then turned right to head down into Grindleford past the Maynard Hotel on your left.  At the church (on your left) I turned left down the lane with a footpath, this branches into two, I took the left one which leads E through Haywood forest (National Trust).  When I came to a crossing of footpaths I took the righthand turn that leads over the road to Frogatt, up Frogatt Edge, to the Stone circle.  This is a fairly steep climb but well worth it for views down into the Derwent Valley.  I followed the footpath along to Curbar Edge (SE), crossing over the road at a carpark to continue on the footpath along Baslow Edge which I actually prefered to Curbar Edge and provided a nice view to Curbar itself.  The footpath forks when it reaches Wellington's Monument and a bit of forest, here I turned right and headed down the main path, ignoring crossing footpaths, straight downhill into Baslow. I love Baslow, what a pretty village,  I turned left on Eaton Hill rd. to get back onto the Derwent Valley Way which heads to the carpark, and stopped at the Cafe on the Green for a bite to eat.  There's always Il Lupo Italian on Eaton Hill as well if you want something more substantial.  From here I followed the flock of people heading over the stream towards Chatsworth along the Derwent Valley Way, through the funny gate thing, past Chatsworth House following (and then over) the Derwent to Calton Lees (past the Garden centre). 

This is flat easy walking but enjoyable and it gave my legs 'a break'.  I picked up my pace heading still along the DVW (again with the scary cows) through fields and then along a farm track that runs into Rowsley.  At the track I slowed/ stopped since I found about 100 cows heading in the opposite direction down the narrow path who didn't look particularly like they enjoyed my presence.  I pretended they weren't there and that sort of did the trick...

The track joins Church Lane, here I took a left, crossing the A6 and continuing along up Peak Tor lane only to continue southwards down a private rd. marked as no access, it's a footpath really.  This leads up  to Stanton Woodhouse through some pretty forest, steepily.  After the farm the path curves around the Hillcarr Wood uphill some more, and then some more up.  At the road turn right cutting back on yourself heading N along the rd, taking the left fork until you see the footpath (on your left) that runs S cutting through the disused quarry, and forest (heading past the Nine Ladies stone circle if you like though there are several paths here that criss-cross.  Make your way S to hit Lees road and then cross over it to continue on the footpath that heads down field towards Barn Farm around which is the campsite, with great views down towards Winster. Continuing along the footpath that runs around the farm, and through the campsite bearing W to the right towards Birchover.  I walked into Birchover past the church to reach main st. and stopped at the The Red Lion Inn for some excellent grub, and a pint. But there's also the Druid Inn,  which is also highly recommended (Michelin 'Bib Gourmand' award 3 years running but it's shut Sunday evenings) also on Main st.  Two of the best pubs around quite frankly, both accepting the muddy boots brigade. 

Baslow Edge