Park (considerately) at the Broad Low verge by the sharp bend near Eyam Ridge, and then walk east towards the obvious mast. Pass this (to your right) and Sir William Hill (to your left) to attain the ladder stiles; cross the stile on your left, and continue in a roughly north-westerly direction over windswept heather moorland. The waymarked path descends to a wall stile, which you cross.

Continue along the track by the wall, to another stile, once over this you descend to the lovely Stoke Ford - one of the hidden gems of the peak, a peaceful little spot, marked by a Peak and Northern Counties Footpath Preservation Society signpost from 1939. (A more modern notice asks us not to leave litter or build dams; its presence suggests not all visitors in the past have granted the Ford the respect it deserves.)

The streams are crossed by plank bridges; go left at the footpath sign, as directed, towards Abney. Follow the path to the Abney Clough track.

Walk through the superb woodland to Abney, which is entered via Diddykirk Lane. On reaching the street in Abney, turn left, passing the village hall, to Ash House Farm and a stile to your left (signposted 'Nether Bretton'.)

Cross the stile and drop down to a footbridge, then ascend via the steps to a gate. Continue to the stile in the field corner and pass Cockney Farm. Walk along the farm track to a gate, where you go right, alongside the wall. Continue to a ladder stile.

Descend through the enclosed fields to a gate; go through this and cross the stile beyond, where you will see a particularly charming spring. You now ramble through the birchwood to Bretton Brook, which you cross by plank bridges.

Ascend the bank via the (fairly steep) path, to a stile; continue upwards and onwards - the views should sustain you, should you be flagging at this stage - over a small stile and alongside the drystone wall to a signpost. Go left to the wall stile by the cottage and the ruined building at Nether Bretton.

On attaining the Bretton road, go right to visit the Barrel. Then walk back to the Broad Low verge east along the straight road; alternatively, turn left and walk along the lane to Broad Low - a more direct return with its own rewards, although the situation of the Barrel encourages a slight detour.