Derby Nomad Way

The Derby Nomad Way is 79.56 km, or about 50 miles, with 859 m of total elevation gain. Most walkers complete the full circuit in around 3 to 4 days, though the route is also commonly split into shorter linear stages of roughly 5 to 12 miles.

The Derby Nomad Way is a circular route around the outskirts of Derby, so it finishes where it starts. Commonly cited start points include Dale Abbey in Derbyshire, and the route loops through the rural parishes around Derby before returning to the same area.

The Derby Nomad Way is generally considered an easy long-distance walk. Over 79.56 km it gains 859 m, and the route follows lowland public rights of way, canal-side paths, riverside sections, and rolling countryside rather than steep mountain terrain.

Yes. One of the practical advantages of the Derby Nomad Way is that it passes villages and settlements around Derby that are linked by bus services radiating from Derby city center. That makes it realistic to walk the route as a series of day stages instead of one continuous multi-day trip.

The Derby Nomad Way circles Derby through a long list of villages and landmarks, including Dale Abbey, Duffield, Little Eaton, Risley, Breaston, Draycott, Shardlow, Aston-on-Trent, Swarkestone, Findern, Etwall, Dalbury Lees, Kirk Langley, and Quarndon. It also follows parts of the former Derby Canal, the Trent & Mersey Canal, and the River Trent.

Yes. The Derby Nomad Way includes waterside walking along parts of the former Derby Canal, stretches of the Trent & Mersey Canal, and sections near the River Trent. The route also makes crossings of the River Derwent at Duffield and Church Wilne, adding several distinctive waterside landmarks to the circuit.