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Derwent & Ladybower Reservoir -Circular Walk
Distance: 11 miles
Duration: 5.5 hours walking
Difficulty: 3 (Moderate)
A circuit of the Upper Derwent valley and its reservoirs makes one of the finest routes in the Dark Peak, perfect exercise after the New Year celebrations!
The Derwent and Ladybower reservoirs are famous for the Dambusters 617 R.A.F. Squadron during World War 2, who buzzed this place on low-level practices before their May 1943 raid on Moehne and Eder Dams in Germany, with thier famous 'bouncing bomb'.
The walk follows the edge of Ladybower before ascending to Derwent Edge. Once the hard work has been done, you can walk along Derwent Edge and enjoy the excellent views. Keeping close to the edge all the way, you can admire the marvellous shapes of these gritstone tors - some of the most knarled and weather-beaten of any rocks in the Dark Peak, toughened outcrops which have survived the blast of the elements. The path then leads you up to the highest point of the walk, Lost Lad at (526m), before descending back down towards Derwent Reservoir, following the contours around the hillside, zigzagging down steeply through the trees to reach the reservoir and along its banks through the forest back to the visitors centre for a hot drink!
Kit list: Hiking boots (not trekking shoes please), walking trousers (no jeans, or tracksuit bottoms), waterproofs essential, fleece, hat, gloves, water, flask optional, packed lunch & head torch if you have one, but not essential.
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