| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Convenor: |
Brian Shield
Tel: 07814 628 190
|
| When: | Monthly on Thursdays 9:00 am-5:00 pm 4th Thursday of the month |
This walking group is for the more enthusiastic walkers. In the Summer we venture off into Derbyshire, but tend to stay closer to home during the Winter. Walks are generally 6 to 9 miles long, involve a stop for a packed lunch and usually end up at a pub!
For an overview of future walks tap the Calendar button and select Striders Walking from the Group drop-down list - or refer to the Next Walks section below.
Tap to open the Striders photo gallery, then swipe left or right
Walks Archive
Next Walks
Recent Walks
April 2026: LIMESTONE COUNTRY
Our walk this month was in Limestone Country. We started the walk by ascending Deepdale which is an area of Special Scientific Interest due to the rare plants that can be found there. We were too early to see the Purple Orchids but there were plenty of other flowers and the banks of the dale were cloaked in Cowslips.
At the top of the dale, we walked across to the Magpie Mine where once again there were lots of different plants and we were particularly impressed by the Alpine Pansies. After passing through Sheldon we descended steeply to Ashford in the Water and returned on a precipitous path through the woods back to the car park.
March 2026: BASLOW
Seven of us enjoyed a 6 mile walk on a bright spring day. After a delayed start due to roadworks we set off from the car park in Baslow and walked uphill to reach a path that went just below Baslow Edge.
We followed the path until we reached the road just below Curbar Gap. After crossing the road, we continued through birch woodland just below Curbar Edge, where Diane provided the entertainment, eventually climbing up onto the edge and returning to the cars via both edges.
February 2026: CALKE ABBEY
Seven of us set off for a six and a half mile circuit around Calke Abbey, and although the weather forecast wasn't promising, the rain held off until we got back.
The walk took in Dimminsdale Nature Reserve, where the snowdrops were still out en masse, then a path along the disused tramway took us through a tunnel into the Limeyards. This is a spectacular heritage site and SSSI, with plenty of evidence of past industry, but now more like a setting for a Lord of the Rings film.
A large herd of Muntjac deer, startled by a dog, completed the picture. After a cup of coffee and a picnic lunch at Calke, we made our way back via the deer park and by the side of Staunton Harold reservoir, with lovely views over the countryside and parkland.
A perfect walk for a grey day!
January 2026: SILVERHILL COUNTRY PARK
Despite the dire weather warnings, four hardy souls turned up for this month’s walk. Unfortunately, unlike in November, the rain persisted all day. Luckily, we all had good wet weather gear so the rain did not spoil our day.
We started by climbing to the miners monument at the top of Silverhill, which I am told is the highest point in Nottinghamshire. When the weather is good there are good views across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire but not when we were there.
The rest of the walk was on good tracks and trails around Silverhill Country Park and the Teversal Trail and although the route had been chosen to avoid the worst of the mud, there was still plenty to negotiate. Hopefully, the weather will be better for our next walk which Chris is leading.
December 2025: BOXING DAY WALK
Our traditional Boxing Day walk was enjoyed by 9 of us. We were fortunate to have blue skies and sunshine throughout the walk. Starting at the car park on Ranmoor Road we made our way through Gedling village to Burton Road Jubilee Park.
After walking through the park, we found the path from Chandos Steet to the Colwick Loop Road had reopened so we followed it before crossing the A612 and following the Willowbrook (not the Pub) to the Netherfield Lagoons which we circumnavigated.
Richard then led us back to the car park through the new Rivendale development after which some of us enjoyed refreshments at the Willowbrook Pub.
November 2025: BELPER
6 people went to Belper for the November Striders walk & definitely picked the right day: it was 14C with no rain & the ground was mainly well drained.
There was an easy walk along the valley followed by one steep climb up to a ridge with views over to the East. We followed an old sunken trackway downwards until a slower climb up to another ridge overlooking Belper & the river Derwent.
The Chevin ridge was lined with Beech trees, with good views & a surprising wall structure which was built for target practice in the Napoleonic wars and used afterwards in the Boer & First World War.
The return followed the Derwent back to the grand weir & building of Strutt’s Mill. An excellent day out except for Car Parking App-Rage at the end!
October 2025: ROWSLEY & BAKEWELL
Despite the dire weather warnings, four hardy souls set of for Derbyshire in the rain, however by the time we reached Matlock the rain had stopped and the wind had dropped. We set of from Rowsley and after a muddy start we walked through pleasant fields to Calton Lees.
A steady climb took us to Calton House where we walked along a ridge in a westerly direction. The views across the valley allowed us to admire the beautiful autumn colours.
A slightly treacherous descent then took us to Bakewell Golf Course which we crossed to join the Monsal Trail. After eating our packed lunch, we continued to the end of the trail and followed a track back to the start of the walk where we arrived dry and warm and feeling quite pleased that we had avoided the bad weather and enjoyed a really good walk.
September 2025: LATHKILL DALE
We enjoyed perfect walking conditions for our walk in Derbyshire this month. It started in Over Haddon and descended into Lathkill Dale before climbing steadily on the opposite side.
We had magnificent views towards Cave Dale when we stopped for coffee. Having been entertained by a cow and its calf we descended Cave Dale into Lathkill Dale and after a short distance we arrived at Kath’s suggested lunch stop where we had fabulous views of the limestone cliffs and blue skies.
Walking back along Lathkill Dale which had been devastated by ash dieback we were pleased to see new trees had been planted to replace those that had been lost. There was a sting in the tail with a steep climb back to the car park before we returned home for a well-earned rest.
August 2025: SHINING CLIFF
Holidays and Grandparent duties reduced our numbers to 8 but we enjoyed a nice summer walk in Derbyshire. The walk started with a steady climb up through Shining Cliff Woods where a section of the path had become a stream in the recent rain.
The group got excited at the sight of some mud at the top of the climb, having seen none for the last few months. Fortunately, the rest of the route was mud free and we enjoyed magnificent views across the Derwent valley before descending to the Cromford Canal after our lunch stop.
Just after we left the canal a passing shower forced us to take shelter under a horse chestnut tree while some of the group feasted on damsons from the nearby tree. A short walk along the A6 then took us back to the start.
July 2025: TANSLEY
This month's walk was a 7 mile circuit from Tansley. The weather was dry and thankfully not as hot as it has been. There were some fabulous views along the way and an impressive waterfall which no one had seen before. Refreshments were enjoyed at the Tavern at Tansley at the end of the walk.
June 2025: BONSALL
The walk was an eight mile circuit from Bonsall, which is a very picturesque and traditional Derbyshire village and a good centre for hiking. Six of us set off up an initially steep slope, but the rest of the walk was through gently undulating countryside with great views on all sides.
The area was well known for lead mining in the past and there is plenty of evidence of this in the uneven ground, now a haven for butterflies and beautiful wildflowers. Our route took us through Ible, a tiny hamlet of farmhouses, well off the beaten track, then round to our lunch stop on the Limestone Way, with a fantastic view over Winster and beyond.
The threatened rain held off, and we made our way back in sunshine, past a striking local version of the Sycamore Gap (still with tree) through fields to Upper Town.
Seeing who could get most easily through some very narrow squeezer stiles gave us a lot of entertainment, but we all made it down to Bonsall and the lovely Fountain Tea Rooms - the perfect ending!
May 2025: LEA and RIBER
This month's walk saw us back in Derbyshire, starting in the village of Lea, well known for its rhododendron gardens. We began by following a path through woods and flower meadows to the ancient church at Dethick, with beautiful views over rolling countryside towards the west.
Continuing through Tansley, we arrived in the picturesque hamlet of Riber where there are several wonderful buildings dating from Tudor times and before. From there we crossed the fields to Hearthstone Lane, an old track which once was the locals' walk to work at Smedley's mill in Holloway.
Our lunch spot had gorgeous views across Cromford and the High Peak Trail. After our well-earned rest, we made our way back past Alison Uttley's house, through Bow Wood with its maze of trails and masses of bluebells, still just about in flower, and crossed stepping stones to arrive back just in time for a welcome drink at the Jug and Glass in Lea.
This was a lovely, varied walk with stunning views along much of the route, and even a little sunshine!
April 2025: HELL BANK
We took a six and a half mile circuit, starting high above the beautiful village of Beeley. We followed a steep path down through the woods of the wonderfully named Hell Bank Plantation, scrambled on rocks over a stream before reaching the village and crossing the meadows to the River Derwent and Chatsworth Park.
Half an hour's walk through the parkland brought us to our lunch stop at Chatsworth (our own sandwiches, sadly, though some indulged in ice cream...) Luckily, we still had enough energy to tackle the climb through Stand Wood, where we passed some interesting water features, including the spectacular aqueduct designed by Joseph Paxton in the nineteenth century.
The last section of the walk crossed Beeley Moor with fabulous views of the countryside for miles around. This was a varied route with a real mixture of typical Derbyshire features within a relatively small area, and we had perfect weather with plenty of sun, and a cool breeze. It was just the right temperature for walking, and we all enjoyed ourselves very much.
March 2025: LINBY TRAIL
This month's 7 mile walk was nearer to home, starting with the Linby Trail. We had beautiful weather from the start, and signs of spring were everywhere. The trail leads to Newstead Lakes, on the old pit site, now transformed into a tranquil nature reserve, with plenty of birdlife on the water.
After a break for coffee here, we made our way along some less well-known paths and old lanes. There were great views over the surrounding countryside towards the source of the River Leen and through woods which will be full of bluebells in a month or so.
After a short visit to the old fort on the upper lake, we stopped for lunch (and a sunbathe) overlooking Newstead Abbey gardens, before making our way back through fields to Linby via Papplewick church. Although some of the paths were familiar, it was delightful to explore this previously unknown area around the lakes, particularly lovely on such a sunny day.
Many thanks to Kath for devising the route, which we all enjoyed very much.
February 2025: HIGH PEAK
This month's walk saw seven of us back in Derbyshire on a beautiful sunny day. Our route of roughly eight miles was a circuit based around a section of the High Peak Trail, which we joined just below Middleton Top.
From the Moor, with wonderful 360° views, we made a gradual descent through the village, by Dene Quarry and Rose End nature reserve to Scarthin, where we found a table for lunch right next to the millpond.
Our return route took us back along Cromford Canal to High Peak Junction, then after a steady climb back to Middleton, we were able to enjoy a well-earned drink at The Rising Sun. This was a lovely, varied walk, which we all enjoyed, and it was great to see signs of spring at last, in such a beautiful setting.
January 2025: THIEVES WOOD
Despite the weather, 5 of us enjoyed a forest walk in the rain. Fortunately, the route was on good tracks, so we managed to avoid most of the mud.
Starting the walk at the Thieves Wood car park we walked out through the forest to the A60. Crossing into Harlow Wood we then returned via the Robin Hood Way.
The rain had almost stopped by the time we got back to the car park, so we decided to have our picnic lunch before returning to Gedling.
December 2024: BOXING DAY
A select band of 6 gathered in the car park on Boxing Day and as the Country Park was shrouded in mist we decided to do stay at a lower level and do a walk around Netherfield Lagoons.
With the usual route blocked off for a housing development we had to walk out to Stoke Lane before Richard navigated us through the new industrial estate and Rivendale development. After circumnavigating the Lagoons, we returned via the retail park where we were happy to be walking instead of shopping.
A short walk through Netherfield and the back streets of Carlton brought us back to the car park and a brief visit to the Willowbrook for a few of us.
November 2024: PENTRICH
Our walk was in east Derbyshire, starting at Pentrich, famous for its revolution in 1817. We were lucky with the weather, which was perfect - frosty but clear, meaning we could enjoy the lovely views over to Heanor, Crich, and the hills of the Peak District.
There was plenty of historical interest, as we crossed the route of the Rykeneld Way Roman road, and passed the dramatic and extensive ruins of Wingfield Manor where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned on several occasions.
We returned through Pentrich churchyard with graves dating from the seventeenth century and had time for a drink at the very welcoming local.
This was a new area for us, with surprisingly beautiful and varied countryside, which deserves to be better known.
October 2024: HIGH PEAK
Having promised magnificent views we arrived at the start of the walk in swirling mist which continued for most of the day. After negotiating the complex parking charges at Middleton Top, thirteen of us set off along the High Peak Trail before following a route that took us behind Harborough Rocks on the Limestone Way and Midshires Way before returning to the High Peak Trail.
Fortunately, the mist cleared in time for our lunch stop which provided us with the promised views across the Derwent Valley and beyond.
September 2024: BESTWOOD LODGE
Unfortunately, the recent heavy rain meant that we had to change our plans from a circuit
around the Chatsworth estate to one around the more local Bestwood Lodge. Despite the poor forecast, four stalwarts set out, and the rain held off.
There were even some glimpses of sunshine and the woods were looking beautiful, with fine
views from Warren Hill across to Derbyshire. This was an interesting and varied walk, including the country park, the historic Lodge gardens and Mill Lakes (and lots of horses) and we all enjoyed ourselves. Waterproofs weren't needed after all.
August 2024: THREE DALES
Ten of us squeezed into 2 cars and set off for Derbyshire in strong winds. Despite the weather forecast by the time we reached Middleton the wind had dropped and we set of in dry weather. On reaching Bradford Dale a brief shower was enough to persuade us to put our waterproofs on, hover it was short lived and the rest of the day remained dry.
Assisted by Kaths local knowledge we amended the planned route and avoided some rough ground which had proved difficult on the recce and climbed out of Bradford Dale and a short road walk allowed us to admire the views before we descended into Gratton Dale where we stopped for lunch.
We then entered Long Dale and admired the sculpture before climbing out of the dale along a path where we saw some stemless thistles which apparently are quite rare this far north. A short walk across fields and a road brought us back to the car park just in time to beat the Matlock u3a walking group to the toilets.
July 2024: CROMFORD MILL
Eleven Striders set off from Cromford Mill on a warm, bright morning. Aware of my responsibility, I counted them all out and counted them all ba…….hold on, there’s only nine now. Had we lost two people on the way? Was this going to be like last month’s walk of untoward incidents only worse? I’m happy to report though that the missing was our group convenor (plus companion) rehabbing after recent surgery but still managing to join us for a shorter version of a very nice route. Phew.
So it was uphill all the way to Black Rock and having got our breath back, we made our way along the High Peak Trail and Midshires Way. We stopped for a spot of lunch in a lovely meadow before descending down to Whatstandwell. Having been occasionally ‘challenged’ by the first five miles, we then had an easy stroll for the final three alongside the verdant canal path to Cromford (with a quick stop off for ice creams at High Peak Junction of course).
All in all then a varied walk in good weather and beautiful, Derbyshire countryside. It was very agreeable indeed. Thanks also go to my co-leader (and expert navigator) Chris.
Gail
June 2024: CALVER
I (Brian) was able to join the group for the first part of the walk and it was good to back. Staying with the group for the first couple of miles, Ranjit and I returned to the start, completing a 4.6 mile walk with more up and down than I have done in 3 months. It was however very enjoyable and I hope to be up to the full distance in the near future. Kath has kindly written a short account of the full walk . . . .
Striders were back in Derbyshire for a 7.5 mile walk from Calver. It was an exciting one with several "events" along the way. We rescued 2 other walkers from their fear about cows with calves; one of our group slipped into a stream (but managed to dry off by the end of the walk); & the people with shorter trousers battled nettle patches! But the views were tremendous, we walked along ridges & the wild flowers were at their very best. An intrepid group who said they loved it.
Kath
May 2024: GEDLING COUNTRY PARK
So this is what happens when you grant a group convenor a bit of sick leave - for the first time in Carlton and Gedling U3a history, the May Striders walk planned for Derbyshire failed to take place. A lack of suitable transport for the group meeting at Ranmoor Road meant that there had to be a last minute cancellation and a hurried phone call to the one member who was going straight to the start in Cromford (thank goodness for mobile phones).
Not wanting to miss out entirely, five Striders set off for Gedling Country Park with Doris leading us on a nice scenic route. OK we didn’t quite have the Derbyshire views but we had a very pleasant walk indeed and personally I was delighted to discover roads and paths I’d never been on before. Thanks Doris for that. We were also home in time for lunch and an afternoon snooze - I mean getting chores done, so some advantages of not going so far afield!
Gail
April 2024: DALE ABBEY
This month, we explored part of the quiet and lovely area of countryside between Ilkeston and Derby. The walk started near Dale Abbey, and we began with a visit to the twelfth century Hermit's Cave, followed by a short but very steep climb up to the ridge overlooking the village with views to Ilkeston and beyond.
Our route continued through beautiful bluebell woods in full flower, through Locko Park estate and then on to Stanley, where luckily there was no sign of the advertised ' bull in field'! After a picnic lunch we returned through more of England's green, pleasant and extremely muddy land, and eventually arrived back at Dale, with a chance to look at its lovely old buildings and abbey ruins.
Amazingly, although it was a chilly day with a gloomy weather forecast, there was no rain, and even a bit of sunshine to light up the spring flowers. Everyone survived a few wobbly stiles and managed to squeeze through an interestingly narrow kissing gate, (great photo opportunity) and there was a drink available at the end at the local pub for those who wanted!
March 2024: SHERWOOD FOREST
The walk saw 10 people in the Sherwood Forest area for a 7.5 mile walk. As it's mostly sandy & well drained there was (almost) no mud & the rain only started just as we got back to the finish. Good timing!
The route went through Edwinstowe, along the river Maun, then up the edge of the forest past the Duke of Portland's Archway house whose facade has a number of well known characters , including Robin Hood & Maid Marian. It was built as part of a wide private drive from Welbeck to Nottingham & has views underneath of the Centre Tree Oak.
The path then led onto Budby Heath, a heather & gorse open area , now managed by the RSPB. Most people did not know that this existed as a distinct part of the forest. The return route went straight through the forest on a path where there were many ancient oaks. It was a relatively easy walk as it was largely flat.
January 2024: STOKE & BURTON JOYCE
It was raining as we left the car park on Ranmoor Road but by the time we got to Stoke Bardolph the rain had stopped and although we didn’t walk in blazing sunshine it remained dry and considerably warmer than the week before.
The walk took us west along the river where the hard work of the volunteers who had cleaned up after the flood was noted. After a short detour through the woods which involved scrambling over a couple of trees that had been blown down in the storms, we eventually reached the railway bridge where we ascended to the Netherfield Lagoons.
A short stop to admire the wildlife and to ease any aching limbs was followed by a walk across the fields to the road where we circumnavigated the sewage works and Ranjit took over the lead to the outskirts of Burton Joyce and back to the car park via the flood bank.
