Footpaths

Protecting our paths

As well as organising and leading walks as a group, we check the 1,700 km of rights of way in Derbyshire Dales and report issues to the Rights of Way Team at Derbyshire County Council. Our work is led by our Footpath Secretary, supported by volunteers who act as Parish Wardens covering one or more of the parishes in the Derbyshire Dales. Parish Wardens walk the rights of way in their areas at least once a year, and problems are reported to the Rights of Way Team at Derbyshire County Council.

How you can help

We are looking for more volunteers to become Parish Wardens - please see our magazine Footprints for a list of vacancies. Training and advice are provided to new and existing wardens. If you are interested in joining our network, please email our Footpaths Secretary for more information.

Footpath Secretary

Reporting a Problem

Anyone can report an issue with a right of way anywhere in the country, whether or not they are a member of Ramblers. To report a local issue, Derbyshire County Council has a bespoke Reporting Portal on their website. Via this, you can report the following:

• Damage to footpath infrastructure: this could include broken stiles, fences, gates, or issues with bridges on rights of way.
• Issues with finding your way: this could include damaged or missing signposts, unclear routes, or incorrect directional signs.
• Public rights of way condition: this could include fly-tipping, ford crossings, or drainage issues.
• Obstructions: this could include paths ploughed over, fallen trees, locked gates, and paths overgrown by vegetation or hedges.
• Safety issues on public rights of way: this could include dangerous trees, missing manhole lids, or livestock concerns.

Representing our interests

Through our Footpath Secretary, we comment on consultations about:

• Changes to Rights of Way
• Planning Applications affecting Rights of Way
• Changes to Access Land, including any proposed restrictions to use or access points.

Our Footpaths Secretary also represents Derbyshire Dales on various committees locally, regionally, and nationally. Updates on footpath work can be found in our Footprints magazine, published three times a year.