Derwent Valley Riverside Path – Elvaston Castle and Gardens loop from Darley Abbey

Bike touring routes & trails

Derwent Valley Riverside Path – Elvaston Castle and Gardens loop from Darley Abbey

Easy

4.6

(30)

131

riders

Derwent Valley Riverside Path – Elvaston Castle and Gardens loop from Darley Abbey

01:37

25.8km

70m

Cycling

Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 9, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 13.9 km for 183 m

After 19.2 km for 291 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

2.80 km

Derby River Weir

Highlight • Structure

cloud trial to derby pride park football club

Tip by

2.88 km

Excellent quality traffic free route alongside the River Derwent. Very popular family route between Derby City and Elvaston Castle as all traffic free and flat. Surface is tarmac for most of the route with the eastern part being crushed limestone. In wet weather the limestone can get a lot of puddles. Lighting on western part of the path.
Refreshments at the Derby Arena (velodrome) cafe which is a short distance (100m) from the path.

Tip by

9.29 km

Derwent River Weir

Highlight (Segment) • Waterfall

Just downstream of Elvaston Castle, the River Derwent flows over a wide, stepped weir with broad impressive cascades. The surrounding wetlands are rich in wildlife, with chances to spot kingfishers, ducks, and even leaping salmon when conditions are right.

Tip by

11.3 km

Borrowash Bottom Lock (Ockbrook Lock), Derby & Sandiacre Canal Restoration

Highlight • Structure

14.0 km

Elvaston Castle and Gardens

Highlight • Historical Site

Country park and cafe that is a very popular destination for cyclists as flat, traffic free routes to it from Derby.
Lots of secret areas of the park to explore.

Tip by

15.1 km

River Derwent to Elvaston Castle Cycle Path

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

Link from the River Derwent riverside cyclepath to the centre of Elvaston Castle park. reasonable surface although beware of a couple of right angled bends where visibility is poor. Completely flat and traffic free so fine for families. Links to Elvaston Park where there are cafes and ice cream shops.

Tip by

16.5 km

Superb Tarmac Section

Highlight • Trail

if going clockwise from the Erewash/ Sandiacre to Derby canal when you get to breaston and the Navigation Pub stay on the cycle path there until it becomes impossible to carry on any farther then go on to the main road otherwise you will be going on and off the trail a couple of times.

Tip by