A wonderful walk around part of Ladybower Reservoir from Fairholmes Visitor Centre in the Upper Derwent Valley of the Peak District. This walk is perfect for a morning or afternoon adventure, and it’ll suit most people. The is a low-level route, with no stiles, making it ideal for almost everyone. However, there are some steps so those in wheelchairs or with pushchairs will need to take a short detour to complete the loop (read the section in ‘Other Information’).
From Fairholmes you begin by heading towards the impressive Derwent Dam and the two iconic towers either side. The route then heads alongside the reservoir all the way until the A57 (Snake Pass), where you’ll walk over the Ashopton Viaduct before picking up the path on the other side.
Here you will find details on how to get to the start of the walk at Fairholmes at Ladybower Reservoir, plus options for parking, route information, map, GPX file, plus a detailed step-by-step guide of the walk.
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about this Ladybower Reservoir walk
Buy a printable/downloadable PDF route guide for the walk here.
Derwent Dam + Ladybower Reservoir walk from Fairholmes
Walk information + GPX
Walk type: Short easy walk
Distance: 5.8 miles/9.3 km
Walk time: 2-3 hours
Total ascent: 172 m/564 ft
Highest point: 237 m/777 ft
Walk highlights: Walking past Derwent Dam and seeing the east and west towers, views of Win Hill, Crook Hill and Derwent Edge as you walk around, Ashopton Viaduct (bridge), woodland section of the trail.
Trigs: 0
Ethels: 0
Stiles: 0 (no stiles, but there are steps – see ‘Other Information’ for alternative route)
Ladybower Reservoir walk map
© Crown copyright and database rights (2024) OS 002572460
Click for online mapWalk start point + Parking
Start grid reference: SK 1722 8937 What3words: ///satellite.nest.tweezers
Fairholmes Visitor Centre, Fairholmes car park, Upper Derwent Valley, S33 0AQ – Google location
The car park is a pay and display. Due to limited/no signal at this location, the parking machines are cash only or you can pay by card in the visitor centre (opens 9.30/10 am depending on the day).
- Parking costs: £3.50 (up to 2 hours) and £6.00 (all day)
There are additional parking spaces in the lay-by’s alongside the road – Derwent Overlook car park, these used to be free but they are now also Pay and Display so don’t get caught out! However, these parking options are cheaper, especially if you’re not staying long. What3words: ///forklift.measures.downfield
- Parking costs: £1.50 (up to 1 hour), £2.50 (up to 2 hours), £4.00 (up to 4 hours), £4.75 (all day)
Facilities on the walk
At the start of the walk at Fairholmes, there are public toilets, a Visitor Centre and a small takeaway cafe. On the rest of the walk there are no other toilets, from Ashopton Viaduct (the bridge across the A57 road), Heatherdene car park has toilets, but it would be an extra 1 km there and back.
Other useful information
There are a couple of muddy parts through the woodland sections (second half of the walk), hiking footwear is recommended.
Accessible option for the walk – As mentioned the route has no stiles but there’s one small section on the second half of the walk that has steps, which you may wish to avoid. See Step no. 3.
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. It’s often good to check a few resources.
- BBC Weather for Bamford
- Met Office weather for Win Hill (nearest hill)
- 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). Check prices here with Ordnance Survey or Amazon. If you’re hiking in all weathers the Active OS maps are good to have.
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 the OS Online App (I have been using it 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 the 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.
Bamford Edge patch
Bamford Edge is a stunning viewpoint in the Peak District.
Our patch captures the view from Bamford Edge looking towards Ladybower Reservoir. Order your patch below.
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Derwent Dam + Ladybower Reservoir route
Stage 1 – Fairholmes car park to Derwent Dam
Distance: 0.25 miles/0.4 km
Grid reference SK 1722 8937
From the Visitor Centre, walk around the building, past the takeaway cafe and you’ll see a footpath alongside where the picnic benches are. (If you’ve parked in the Derwent Overlook car park then it’s worth popping down here as there are toilets).
Follow the path as it inclines and picks up the road. Shortly after joining this there’s another short trail on the right, if you’re walking with children this is loads of fun as there are wood carvings and plenty to explore. It’s only 500 m circular loop (approx) but worth adding on if you want to entertain them.
Walk across the bridge and straight ahead you’ll see the huge Derwent Dam, with its prominent east (right) and west (left) towers either side. Our route continues on the road but you can take another short detour on the grass to explore up close!
Stage 2 – Derwent Dam to Ashopton Viaduct (Snake Pass Road)
Distance: 2.7 miles/4.3 km
Grid reference SK1739 8962
Follow the road all the way around until you are now walking on the other side of the reservoir (although it’s hidden from view). The road goes up a gentle incline, then you’ll see a farm track on the left (ignore this) and keep walking up the road. You’ll go past a house, with a red phone box (still in use).
Then there’s another track leading off on the left, again ignore this and keep walking downhill as the road bends around to the right. You’ll go over a bridge with wooden railings, then there a bench and viewpoint with an information sign, telling you about Dewent’s Village of the Dams.
After this then continue on the wide path, until you reach a wooden gate, go through and keep walking. The scenery now beings to open up and you have lovely views. You’ll go through another wooden gate and the path bends around to the right, before taking you back alongside the reservoir.
Ahead of you, above Ashopton Viaduct you can see the iconic Win Hill, seen from many locations in the Peak District.
You will now reach a metal gate, go through here and bear right on the road leading down to the A57 main road. There isn’t another gate before the road so be sure not to let children run ahead.
Stage 3 – Ashopton Viaduct to Ladybower Reservoir (west side)
Distance: 0.3 miles/ 0.5 km
Grid reference SK 1949 8648
As you reach the road, turn immediately right and walk on the wide pavement across Ashopton Viaduct (bridge). Turn right at the side road and go through the wooden gate that heads across the grass.
*Accessible option – Please note, you’ll need to continue on the road section here to miss out the steps which are further on the path.
Stage 4 – Ladybower Reservoir to Fairholmes car park
Distance: 2.5 miles/ 4.1 km
Grid reference SK 1915 8646
Walk on the path across the grass, past the old building and into the woods, then you’ll reach approximately 10 steps that take you over a narrow path where the reservoir pipes go across, then 10 steps on the other side.
Follow the footpath that bears right and leads you through more beautiful woodland. Along this section there are lots of bluebells, but these can flower later than other parts of the Peak District due to its remoteness.
You’ll go through a small wooden gate before the path leads up to the Derwent Overlook car park. Keep walking, now on the pavement and you’ll reach the turning on the right that leads into the car park where you finish your walk.
Ask me any questions about this Ladybower Reservoir walk in the comments below.
More walk information
Shorten the walk
As this loop goes around the Ladybower Reservoir (part of it), there’s no option to shorten the route. However, you could pick one side and walk, there and back, to the time or distance you prefer. The path is better (less muddy) on the north side so I’d recommend picking that one for easier walking or if you enjoy mud and woods then pick the other side.
More walks in the Peak District
Looking for more routes near Ladybower Reservoir? You might like these Peak District circular walks.
- Win Hill Walk From Ladybower Reservoir | 6-Mile Route
- Alport Castles Walk From Ladybower Reservoir (Fairholmes) | 10-Mile Route
- Derwent Edge Circular Walk (via Lost Lad + Back Tor) | 8-Mile Route
Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here
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