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:
osmaps.ordnanc...
A GPX file can be downloaded from the above link
If you like Hiking, Backpacking, Long Distance Walking and want to Download the routes for yourself as well as learn some tips and skills on the great outdoors then please consider subscribing - :)
Please click the thumbs up to like the video and I look forward to reading your comments.
Stay Safe
Thanks for Watching
Happy Walking
Andy
Expedition Hiker
#portway #derbyshire #ldwa #long-distance

[@atrampinthehills.841]

Looks an interesting walk with plenty of history....looking forward to part two.

[@ExpeditionHiker]

Thanks for watching, I do like my history and facts, so prefect combination with my hiking miles

[@AdventureLite]

Great series of videos, this is a walk I've never heard of and it's right on my doorstep! Love the channel!

[@ExpeditionHiker]

Thanks for watching

[@graylouch8419]

Get a drone camara Andy, good vid brother.

[@ExpeditionHiker]

I am looking to get one next year, although maybe a little time before I master flying it and get it in my videos, or could always do a crashing into trees video...

[@stanyonator]

Just wondering, where did you find the image at 10.08? Local to the area but not seen it before 😊

[@ExpeditionHiker]

Do you mean the archway drawn pic? To be honest, I can't remember as I researched the walk about 3 years ago, and the file of all images I have now deleted, sorry but thanks for watching

[@paulh2525]

Hi Andy - Derbyshire Portway - Part 1 - The route download link does not work. Seems as if its been removed! Would you also check out your other Parts in respect that there is a link on Viewranger to the gpx files. I could only find gpx files (under the three dots, top right of web page) on Outdoor Active. Regards PaulH

[@ExpeditionHiker]

Hi, outdoor active have made changes to the viewranger app that may mean all my routes are unable to view at the moment, even though I have subscribed to pro version, will check the portway video

[@ExpeditionHiker]

Hi I have updated the route download now, as had to transfer to Outdoors Active rather than Viewranger, due to what was meant to be a merge of the companies but seems outdooractive have taken over, now triple the price and less features and harder to work out how to use, it is a pity as viewranger was a great app but ruined now

[@paulh2525]

@@ExpeditionHiker Hi Andy Can you check out the link as I can not get to or download the gpx file. I you are successful please post download link. Thanks PaulH

[@ExpeditionHiker]

@@paulh2525 Hi Paul - although paid for Outdoor-active it seems still couldn't get the link to work, now the route link is working via OS Maps plus the other 3 days routes amended - Thanks

[@paulh2525]

@@ExpeditionHiker Thanks Andy. I have accessed the route-ta. Pity you could not get the link to work and complete the series. At least you have it available on KZbin. I was a regular user of Memory map but now use Komoot (free) & OS maps premium (paid). Komoot is very good as a free app and is great for navigation and recording using GPX files. Regards PaulH

[@MrPenninechris]

MAKE-ney. Not MACnee 😂 how is m-a-k-e MAC. I’m doing this walk in two days for my birthday in May.

[@Kerkyra6980]

typical of Britain its being left to decay