Win Hill and Ladybower Reservoir Loop | 8 Miles
This Win Hill and Ladybower Reservoir loop is 8 miles. Passing the famous Ladybower plugholes, the walk heads up to Win Hill, passing the ruins of Win Hill Barn, and then along Wooler Knoll to the Hope Cross before passing through Hope Woodlands next to Ladybower Reservoir. There’s only one major climb, and then it’s flattish or downhillish all the way!
Win Hill has some of the best views in the Peak District. At 463m high this iconic peak towers over Ladybower Reservoir and can be seen from miles around. It’s a brilliant place to head for a sunrise (it doesn’t get anywhere near as busy as Mam Tor does) and looks spectacular in late summer when the heather is out. There are a few ways to hike Win Hill, but I love an old ruined building and this Win Hill and Ladybower Reservoir loop walk took us past Win Hill Barn and the remains of Elmin Pits Farm in Hope Woodlands which was abandoned when the Ladybower Reservoir was flooded.
Our walk starts from the parking lay-by next to the Yorkshire Bridge Inn – we got there really early to get a space. There is more (paid) parking at the Heatherdene car park a short distance away. We crossed the dam wall and turned right, having a nosy at the Ladybower plugholes on the way. They weren’t overflowing (this was on 29 November 2024).
It was a bit muddy in places!
Passing the plugholes we wandered along the path until it forked, then we took the steep, rough track up to the left. After about 0.4 miles the path forks again and we turned left up through the trees along a very muddy track. This track passes the remains of Win Hill Barn, which used to be a barn and loose courtyard.
From the barn we continued up the hillside, along the fence line, with the trees giving way to open moorland. We crossed the stile and then started the steeper climb up Win Hill, following the well worn path. It wasn’t long before we reached the trig point and stopped to admire the view/have a snack.
Views from Win Hill trig point. You can see Lose Hill and the Great Ridge with Mam Tor over to the left of the picture, as well as Kinder Scout.
We continued over the top of Winhill Pike (aka the top of Win Hill) and followed the lovely wide track down over Wooler Knoll to the Hope Cross, a Grade II listed waymarker with a date of 1737 on. Just after the cross we entered the woodlands and followed the track down the hill. The track turns sharply back on itself near the site of Elmin Pits Farm, a collection of farm buildings which was abandoned when Ladybower Reservoir was built.
Hope Cross – we went through the wall and into the woods just above where the shadows are.
Elmin Pits Farm
Elmin Pits Farm
The track continues down the hillside to run alongside Ladybower Reservoir and has some fabulous views up to Crook Hill and over the reservoir to Bamford Edge. It eventually brings you back to the plugholes, and then it’s just back across the dam and back to the car (or the Yorkshire Bridge Inn for a lovely pub lunch and well deserved drink!).
Crook Hill and Ladybower Reservoir
Win Hill and Ladybower Reservoir Loop Walk Details:
Walk Map (Opens in OS Maps): Win Hill and Ladybower Loop
Parking: We parked in one of the free lay-bys on Ashopton Rd, Bamford, Hope Valley S33 0AZ W3W:///cookbooks.uncouth.dime
Facilities: None, but there are toilets in the Heatherdene car park a short distance away. Take all your rubbish home with you – remember to LEAVE NO TRACE.
Walk Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: ▲▲ – there’s one climb up
Distance: 7.8 miles (12.55km)
Elevation: 1100ft (335m)
Trig Points Bagged: Win Hill
Peak District Peaks Bagged: Win Hill
Peak District Ethels Bagged: Win Hill
For more Win Hill walks you might like:
Ladybower Reservoir Walk With Win Hill | 8 Miles (a different route!)
Lose Hill and Win Hill | 8 Miles
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