This is a delightful walk starting with a hike over to the often ignored Crook Hill before a stroll along the eastern banks of Ladybower Reservoir. The start is the car park at Fairholmes reached off the A57 Snake Pass road from Sheffield to Glossop.
(S/E)Leave Fairholmes and walk south down the main road until you see a gate and sign pointing to Lockerbrook Farm on the other side of the road. Follow the path through the woods, ascending to reach a track near the farm. Turn left and walk along the track past Lockerbrook Farm to reach a junction.
(1)Take a small path on the left to stay on the edge of the woods and bend round to a gate. Pass through the gate and walk by the edge of the woods to reach two stiles. Go over both stiles and make your way over Bridge-end Pasture then slope down to come to another gate and a signpost.
(2)Follow the path leading to Snake Road into a field containing the twin tops of Crook Hill. Shortly after entering the field leave the path and head left towards the eastern slope of the first top then climb up the grassy bank once you are past the rocks on the north side. The views from this hill are magnificent, despite a height of only 382m. From the first top drop down the grassy bank then climb up onto the second hill. The 374m summit is not as clearly defined as the first hill but the views are equally as good.
(3)Leave Crook Hill and descend eastwards to join the main path. You should be near a path that leads through a field by-passing Crookhill Farm to join a road. Turn left and follow the road down to the Fairholmes road. Turn right and follow this road to meet the A57.
(4)Cross the viaduct then turn left to get onto the track which follows the banks of the reservoir for approximately 2 miles before sloping left down through the woods back to Fairholmes car park.
