This Peak District Walk starts from Fairholme and includes Ladybower and Derwent resevoirs, a moorland section and the dramatic Alport Castles where a large landslip was the cause of the current scenic interest.
Technical sheet
n°292955
A Hope Woodlands walk
posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 06/09/16
(S/E) After parking head back to the road and walk north with the dam wall of the Derwent Reservoir on your right. Used as a practice area for the Lancaster bombers popularly known as the "Dambusters" there is a memorial to the aircrew. (There is also a small museum to the Dambusters aircrew, which is open on most weekends. There is no admission charge although donations are welcome.) Stay on the road, which offers good views across to Back Tor and Margery Hill to reach another dam which holds back the waters of Howden Reservoir.
(1) The majority of the road walking is over and turning west you reach a sharp bend in the road where it doubles back on itself. Just before the bridge over the river turn left along a forest track. After two hundred metres turn left again to join a signed footpath that climbs steadily out of the plantation and on to the moors. Reaching open country the views improve dramatically in all directions especially to the east and north. Stay with this footpath/track to reach Alport Castles. Formed from a massive landslip the location is quite dramatic with a superb view up the valley containing the River Alport towards Bleaklow.
(2) From Alport Castles turn south and follow the ridge path. This descends steadily to bring you to a cross-roads of paths at the western end of Hagg Side Plantation. Here you follow the southern edge of the wood for just under a kilometre to reach a fork in the path (grid ref. 171886) where you turn east and descend to the shores of Ladybower Reservoir. Rather than follow the road take the path that skirts the shore of the reservoir. This is a far more pleasant way to regain your transport at Fairholme(S/E).
Waypoints
S/E : km 0 - alt. 231 m - Fairholme car park
1 : km 3.91 - alt. 290 m - Turn west
2 : km 7.36 - alt. 469 m - Alport Castles - Turn south
S/E : km 14.18 - alt. 233 m
Useful Information
The area around the Derwent valley just north of the A57 from Sheffield to Glossop offers a good starting point for many excellent walks. The starting point, Fairholme car park, is often busy and at peak times (weekends and bank holidays) the road alongside the reservoir is closed to traffic north of this point. This does have benefits as the road walking is surprisingly pleasant on traffic free days. Fairholme also offers an information centre, bike hire, a refreshment kiosk and toilets.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
Date of walk : 31/07/21 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
From Fairholme car park a good walk taking in views of the reservoir and dams, steepish climb up onto the heather clad top, great views and so peaceful, fun to watch the birds and see the strange formation of rocks of Alport Castles - great for rock climbing.
mikekisil
Overall rating :
4 / 5
Date of walk : 28/09/19 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
This was a taxing walk made even more problematic because of truly adverse weather conditions - mainly heavy rain - which made the hill paths virtual mountain streams.
It was a simple walk to navigate and the details on the website regarding map, ascent, descent,length of walk, time taken to do it - were accurate. I would do this walk again in better weather conditions because the views were obscured by rain and mist. Your description needs to mention that to park at Fairholmes car park for more than 2 hours will cost £5 (Cost for all day parking). To avoid this charge, mention should be made of the various parking lay bys after the "cattle grid", which seem to be free and without a ticket machine but with limited space.
Woodster
Overall rating :
4.7 / 5
Date of walk : 16/06/18 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
A lovely walk on Father's day,
Woodster
Overall rating :
4 / 5
Date of walk : 16/06/18 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Father's Day 2018: me & my 71 yr old dad did this walk in reverse; starting @ the pay + display carpark(£3), climbing up the graded path towards Hagg Farm.
A lovely walk which included us both descending + scrambling up the Alport Castles detour off the main path. Approx 10 miles when back at the car.
A great day, a memorable Father's day. Thanks
Little Skip
Overall rating :
4 / 5
Date of walk : 23/03/18 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
We were a party of 17 adults of various ages above the half century mark. Staying at the Lockerbrook outdoor centre. I was looking for a walk that was interesting but not too strenuous. Also ideally it needed to encompass the centre. This walk was spot on in all departments. I did decide to do it in reverse to give our party the chance to get the highest climb out of the way whilst still fresh.
Usually I try to encompass a pub on route for a refreshment stop, this one did technically have a pub but unfortunately it was in Tin Town and had closed its doors about a century previously ha ha.
Great day though, thanks again hikideas.
Steve (little skip)
From Fairholme car park a good walk taking in views of the reservoir and dams, steepish climb up onto the heather clad top, great views and so peaceful, fun to watch the birds and see the strange formation of rocks of Alport Castles - great for rock climbing.
