Derwent Reservoir and Alport Castles
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 9.02 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,152 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 1,152 ft
- Max elevation
- 1,611 ft
- TrailRank
- 52
- Min elevation
- 706 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 4 hours 45 minutes
- Coordinates
- 499
- Uploaded
- June 10, 2018
- Recorded
- May 2018
near Derwent, England (United Kingdom)
Viewed 1830 times, downloaded 91 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
This is a picturesque walk taking in in all three of the reservoirs in the Upper Derwent Valley and then across the moorlands and gritstone edges of the Peak District.
The walk can begin from any one of several chargeable car parks situated along the the water's edge. Enjoy the cool walk under the trees that line the quiet road alongside the reservoirs. You will pass the main car park with refreshments and toilets and get up close to the huge Derwent and Howden's Dam at the north and south end of Derwent Reservoirs.
During the Second World War the reservoir was used by pilots of the 617 Squadron for practicing the low-level flights needed for Operation Chastise (commonly known as the "Dam Busters" raids), due to its similarity to the German dams.
After a easy flat walk alongside the reservoir the route heads up the steeply to The Alport Castles. The Alport Castles are a landslip feature in the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire. At over half a mile long, it is thought to be the largest landslide in the United Kingdom. The name "castles" comes from the debris from the landslide, which has produced several gritstone mounds that tower over the valley and appear from the distance to look like castles. Viewed from a distance the largest of these, the "Tower", resembles a full-scale motte and bailey castle.
The walk concludes by descending through Rowlee Pasture and Hagg side back to Ladybower Reservoir.
The walk can begin from any one of several chargeable car parks situated along the the water's edge. Enjoy the cool walk under the trees that line the quiet road alongside the reservoirs. You will pass the main car park with refreshments and toilets and get up close to the huge Derwent and Howden's Dam at the north and south end of Derwent Reservoirs.
During the Second World War the reservoir was used by pilots of the 617 Squadron for practicing the low-level flights needed for Operation Chastise (commonly known as the "Dam Busters" raids), due to its similarity to the German dams.
After a easy flat walk alongside the reservoir the route heads up the steeply to The Alport Castles. The Alport Castles are a landslip feature in the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire. At over half a mile long, it is thought to be the largest landslide in the United Kingdom. The name "castles" comes from the debris from the landslide, which has produced several gritstone mounds that tower over the valley and appear from the distance to look like castles. Viewed from a distance the largest of these, the "Tower", resembles a full-scale motte and bailey castle.
The walk concludes by descending through Rowlee Pasture and Hagg side back to Ladybower Reservoir.
Waypoints
Waypoint
Car park
0 ft
Parking
This is a circular walk and there are several other places to park along this road. They are all chargable.
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