It’s been a while since we added a long walk for you. This route is one that over 200 people requested via Instagram so here you go!
This long walk begins from Fairholmes near Derwent Dam and Reservoir, first it takes you uphill along to Alport Castles with beautiful views of this huge landslide. Then the path looks less path-like as the boggy moorland ground dictates which way you head up to West End Moor trig point. The next section is similar terrain as you reach Alport Moor (an Ethel) and beyond to Bleaklow Stones and Grinah Stones.
In terms of navigation, the section of the walk after Alport Castles is toughest to navigation due to how quickly the path disappears (and re-appears). Please note, I’d only recommend this walk for experienced navigators. Also, a map and compass is essential.
From Grinah Stones, the path was more obvious, along to Barrow Stones then heading down to pick up a track alongside a couple of small shelters then across the River Derwent. From here you can ease off the navigation as you simply follow Derwent Reservoir all the way to the second dam then back down to Fairholmes.
PS. If you love boggy terrain then this is the walk for you!
Here you will find details on how to get to the start of the walk, route information, map, GPX file, plus a detailed step by step guide of the walk.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve done this walk and what you think!
Alport Castles, Bleaklow + Derwent Reservoir from Fairholmes
Walk information + GPX
Walk type: Long circular walk
Distance: 17.2 miles/27.6 km
Walk time: 8-9 hours
Total ascent: 669 m/2,195 ft
Highest point: 627 m/2,057 ft
Walk highlights: Alport Castles and views of The Tower, Views from West End Moor trig, Bleaklow Stones, Grinah Stones, Bothy, River Derwent, Derwent Reservoir + Derwent Dam
Trigs: 1 – West End Moor
Ethels: 1 – Alport Moor
Stiles: 3
Alport Castles, Bleaklow + Derwent Valley walk map
© Crown copyright and database rights (2024) OS 002572460
Click for online map
Walk start point
Start grid reference: SK 17315 89330
Car parking address: Fairholmes car park, Upper Derwent Visitor Centre, Hope Valley, S33 0AQ – Google location
Parking Cost (Cash and card payments are accepted)
Up to 2 hours £3.50
Over 2 hours £6.00
There are some spaces before the car park, these used to be free however, I’ve been notified that pay and display machines have been added (January 2022).
Public transport
Nearest train station: Bamford train station (6 mile/10 km)
The nearest train station is Bamford train station (6 mile/10 km). There is a bus that you can catch from Bamford near the station, the 273, that stops near Fairholmes car park
Facilities on the walk
There are public toilets available at the start of the walk at Fairholmes but then there’s nothing once you’ve left the car park. There’s also a small cafe and stop at the visitor centre.
Water on your walk – I recommend a filter water bottle for your Peak District walks, it saves you carrying extra weight and you can fill up safely and drink water from the streams on your walk. The best place to fill up on this walk is as you reach the River Derwent.
Other useful information
As perviously mentioned, this route has large sections where the path is difficult to follow due to the boggy ground. There are also some deep boggy sections so be sure to walk around and not through them (see below). Please note I was trail running this route but I’d normally recommend waterproof boots and gaiters for this route, unless you want wet feet like me!
In poor visibility this route could be extremely challenging, so please consider if this is the right long walk for you. As an alternative, the Edale Skyline is a route that although longer is slightly easily to navigate.
Please keep the Peak District beautiful and respect everyone who uses the park. Take ALL your rubbish home to dispose of and remember close gates (as you found them). Thank you so much.
Would you know what to do in an emergency situation?
We have a guide with what to do, who you need to call and also some useful kit that should be in your backpack. Ask us any questions in the comments or via our social media.
Happy hiking + stay safe
read herePeak District weather
Check the weather for your walk location and hills. We’d recommend that you check a few resources and for hill walks look at the weather conditions in the valley and on the hilltop as they can greatly vary. Bleaklow area can also live up to it’s name in terms of weather and the area is very exposed in bad weather.
- BBC Weather for Bamford
- Met Office weather for Bleaklow
- Met Office weather and/or MWIS (Mountain weather information service) for the Peak District
Ordnance Survey walk map
The map for this walk is the Ordnance Survey OL1 – Peak District (Dark Peak Area).
View the different prices here with Ordnance Survey or Amazon. If you’re hiking in all weathers the Active OS maps are good to have as they are laminated so better on rainy days.
View both Peak District map options here.
And don’t forget your compass, I recommend the Silva Expedition or the Silva Classic compass.
For online maps, I recommend OS Online App (I have been using for many years and it is worth getting if you want to start walking more). Check prices here for the one month or annual option with OS Online App. All the walks on the website are created using OS Online + you can download them to the App.
See both maps that cover the Peak District here.
Want to learn more map skills? Check out our Guided walks with map reading or Guided walks with compass skills.
Alport Castles, Bleaklow + Derwent Reservoir walk route
Stage 1 – Fairholmes car park to Alport Castles
Distance: 3 miles/5 km
Grid reference SK 17315 89330
From Fairholmes car park, head out towards the main road. Turn left and walk up the road looking for a small public footpath signpost on the right-hand side (near the additional lay-bys – you can also park here). Follow this path as it takes a switchback path up to the top and over a stile.
Once over the stile, cross the track and continue heading uphill over the grass towards a wide gate. Continue walking along this path all the way until you reach the iconic landslide, known as Alport Castles, complete with the rocky outcrop, The Tower.
Stage 2 – Alport Castles to Bleaklow Stones
Distance: 4 mile/6.5 km
Grid reference SK 14136 91567
Follow this path next to the edge and onwards towards the West End Moor trig point, you can see this white trig in the distance about 2 km away. After the trig the path becomes even more difficult to follow, this is a boggy section so a faint path comes and goes (you may find it easier to take a compass bearing). After another 2 km, you’ll reach Alport Moor (SK 12006 94573) at 535 m, which is a Peak District Ethel.
Turn left and downhill, across a plateau and then begin another uphill section towards Bleaklow Stones (SK 11558 96360). Again the path is difficult to follow in places, Bleaklow Stones are easy to spot on a clear day; however in bad weather this will be challenging so a map and compass is needed.
Stage 3 – Bleaklow Stones to Derwent Reservoir
Distance: 3.7 miles/6 km
Grid reference SK 11558 96360
From Bleaklow Stones, across the moorlands you can see iconic Grinah Stones to your east. Follow the path from Bleaklow Stones heading left and contouring around to Grinah Stones (SK 13024 96182), as you near them you’ll head uphill before reaching this wide area with lots of stones.
This part of the walk takes you towards the stones then turns sharply back left away from them. Walk across moorland to Barrow Stones, including one large stacked rock (photo above), turn left here over the stile and head downhill for about 500 m until you reach a stone cairn. Turn right here and continue on the path which leads downhill past a small tarn on your right then you’ll pick up an established track. Yep, the boggy ground has ended, pretty much!
Turn left and follow the track, you’ll go past two small shelters, one with a door that’s perfect for lunch break if the weather is bad. Continue heading downhill until you reach the River Derwent, cross over at the best point, there were a few stones that made good stepping stones but after heavy rain this may be under water.
Once across the river, turn left uphill then once on the track above turn right and head towards Derwent Reservoir in the distance.
Stage 4 – Derwent River + Reservoir to Fairholmes car park
Distance: 6 miles/10 km
Grid reference SK 15377 96735
This is the easier part of the walk to navigate, as long as you keep the reservoir on your right! There’s a wide track that runs all the way alongside the reservoir and it makes a change of scenery from the previous section of the walk. The track winds around the reservoir and past two large dams.
At the second one, take the path through a gate on the right heading towards the left tower. From here you can head directly down the steps or select the gradual switchback path down to the bottom. Walk alongside the dam and round the corner and you’re back at Fairholmes car park.
Ask me any questions about this walk in the comments below.
More walk information
Shorten the walk
As this is a long walk across difficult terrain there aren’t many options for shortening the route. If you are finding it too challenging the best option would be to retrace your steps to Alport Castles and take the path on the left heading downhill towards the reservoir from there. Grid reference SK 14122 91589
The halfway point on the walk is Grinah Stones, once you’ve reach here it’s quicker to continue on the route instead of turning back due to the terrain.
More walks in the Peak District
Love the long walks in the Peak District? You might like these walks.
- Edale to Crowden Long Walk (via the Pennine Way) | 17-Mile Route
- Edale Skyline Route | 20-Mile Route (Ultimate Peak District Challenge)
- Edale to Kinder Downfall Circular Walk (+ Kinder Reservoir) | 15-Mile Route
Or search all our Peak District walks here
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