How to complete the Alport Castles Walk Peak District from Fairholmes
The Alport Castles walk a circular route in Alport Dale in the Upper Derwent Valley. It is one of the best Peak District National Park walks due to the rugged landscape and remoteness of the area. Alport Castles is found north of Snake Pass (A57 Snake Road) and is part of the High Peak Estate owned and maintained by the National Trust.
Arguably, Alport Castles is the largest landslide in the UK as it is over 0.5 miles long. It is known as one of the most important landslips in Britain and has been selected for geographical conservation. It is in the Dark Peaks, and the walk takes you to the ‘castles in the air’.
These castles are the gritstone mounds that resemble castles, and seeing the giant mound, the castles tower, is the highlight of the Alport Castles walk. Many argue that it looks like a motte and bailey castle. What do you think? From a distance, we agree, and it is a spectacular sight to see.
Below the site on the River Alport lies Alport Castles Farm. This is the farm where the suffragette Hannah Mitchell was born.
The route we suggest begins from Fairholmes Visitor Centre, ascends through a forest before walking along the edge to Alport Castles. You will then return hiking through the magnificent sides of the valley along the spectacular River Alport.
It is good to know that the rocks are unsteady, and it is recommended that you do not climb them, but many people do… so proceed with caution if you want to scramble.
Take extra care in the area anyway because the rocks are unstable, and the large boulders can be troublesome.
Alport Castles Walk Key Information
Alport Castles Walk Distance: 14km
Time: 4-5 hours depending on speed, stops and level of fitness
Elevation Gain: 638m
Alport Castles Walk Route Type: circular
Ordnance Survey Map: OL1 – Peak District (Dark Peak Area)
How was Alport Castles formed?
The 300 million-year-old Peak District was part of an ancient delta of a river which flowed into the ocean.
The most valuable material travelled the longest distance and was then deposited in the ocean’s deep with black shales.
Additional deposits were deposited along the slopes of the oceans and sank and formed the formation of turbidite deposits. The turbidite flow continued to erode into the previous ones, creating the form of the deposit (gritstone) on the site of Alport Castle.
Within the Peak District, coarse material is the stone that covers high points, preventing the tops from degradation.
The reason for the landslide is still up for debate. One theory is that soft shales beneath are too fragile to support the force of heavier sandstone above them and fall under it.
Another possibility is that since water can flow through gritstone but not through shale rock, the trapped water could be able to have “lubricated” it to the point that one layer was able to slide over another and caused the slide.
Another possibility is that the valley glacier steepened the sides of the valley and created unstable slopes which did not hold up after melting the glacier and caused the landslide.
Alport Castle Walk Car Park
You can park at the Fairholmes Car Park, Upper Derwent Visitor Centre, Hope Valley.
Alport Castles Walk Parking Postcode: S33 0AQ.
It is a paid car park with the following charges:
Up to 2 hours – £3
All-day parking – £5
You can pay with both card payments and coins.
Additionally, there is free parking along the road in the laybys. However, to get one of the free spots, you will have to make sure you’re early! For example, we could not get a free spot at 9 am last time!
The money from the car park, goes to maintaining this beautiful area, so we don’t mind paying here, as we understand it goes to look after this beautiful spot.
Alport Castles Walk Weather
Weather can change suddenly in the Peak District. It might not be when you begin climbing if it is clear and calm near the car park. Take layers and raincoats and plan.
You will be very exposed when you walk along the edge, and the wind can pick up. Dress appropriately and check the forecast. It would not be a nice spot to be if there was a heavy downpour.
Check the Met Office weather before you go.
Alport Castle Walk Top Tips
- If you do not have a car, you can reach the walk from Bamford Train station and then bus 273 that stops near the car park.
- There are toilets and a cafe at the visitor centre — also a water refilling station and recycling. There are no facilities on the route, so take advantage before you set off.
- Take a map and a compass and do not rely only on these instructions because things change and weather changes.
- Remember to wear walking boots as this route can be boggy.
- Take snacks and water with you and then take all your litter and leave no trace so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful Peak District National Park and this outstanding Alport Castles walk.
- There are numerous styles on this walk, so keep that in mind if you plan to bring your dog. We did see a few enjoying this route.
- The terrain changes a lot on this walk, from gravel to grass, to large boulders and stone pavements.
- You might be able to spot peregrine falcons and ravens in this area.
Alport Castles Walk From Fairholmes Directions
We have split the Alport Castles circular walk up into six easy stages to follow. However, we strongly believe that you should use the guidance below as well as taking your own map!
We have also stated the distance between the two places!
Stage 1 – Fairholmes Car Park to Lockerbrook Farm
Distance: 1.5km
Leave from Fairholmes car park, turn left up towards the road next to Ladybower Reservoir, take the right Lockerbrook signpost, and walk up through the trees. When you meet the tarmac path, turn left to continue uphill.
Keep following the directions for Lockerbrook Farm and turn left at the sign up the path through the trees. This path snakes up through the trees and eventually comes to a wooden fence. Go through and continue across the field through another wooden gate and turn left.
Stage 2: From Lockerbrook Farm Outdoor centre to Rowlee Pasture
Distance: 1km
Go past the outdoor centre and continue upon the gravel road. Watch out for mountain bikers zooming past.
Before reaching the wooden gate on your left and the crossroads, take a right turn that heads uphill on a grassy path. You will return to this crossroads on your way back later!
Cross over the wooden bridge ladder stile and take a left to follow the stone wall uphill. Continue walking uphill next to have the stone wall on your left. Go through the gate and turn left, where you will see the National Trust sign for Rowlee Pasture.
Stage 3 – Rowlee Pasture to Alport castles
Distance: 3.5km
Continue along the path in front of you. It is obvious, and you will be exposed to the elements here. Keep going! The track will eventually come to some stone pavements, follow this and continue along the broken wall. Finally, you will see the castles in the distance, turn left and follow the direction of the castles through the old stones in the Alport Valley.
It is an extremely impressive sight, so ensure you spend plenty of time here, enjoy the view, and take pictures from all angles! It is a Peak District beauty!
Stage 4 – Alport castles to Snake Road
Distance: 3.6km
After you’ve finished exploring, begin to retrace your steps but instead of going all the way uphill, take a left and head down a grassy path.
Turn right and go over the stile and then follow the path to go over another one. Keep going downhill. You will be able to see the buildings in front of you to your right.
The path will zigzag down, and then you will have to cross over a wooden bridge by the river. Turn right and go slightly uphill over the sty. Go across the field and go through the wooden gate. The buildings will be on your right. From here, through the wooden gate and then take a left through the larger gate, following a slightly uphill gravel track.
Continue down the track as it curves in the direction of Snake Road. There’s a signpost to Snake Pass and Alport Bridge on your left. Follow the path down and go over the stile and over the wall to reach the road.
Stage 5 – Snake Road to Rowlee Farm
Distance: 1.4km
Cross over the road carefully and continue along the track. Cross the bridge and follow the grassy path as it curves slightly uphill. Go through the gate, and you will see the National Trust’s sign for Blackley Hey.
Continue along the path until you get to the crossroads and go left downhill. Go through the metal gate, across the bridge and over the river — head past the buildings and up towards the road.
Cross the road again and continue straight in the direction of Rowlee Farm.
Stage 6 – Rowlee Farm to Fairholmes Car Park
Distance: 2.5km
Walk uphill through the farm. Go through the wooden gate with the sign Woodcraft Folk Lockerbrook Farm. Walk up the gravel path as it curves uphill. Go through the wooden gate and continue up!
You will now reach the point where you began. This time head right over the stile, following the signpost in the direction of Fairholmes. Then, again, go through the trees and follow the natural path down through the forest.
At the fork, take a left and go downhill towards the road. At the road, turn left, and you will reach Fairholmes Car Park.
Alport Castles Walk from Fairholmes complete! Well done!
After your Alport Castles Walk
We recommend taking a very short detour to Derwent Dam from Fairholmes Car Park. They are a magnificent site that require little effort to see (unless you are tired from your Alport Castles walk).
In the Second World War, the two Derwent Dams were used as training flights by the 617 Squadron which was referred to by the name “the Dam Busters”.
They were selected because they were close to dams used for a target located in the Ruhr Valley in Germany. The Derwent Dams were then used later as the background for the film The Dam Busters.
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