Ladybower Reservoir Walk via Derwent Edge – A Complete Guide

If you’re looking for an adventurous Ladybower Reservoir walk, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I share the details of a fun circular walk of Derwent Edge and Ladybower Reservoir, as well as all the essential info you’ll need before visiting.

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Ladybower Reservoir Walk at a Glance

Ladybower Reservoir Walk FAQs

How to Get There

Ladybower Reservoir is located in the Upper Derwent Valley, close to Bamford Village, just off the A57, more commonly known as Snake Pass.

There is plenty of parking around Ladybower Reservoir, but many car parks charge a fee. You can avoid that by parking at Cutthroat Bridge Layby, where the trail for this Ladybower Reservoir walk begins.

Best Time to Visit

Considered one of the top things to do in the Peak District, Ladybower Reservoir can get extremely busy. Regardless of when you visit, you are unlikely to be alone at this popular beauty spot.

Thankfully, my walking route is designed to take you away from the bulk of the crowds. You’ll still encounter the odd person higher up, but it gets noticeably more busy on the ground-level trails.

Ladybower Reservoir Circular Walk Map

Ladybower Reservoir Walk Difficulty

I have classified this walking route as moderate in difficulty. You have the length of the hike, which is 12.5 km and the incline, which is 400 m, so you’ll need to be in reasonable shape.

The terrain includes some rocky, uneven paths on the higher trails, a few boggy sections, and some overgrown fern trees. However, there is nothing too tricky or technical to worry about.

There are plenty of opportunities for those looking to up the intensity of their walk. You can include Bamford Edge or join the iconic Stanage Edge Ridge, where you can check out Robin Hood’s Cave.

Other Things Worth Knowing

Dogs: This Ladybower Reservoir walking trail is dog-friendly.

Kids: This route is not suitable for young kids. However, they can enjoy the ground-level trail.

Pushchair/Wheelchair Access: This route is not accessible with a pushchair or wheelchair, but the ground-level trail is.

Footwear: Supportive footwear with a good grip is a hiking essential for this walk.

Weather: The weather can change quickly in the hills. Be prepared for all the seasons.

Facilities: There are pubs, toilets, picnic benches, and a visitor centre by Ladybower Reservoir.

Map: Have a map handy should you get lost or lose the trail. We use All Trails for this purpose.

Our Experience on this Ladybower Reservoir Walk

The trailhead begins directly by the layby I mentioned above. The first section of the walk is a bit uneventful so I wasn’t inspired to take any photos. I allowed myself to warm into the walk, gradually ascending our way into the hills.

Around the 2km mark, we got our first taste of an impressive view. The trail branches off into several directions with a view of Ladybower Reservoir up ahead. We took the trail on the right, following signs for Derwent Edge.

There’s no doubt that we could feel the pull in our legs, but it was a gradual incline and nothing too strenuous. After the challenging walk to Alport Castles the day before, I could feel the burn.

You’ll know when you’ve got to Derwent Edge when you see all the cool rock formations. Derwent Edge is one of many gritstone escarpments in the Peak District.

The views along this stretch are insane. Dense areas of forest surround Ladybower Reservoir, and rolling green hills sprawl into the distance.

There are plenty of opportunities to climb up onto the rocks along the edge. Many of them make for immense viewpoints and Instagrammable moments.

Now to join the ground-level trail. There is no clear path, but from the rock formation pictured above, a subtle worn track descends the edge.

The descent was quite steep in parts but nothing unmanageable. Look for boggy areas, as these can often catch you off guard.

You’ll know you’re on the right track when you come to the paths pictured below. Ladybower Reservoir is on your left-hand side. Follow it all the way to the bottom, where it will lead you to the water’s edge.

You’re on the main walking route of Ladybower Reservoir now. You’ll see what I mean about the path being well-surfaced and accessible to all. It leads you through enchanting woodland and allows beautiful views over the water.

The path eventually curves around to the left, and you will see the main road directly below you. You can stay on the trail, which undulates all the way back to the car park.

Enjoy this Scenic Walk of Ladybower Reservoir

I hope you enjoy this Ladybower Reservoir Walk as much as we did. If you’re visiting the area soon, you might find some of our Peak District articles helpful.

If you have any questions, please ask. Otherwise, I wish you happy and safe travels.

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