The Peak District & Derbyshire

Derwent Valley and reservoir walk

A blue and purple sky reflected in a large expanse of water with a small silhouetted jetty jutting into the water on the bottom left and a silhouetted twiggy tree branch in the top left. In the distance are snow-capped hills, bathing in morning sunlight. — Ladybower Reservoir in the Derwent Valley in snow, at dawn | © National Trust Images/Tom Harman

Discover many key Peak District habitats as you walk alongside the Ladybower Reservoir, through farmland and up steep wooded cloughs. You'll emerge high on top of the moors to panoramic views of the Derwent Valley and much of the High Peak area. Look out for golden plover, mountain hares and many other species on the way.

Near to

Kinder, Edale and the High Peak

Start point

Fairholmes car park, grid ref: SK173893

Plan ahead

There are no bins in the countryside, so please take all litter home with you. Barbecues, campfires and outdoor cooking equipment is not allowed due to fire risk. If you wish to stay overnight, please book in at a campsite, as wild camping is not allowed in this area.

Address
Near Derwent Dam, Peak District, Derbyshire S33 0AQ.
Directions via Google Maps
By train
The nearest station is Bamford, 4 miles (6.4km) away. Sheffield is 12 miles (19.3km) away.
On foot
Derwent Valley Heritage Way runs from Ladybower Reservoir to the confluence of the River Derwent and the River Trent.
By bus
The 273 bus between Sheffield, Ladybower and Castleton. Alight at Fairholmes information point.
Cycling
Upper Derwent Valley Cycle Path (National Cycle Route 54) follows valley bottom, with on-road and off-road routes.
By road
M67 junction 3, M1 junction 31. Take A57 then turn off at Ladybower Reservoir.
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Fairholmes car park, grid ref: SK173893
Stage 1
Start your walk at Fairholmes car park, turning right out of the car park and following the road towards Derwent Dam.
Stage 2
Walk past the dam and follow the road uphill, walking alongside Ladybower Reservoir on the right and Old House Farm on the left, towards the site of the old Derwent village.
Stage 3
The village was flooded when the dam was built in the Second World War. Only two buildings remain; the Lodge and the schoolroom, which you pass as you walk along the lane. To view the site of the village and an information panel, continue down the slope and, across a bridge. Retrace your route back up the short slope and at the top, turn sharp right at the end of a high wall onto a track, over a stile and past the ruins of a farm.
Stage 4
Continue uphill until you reach a cottage. Just past the cottage, where the path divides, keep left and climb uphill through open fields and then over a stile onto moorland. After about ½ mile (800m) and a right turn by a wall corner, as the track levels, you will pass Pike Low 100 yards (90m) on your left.
Stage 5
Continue along this track above Mill Brook (below on your right). Follow the track to the Scots pine shelter belt ahead, which runs towards Green Sitches (a sitch is a ditch or wet area). Keep left at the fork just before the pines.
New trees
We are planting more trees here to improve the wildlife habitat, as part of our 50-year High Peak moors vision. We're using natural regeneration and some planting of native trees such as oak, rowan and Scots pine. At one point this whole area was wooded, but due to clearance, which has taken place since Roman times, very little remains. We prevent grazing of sheep here to help protect the trees, which in turn will attract wildlife. You are free to enter these enclosures to see the results of our work, but please avoid crossing large areas of heather between March – July 31st, during bird nesting season.
Stage 6
Follow the track until it turns right at a fence. Cross the fence by the stile and continue to the derelict farmstead of Bamford House along the edge of the moor, with Derwent Reservoir below on your left.
Stage 7
On reaching Bamford House, turn left and take the steep path downhill towards the reservoir. Turn left again once you reach Derwent Reservoir and follow this track alongside the reservoir and back towards Derwent Dam and Fairholmes car park.
End point
Fairholmes car park, grid ref: SK173893
Trail map
Derwent Valley and reservoir walk route map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Near to

Start point

Trail information

Difficulty*

Full trail

Plan ahead

Getting here

Facilities

Terrain and elevation

Trail route

Total stages: 7

Total stages: 7

Start point

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 5

Point of interest

Stage 6

Stage 7

End point

Trail map

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