This is a lovely walk up to Win Hill from Ladybower Reservoir. It might be a challenging hike to the top but the views are certainly worth it.
Our route begins from Heatherdene car park and passes by the popular ‘plugholes’. From here, you’ll walk around the reservoir path, with views across to Crook Hill, then up through the woods before reaching the path that leads to Win Hill.
From here, you’ll have wonderful views of the Hope Valley, looking across to nearby Lose Hill and in the distance, Mam Tor. The path takes you up to Win Hill summit, bagging a trig point and an Ethel before a downhill through the woods back to Ladybower Reservoir and the car park to end your walk.
Here you will find details on how to get to the start of the walk 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 Win Hill walk
Buy a printable/downloadable PDF route guide for the walk here.
Win Hill Walk from Ladybower Reservoir
Walk information + GPX
Walk type: Short moderate/challenging walk
Distance: 6.4 miles/10.4 km
Walk time: 3-4 hours
Total ascent: 352 m/1,154 ft
Highest point: 462 m/1,515 ft
Walk highlights: Walking across Ladybower Reservoir Dam and seeing the plugholes, views of Crook Hill, woodland trails, views of the Hope Valley then Win Hill trig and summit views
Trigs: 1 – Win Hill
Ethels: 1 – Win Hill
Stiles: 0
Win Hill walk map
© Crown copyright and database rights (2024) OS 002572460
Click for online mapWalk start point
Start grid reference: SK 202 859
The walk starts from the pay and display car park at Ladybower Reservoir, which is medium/large size car park. It costs £3.50 for up to 2 hours and £6.00 to park all day, you have an option to pay by cash at one machine and by card at the other (both next to each other).
Heatherdene car park, Ladybower Reservoir, Hope Valley, S33 0BY Google location
Facilities on the walk
There are public toilets available at the start of the walk at Heatherdene car park near Ladybower Reservoir. There are no other toilets or other facilities on the walk. Once you’ve finished the nearest pub is the Yorkshire Bridge, a short walk on the main road from the car park.
Other useful information
There is one road crossing (on the way there and back).
The section through the woods can be very muddy and boggy in places, this is only a short part of the walk but worth wearing waterproof footwear. It’s likely this will dry up in the warmer months but over winter into early spring it will be muddy.
Some of the paths are rocky and have an uneven surface, so hiking shoes or boots are recommended.
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
- 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.
visit shop
Charity Patches
Win Hill from Ladybower Reservoir route
Stage 1 – Heatherdene car park to Ladybower Reservoir Dam
Distance: 0.7 miles/1.1 km
Grid reference SK 2019 8547
From Heatherdene car park walk towards the toilet block to the right of the main parking area. Go down the wide path (photo below) that runs parallel to the road which is beneath through the trees. At the path junction, turn right here, heading towards Ladybower Reservoir. Walk down the stone steps to the road crossing.
Cross the road then bear left and take the path that goes directly across Ladybower Reservoir Dam. If you look over the wall to the right corner you’ll see one of the two large overflows, known as the plugholes. Walk across the dam, through the black gate at the end and turn right. You’ll see the second large plughole here.
Stage 2 – Ladybower Reservoir Dam to near Wooler Knoll
Distance: 2.1 miles/3.4 km
Grid reference SK 1977 8550
Follow the footpath with the reservoir on your right. Shortly after you’ll go past a rocky path on your left (ignore this for now, but this will be the way you come down from Win Hill). The path bends round to the left, if you look across you can see the bridge over the reservoir at the other end.
After about 800m, you’ll see a path (signposted Win Hill 1.5 km on your left). Again ignore this and keep walking, unless you want to shorten your walk. As you look across the reservoir, lovely views of Crook Hill appear on the opposite side.
After another 700m, (SK 1880 8603 – photo above) there’s a green public footpath signpost (no. 505), turn left here and follow the bridleway uphill heading towards Wooler Knoll. You continue on this route for 2 km (approximately 30-40 minutes walk time). The path is undulating and can be muddy in sections. There are several bike trails intersecting the path, ignore these and walk all the way on the path until you reach (the back) of another green public footpath signpost (no. 507) – photo below.
Stage 3 – Wooler Knoll to Win Hill Trig Point
Distance: 1.7 miles/ 2.7 km
Grid reference SK 1743 8650
Turn left at this signpost, going through the wooden gate and following the sign to ‘Win Hill and Hope’. Walk all the way up through the woods and as you get nearer the top you’ll see the light coming through the trees.
On your right through the trees you can see Wooler Knoll, a small hill amongst the trees. At the top, go through the gate, past the green signpost (no.508) and walk approximately 50 metres until you reach the main path.
Turn left here and follow the signpost along the permitted footpath to Win Hill. You’ll go through a metal kissing gate then continue onwards to Win Hill where its final point stands out prominently. Take the path on the right side of the hill, then follow it round to reach the Win Hill trig point.
Stage 4 – Win Hill Trig Point to Heatherdene Car Park
Distance: 2 miles/ 3.2 km
Grid reference SK 1867 8509
After enjoying the views from Win Hill summit, continue heading across the top (heading east), to the right there’s a path which you can pick up. From here, it’s all downhill, however, the path is rocky so take care on your descent. At the base of the pike, the path crosses a boundary wall (now barely visible) and you keep heading down.
You’ll reach the top of the forest and may need to detour past a couple of fallen trees. Walk down until you reach a stone wall, on your right you’ll see a metal kissing gate, go through here and take the footpath bearing left through the trees.
At the bottom, turn left and now continue on this footpath for 900 metres (approximately 15-20 minutes). The path then splits here, and you need to turn sharp right and follow the path signposted ‘Ladybower Dam and Yorkshire Bridge’ (no.511). Again, this is a rocky path, so take your time on the descent.
This path brings you back out on the path next to the reservoir (where you walked at the start of the route). Turn right, then follow the path until you reach the footpath over the dam. Turn left here, go across the dam, cross the road, go up the steps and turn left, you’re now on the path that leads back to the car park.
Ask me any questions about this Win Hill walk from Ladybower Reservoir in the comments below.
More walk information
More walks in the Peak District
Looking for more routes near Ladybower Reservoir? You might like these Peak District circular walks.
- Bamford Edge, Stanage Edge, Derwent Edge from Ladybower Reservoir | 12-Mile Route
- Derwent Edge Circular Walk (via Lost Lad + Back Tor) | 8-Mile Route
- Crook Hill Walk From Ladybower Reservoir | 4-Mile Route
Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here
Peak District Walks is a FREE online resource. Are you enjoying the walks? You can say thank you and buy me a coffee here. Thank you very much 🙂
Peak District charity patches
Read about the charity here.
Charity Patches
Charity Patches
Charity Patches
Charity Patches
Charity Patches
Charity Patches
Need more help planning your Peak District trip?
Join our Peak District walks Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and Twitter for inspiration.
More information on the Peak District, including transport options, where to stay, best Peak District pubs + other useful resources.
Check out the 7 YHAs in the Peak District and find the best walks direct from your accommodation.
Find out what maps you will need for your trip here.
Top tips - Read our useful guides on hiking tips here.
Guided Walks with an introduction to map reading (see dates here).
Visit our hiking recommendations page, (footwear, clothes + kit).
Or get in touch and I will help as best I can :).
Please note 'Peak District Walks' accepts no liability for any injuries or accidents resulting from walking our routes. We always recommend you wear appropriate footwear to avoid injuries and to take a paper map and compass on your walks. Read more here.
*Peak District Walks participates in the Amazon Services Associates Programme, as well as other affiliate programmes. If you purchase through these, Peak District Walks earn from the qualifying links. This is at no extra cost to you. Read more here.
