Ladybower Reservoir Circular

Ladybower Reservoir Circular is a 16.8-mile loop from the car park opposite the Ladybower Inn, taking in the reservoir valley, farmland, open moor and woodland. This is the long route, not the easy 5- or 6-mile shoreline walk. Allow eight to ten hours. The challenge is the distance, with roughly 3,000 feet of climbing across several hills. Do it if you want a proper day out linking the water with the higher country above it.

The opening section follows a trail beside the road to Ashopton Viaduct, then crosses the bridge before a short road stretch leads to the Ladybower dam wall. From there, paths and tracks pass through gates to Carr Lane, Thornhill and Aston. Quiet lanes, fields and the lower slopes of Win Hill replace the reservoir promenade. Free Range Lane and Ruin Edge Lane take you uphill through farmland to Wooler Knoll, where the views start to widen.

Ashopton's story is part of the walk. The village was submerged when the reservoir was built, and the old site lies below the water near the A57 bridge. Ladybower, Derwent and Howden are three linked reservoirs, together making the Peak District's largest expanse of water.

From Wooler Knoll, the route reaches Hope Cross, then drops to Haggwater Bridge over the River Ashop. You cross more open ground and road before climbing past Rowlee Farm and Lockerbrook Farm, an 18th-century building on an old packhorse route. The reward is a high, changing view over the Derwent Valley and reservoirs.

The return follows the upper reservoir edge, passes a memorial to the Dambusters, and uses Derwent Lane before climbing again to Whinstone Lee Tor. The final descent through Priddock and Ladybower woods is a welcome change of pace. When the water is still, frame the reservoir reflection with the grassy hillside opposite. It captures the valley better than a close-up of the dam.

Start at the car park opposite the Ladybower Inn on the A57. This line includes several road sections, gates and open moorland, and the route signage is only average, so keep the route map handy. Watch for traffic where the path uses a road, and treat Haggwater Bridge and the longer climbs as real commitments late in the day. Dogs can come, but keep them on a lead around farmland, wildlife and other walkers. Fairholmes has toilets and a refreshment kiosk on the upper-valley section, while the Ladybower Inn is the obvious separate stop after finishing. If you want the same reservoir scenery without the all-day commitment, choose the shorter shoreline circuit instead.