It’s important to stay active and enjoy some fresh air. You don’t need to travel far - there are plenty of opportunities to do so right here in your own town or village. 
 
The walking routes below can be easily adapted to suit your preferred distance or pace. 

Ripley Walks 

Whether you’re after a calm, gentle stroll or a more robust countryside ramble, Ripley affords both in a traditional setting.  
 
With the Greenway providing a reliable and accessible path, and the surrounding rural network offering more expansive options, this area supports walkers of a range of levels and interests.  
 
Stepping out here is about enjoying the landscape, recognising local heritage and embracing a peaceful yet purposeful walk. 
Walk Name 
Time 
Distance 
Difficulty Level  
Accessibility Information 
45-60 mins 
2 miles approx. 
Easy 
Suitable for a variety of users, including cyclists, walkers, wheelchair users, and those with pushchairs. 
1 hr 
2 miles approx. 
Easy 
Suitable for a variety of users, including walkers, wheelchair users, and those with pushchairs. 
1 hr 25 mins 
2.7 miles  
Easy 
Urban walk on pavements, unpaved roads and footpaths. Care is needed when crossing roads. 
2 hrs at a slow pace 
2 miles approx. 
Easy 
Stile, railway crossing, woodland walk. 
3 hrs 
5 miles 
Moderate 
Undulating, footpaths, stiles, footbridges, fields. 
3 hrs 
5 miles 
Moderate 
A linear path, stiles, fields, steps 
2 hrs 30 mins 
4.5 miles 
Moderate 
Care needed when crossing roads. Undulating country walks, footpaths, roads, lanes and stiles - can be muddy. 

Heage & Nether Heage Walks 

Heage is infamous for the still active, Heage Windmill but it's not just about that. It is nestled between Belper and Ripley but we are lucky for it to belong in our Township. 
 
It's surrounded by beautiful countryside and farmland from which Heage grew in the agriculture industry. It has several public houses, churches, a Village Hall, a primary school, a few local shops and a village brass band! International company, Bowmer and Kirkland have a large site in Heage and employ many local people. 
 
There used to be a Prisoner of War camp based in Nether Heage during the Second World War until 1953 when LB Plastics took over the site. That has now gone and the land will be used for housing development. 
Walk Name 
Time 
Distance 
Difficulty Level 
Accessibility Information 
2.5 hrs 
4.1 miles 
Moderate 
A hilly A to B walking route, mostly off-road with mixed terrain. 
3 hrs 
5 miles 
Moderate 
Undulating countryside, level along the canal. 
3.15 hrs 
6.4 miles 
Moderate 
Hillside and valley footpaths, using stiles and gates and expect mud. Care is needed when crossing roads. 

Ambergate Walks 

Ambergate sits on the River Amber within the Ripley Township in Derbyshire. It is within the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage site, and has historical connections with George Stephenson - the civil engineer and 'Father of Railways'. 
 
Ambergate has an active community life, particularly centred on the school, pubs, churches, sports clubs and the annual village carnival. It is situated on the A6, which is the main road to Belper, Derby and in the opposite direction, Matlock. 
Walk Name 
Time 
Distance 
Difficulty Level 
Accessibility Information 
1 hr 
2 miles 
Easy 
Canal side. 
1.5 hrs 
4.5 miles 
Easy to moderate 
Village, farmland, one short climb. 
1.5 hrs 
4.5 miles 
Easy to moderate 
Ancient woodland, old parkland and open farmland. No really steep climbs. 
1 to 1.5 hrs 
3.5 miles 
Moderate 
A steep walk through farmland, woodlands and along a towpath. 
3 hrs 
4 miles 
Moderate 
Hilly countryside with several steep climbs, passing quarry edges. 
2 hrs 
4.6 miles 
Moderate 
A moderately hilly circular walking route with mixed terrain. 
3.05 hrs 
5.74 miles 
Moderate 
A mix of hill and flat, on rough paths, canal side and roads, with some stiles. Care is needed when crossing roads. 
3.5 hrs 
7.5 miles 
Moderate 
Short section of busy road-side pavement at start/end, woodland and field paths and canal towpath, a couple of narrow road sections with no pavement, some stiles. 
4.5 hrs 
8 miles 
Moderate 
Valley ridge with two steady climbs through farmland/ancient woods. 

Lower Hartshay Walks 

Lower Hartshay sits in a valley around one mile outside of Ripley. It's a very small village with no through road to anywhere else. It's effectively one large cul-de-sac! 
 
This quaint little village is mainly houses with a pub at its heart and plenty of green land. It is closely linked to the hamlet of Upper Hartshay.  
 
Visitors can explore the area's rich history by taking walks that showcase both industrial and social revolution sites, such as the Cromford Canal. 
Walk Name 
Time 
Distance 
Difficulty Level 
Accessibility Information 
2 hrs 
4.4 miles 
Moderate 
A moderately hilly circular walking route, mostly off-road with mixed terrain. 

Marehay Walks 

Marehay is just a short distance from Ripley and offers walkers a delightful combination of accessible countryside, green-corridors and local heritage.  
 
It is small, peaceful, and surrounded by countryside and woodland making it a relaxed base for short or medium-length strolls. A notable feature is the nearby green-corridor of the Ripley Greenway, which follows a former railway line and connects Marehay towards Ripley. 
 
Walk Name 
Time 
Distance 
Difficulty Level 
Accessibility Information 
2 hrs 
3.9 miles 
Moderate 
A moderately hilly circular walking route with mixed terrain. 
2 hrs 
3.9 miles 
Moderate 
A moderately hilly A to B walking route, mostly off-road but with mixed terrain. 

Waingroves Walks 

The village of Waingroves is relatively small and calm, making it ideal for a peaceful outdoor outing. 
 
Waingroves Woodland is a community-managed woodland in Derbyshire, known for its well-maintained paths, diverse wildlife, and tranquil atmosphere. It is a community space with picnic areas and a community glade for events, created by local volunteers who purchased the land to save it from development. The woodland includes historical points of interest and a wetland area, and is used by local schools and residents. 
 
For walkers who appreciate history and heritage, Waingroves has roots stretching back to the 12th century, giving a subtle layer of local character to any outing. 
Walk Name 
Time 
Distance 
Difficulty Level 
Accessibility Information 
5 hrs 
14.2 miles 
Moderate to hard 
A moderately hilly circular walking route with mixed terrain. 
To make walking even more enjoyable, several local groups regularly organise guided walks, social rambles, and themed trails. These groups welcome new members and are a great way to stay motivated and meet like-minded people: 
 
The group meet every Friday at 1pm at the reception of Ripley Leisure Centre, Derby Road, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3HR. For more information, please contact Ripley Leisure Centre on 01773 514727. 
 
The group meet at Denby Potter Visitors Centre, Derby Road, Denby, Derbyshire DE5 8NX outside the Bourne Cafe. For more information, contact Ripley Leisure Centre on 01773 514727. 
 
u3as (Universities of the Third Age) are self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for their members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun. The u3a currently have 2 walking groups - Short Walking with walks that are range from 3-5 miles and Walking Group that are around 5 miles in length. Please contact the Secretary for more information on these groups. 
 
The Group was formed in April 1976, in mid-Derbyshire, and now has 210+ members, from a wide variety of backgrounds and age groups, but all with a common love of the countryside. Please visit the Walks and Social Programme page, there is bound to be something of interest - an easy stroll, energetic hike, or helping to keep local paths open. Also a monthly winter programme of presentational talks on interesting subjects connected with our area or environment. 
 
So lace up your walking shoes and discover the best of our local landscape step by step.