Any keen walkers on here. Advice needed.

One of our favourite walks is around Derwent and Howden reservoirs. Its approx 11 miles, I think. Turn off the A57 and park at the visitor centre at Fairholmes, then head off up the road, keeping the water to your right. Fairly easy going.

Fairholmes is pay and display. Alternatively, if (like us) you're prepared to walk a little further to save a couple of quid, then you can take advantage of one of the free parking areas that lie between Fairholmes and the A57.

Take a picnic and relax at the Slippery Stones bridge, which lies at the tip of the reservoirs. You can even have a paddle there if you like. Then head back down the other side of the reservoirs to Fairholmes again. Some cracking views all way round on this walk. Don't forget to treat yourself to a burger and/or ice cream when you get back. Smashing!

 

The Stocksbridge Walkers website is well worth a look. Lots of local walks listed on here, sorted by length of walk. Each one comes with a downloadable file containing a step-by-step route and a map, including interesting historical info and photos to keep you on the right path. I usually put the file on my mobile beforehand and refer to it as needed.

https://stocksbridge-walkers.org.uk

 

Done this circular walk around Ladybower a few times, it's relatively flat, other than the climb up to the Derwent Dam viewing points. Parked at Fairholmes where there is the visitor centre and facilities, but it can get busy. There is parking along the road towards Fairholmes too.

Echo other comments about the Ladybower Inn, last visited in August, good simple pub food and beer.

The walk is just over 6 miles from my Strava data, and even taking it steady with my wife and kids, took just over 2 hours.

Towards summer, you can do an approx 16 mile walk from. Langsett to Ladybower and back. It's hilly but it's a fantastic stretch out and the views are stunning.

 

Winn Hill is the hill on the opposite bank of Ladybower which drops down into Hope on the other side. Ladybower walk round north part is about 6 miles with Fairholmes halfway round if you park on the bridge. It's free on there but busy at weekends. Ladybower Inn, Fairhomes and a couple of car parks on way to Fairholmes car park you have to pay. The top walk around Derwent and Howden dams is a lot further and you cant cut it short because there's no path between the reservoirs so unless you can walk over 10 miles I'd do Ladybower.

 

What if you're on blood pressure tablets?

 

30 years ago, when I was considerably fitter than I am now, we had a Field Spaniel. I began taking him for walks and was frustrated that I could not tire him. In desperation, I devised a walk home (Wombwell) from Ladybower Reservoir across the moors. It took us 9 and a half hours, and I was absolutely k********. Some half hour later, we had a knock on our door. It was a young lad from up our street. He wanted to know whether the dog fancied a walk. The little b***** went with him for a walk. I never challenged that dog again.

 

Haha brilliant

 

How far does she want to go and how physically fit is she? You can stroll from Fairholmes back to the main road along the side of the water which is a couple of miles each way and relatively flat, or you can yomp over the hills to Langset, Strines, Edale, Hope or even Penistone.

Actually train to Edale then over the moors to Penistone station via Ladybower would be a decent 20+ mile jaunt on a good day. It would be torturous and probably fatal on a bad day.

 

Train to Penistone, walk over the hill to Langsett then via the Cut Gate to Slippery Stones, down by Howden, Derwent and Ladybower resses, home by train from Bamford.

 

What has this got to do with wa@king?

 

On the subject of train walks, Marsden to Edale is a whopping 30 miler with train connections at both ends. I've done it but over 2 days with an overnight camp at Crowden. Wildboar Clough, on the northern flank of Bleaklow, is on the route and is one of the best Peak District scrambles.

 

You must be going blind, the original post is about WALKING

I did the above about 10 years ago promising my daughter and her boyfriend a slap up meal at the Marquis of Granby before the train home only to find when we got there it had been pulled down . Had to make do with a load of 5hite from the garage nearby.

 

We regularly walk at Ladybower. It's easiest to turn right off the A6013 and drive along the side of the reservoir to the main car park at Fairholmes. There's a cafe and toilets there. It's very busy particularly at weekends in that area and parking can be a problem, so get there early (before 11). From the car park you can walk up to Derwent Dam and up the side of that on the right and then follow the hard surfaced track on the side of Derwent Reservoir. You can managed that in trainers, although it may be a bit muddy. All the way round is a good long walk. Anywhere on the open moor is very wet and you'll need walking boots, but if you're a keen walker you'll know that and will have all the gear and maps etc. It'll probably rain. You're probably okay to go during lockdown as it's 'fairly local' and easy to follow social distancing. Langsett's another option.

 

Thankyou for the advice folks.

 

8 mile walk.via Derwent Dam.and Ladybower reservoir accomplished.

 

Great views from the top of Back Tor (513 metres)

Fairholme carpark and the roads up to up were chock full but luckily we found a spot.


3 1/2 hours of essential exercise which was also good for the mental health.

 

Great photos.

 

Cakes of bread has to be my favourite name for a rock formation.

 

Looks like you followed the ridge on my map on the first page, some brilliant views. I took my little lad when he was 6 on a walk following that ridge ended up doing a circular of 10 miles, incredible at that age.

 

Nice one mate