Ladybower Reservoir and Derwent Edge | 8 Miles
This Ladybower Reservoir and Derwent Edge circular walk starts in Fairholmes and heads up onto the moors above Ladybower Reservoir, walking along Derwent Edge to the Wheel Stones and the Salt Cellar, before dropping back down Dovestone Clough. At 8 miles, this is a lovely walk to do in August when the heather is in full bloom!
Take a stroll around Ladybower Reservoir and Derwent Edge with this beautiful circular walk. Starting in Fairholmes, you’ll explore the moors above Ladybower Reservoir and meander along Derwent Edge as you take in breathtaking views of the nearby valleys.
We set off from Fairholmes car park along the path next to Howden dam, a very impressive structure which looks amazing when the dam is overflowing. Following Derwent Lane, we passed the site of the old Derwent Church which is visible in a dry spell.
We then climbed up the hillside, past High House Farm, and headed out onto the moors. The climb up is relatively steep but the path is well formed. At the top of the hill, we turned left and wandered along Derwent Edge to the Wheel Stones, had a clamber about on there and then set off towards White Tor. The views from here over Ladybower are amazing!
Our next stop off was at the Salt Cellar, which looks amazing with the famous Peak District heather in full bloom. It’s not the easiest to find though – it’s not on the main path and is to the east of the rock formation, near the dry stone wall.
From the Salt Cellar we followed the dry stone wall down to pick up a footpath on Derwent Moors, marked by a National Trust sign. We waded through the bracken, following the path along the bottom of Derwent Edge to Dovestone Tor. Here the path winds around the top of Dovestone Clough, and we followed it down into the valley bottom before climbing back up slightly to follow the path back to Fairholmes and a well earned ice cream.
This is an amazing walk to do if you want to see the Peak District heather at it’s finest. It’s also a brilliant place for a sunset or sunrise (not that I’ve managed either yet!).
We parked at Fairholmes when we went on a walk to Alport Castles and you might also like this Derwent Reservoir and Slippery Stones Walk or Derwent Edge, Derwent Moors and Boots Folly.
Ladybower to Derwent Edge Walk Route Map:Â
Walk Map (Opens in OS Maps):Â Ladybower and Derwent Edge Walk
Parking: Fairholmes, Derwent Ln, Bamford, Hope Valley S33 0AQ – pay and display
Facilities:Â The visitors centre has toilets and a cafe
Walk Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: ▲▲
Distance: 8 miles (12.46km)
Trig Points Bagged: None (you could extend the walk to the nearby Back Tor)
Peak District Peaks Bagged: None (you could extend the walk to the nearby Back Tor)
Peak District Ethels Bagged: None (you could extend the walk to the nearby Back Tor)
You may also like these other Ladybower Reservoir walks:
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