Derwent Edge Walk from the Fairholmes Visitor Centre
The Derwent Edge walk in the upper Derwent Valley is easily one of the best Peak District walks. We have put together an exciting guide to a Derwent Edge Circular walk that includes everything you need to know to complete the hike. Including parking information, walk details, top tips and walking directions.
This route has everything that you could want from a hike, the history of the lost village of Derwent and the Derwent Dam, and many incredible gritstone tors, including Salt Cellar Rock and Wheel Stones.
There are also indescribable views from the top of Win Hill, Kinder Scout and Ladybower Viaduct (if it’s a clear day).
What’s more, the path at the top has been well-made and maintained to help stop erosion so that it is much easier to complete this walk than you might expect. It is also a popular route for mountain bikers, so be mindful of this as you are walking. It is an extraordinary sight to see them going up or downhill.
There are no stiles on this walk, but many gates, steep inclines and uneven surfaces can make this walk challenging, especially if you are unprepared. The ridge is also highly exposed, so carry a map, stick to the paths and be ready in case of the visibility changes suddenly. The National Trust advises people to stick to the trails, as you could disturb breeding birds!
Derwent Edge Walk Details
Route distance: 13km / 8 miles
Hiking Time: 3.5 – 4.5 hours
Elevation Gain: 504m
Trig Point: Back Tor
Highest Point: 538m
Route type: Derwent Edge Circular Walk
Derwent Edge Parking Options
Derwent Edge Postcode: S33 0AQ
Fairholmes Visitor Centre Car Park, also known as the Derwent Dam car park, is between Ladybower and Derwent Reservoir. It is a large car park, but very busy, so we recommended getting there early, especially during school holidays and weekends.
There are toilets, an information centre, a bicycle renting shop and a cafe kiosk selling hot food and hot drinks. There are also picnic benches, a water bottle refill station. There are no facilities once the walk begins, but it is convenient for the start and end of a walk.
It costs £3 for 2 hours and £5 for all-day parking. Disabled parking is free, and there are some wheelchair accessible paths around the area. The money you pay will go towards maintaining the beauty of the area. You can pay by both card and coins.
Alternatively, there is free parking in the laybys along the road on the way to Fairholmes Visitor Centre.
Some of the laybys on the road to the Visitor Centre are free to park in, but you will need to be lucky to get a spot.
Tip: if you do not want to drive, a bus drops you off near the Visitor Centre from Bamford Station, which is Number 273.
Top Tips for a walk along Derwent Edge
- Remember to take a map with you. The map for this area is the Ordnance Survey Map OL1 (Dark Peak Area). Alternatively, you can download a map from All Trails but do not rely on phone signals.
- Check the direction of the wind, as you could decide to do the route anticlockwise or clockwise to avoid walking into the wind. There will be times when you cannot prevent it, though. It is a different climate up there.
- Check the Met Office Weather for Derwent Valley before you go.
- Wear suitable shoes, and it can be boggy in a couple of spots at the top, even on the well-made paths, as some of the pavings have sunk.
- Take waterproof clothing, you are exposed on the ridge, and it is not uncommon for rainfall. The walk would be unpleasant in heavy rain.
- The best time to go is during the heather season, in the late summer, as the area is glorious at this time.
- Take food and snacks with you. You can buy some at the Visitor Centre car park. Remember to leave no trace and take all litter home with you or recycle at the Visitor Centre facilities.
Salt Cellar Derwent Edge
The majestic Salt Cellar Boulder stands on Derwent Edge, high above Ladybower Reservoir. It is among the many interesting points on the Derwent Edge walk and is often used in photographs about the area.
It is gritstone, and is it is part of the long-ridge of stone referred to in geologists in the field as The Chatsworth Grit that runs across the eastern side of the Peak District. The areas include Stanage Edge, Millstone Edge as well as Curbar Edge, which are all the same kind of stone.
The Salt Cellar Derwent Edge was created when the area was part of an enormous delta of the river. Grit was washed downstream the river by mountains further north and was deposited over an extensive area.
There were often layers of mud that were dumped, and these will form softer rock. After exposure to the elements in the later times, the softer deposits have become eroded, and the layers can be seen within the Salt Cellar Derwent Edge.
Salt Cellar Derwent Edge is named this way because many believe that its shape resembles an salt pot. Do you see it? What do you think?
Derwent Dam
Another fantastic point of interest on the Derwent Edge walk is Derwent Dam, which you will see at the start of your walk.
The Derwent Dam is a concrete gravity dam and is part of the Ladybower Reservoir, which was constructed in the 1940s to provide a reliable water supply for some of the surrounding cities and areas. Therfore, Derwent Dam is an important piece of local history and engineering.
It was constructed as part of the Ladybower Reservoir project, which involved the flooding of two villages, Ashopton and Derwent. The project is remembered through a number of heritage features, including a memorial stone and a series of information panels.
The Derwent Dam is a popular tourist attraction and offers a range of activities for visitors, including walking, cycling, and picnicking.
Derwent Edge Walk Directions
Derwent Edge Start grid reference: SK 17315 89330
Step 1: Fairholmes to Wheel Stones
Begin at the Fairholmes Visitor Centre, turn right and head along the road towards Derwent Dam. Continue along the road as it curves slightly uphill through the trees towards the far side of Ladybower Reservoir.
Be sure not to take any turns for roughly 30-minutes (2.2km). Therefore, you will walk past the iconic red phone box, the cute houses and the path will slowly go downhill and curve around the Reservoir. Cross over the bridge, and read the information about the lost village of Derwent.
The villages of Derwent and Ashopton were flooded for the reservoirs, and if the water levels are not too high, you will be able to see the village’s buildings. It is not a myth. After years of coming here, we finally saw something in October 2021.
After 400m, you will see a wooden gate and a green sign. Follow the direction to Moscar and begin to climb uphill on the stone pavings.
You will leave Ladybower Reservoir behind you and go through some gates and past some farm buildings, where there is the option to rest on some benches or shelter if you need to.
The path then goes over a stream and curves towards some trees. The track is stony but very easy to follow, keep heading uphill and walk between the ferns.
You should be able to see Salt Cellar Derwent Edge Rock formations in front of you. Keep heading up through the metal gates, following the green signs to Moscar. Almost immediately after the sign, follow the yellow arrow and go uphill towards the ridge.
Step 2: Wheel Stones to Back Tor Trig Point
From here, take the left-hand path and head northwards on the ridge in the direction of Wheel Stones (also known as Coach and Horses, as seen from the A57), which you should be able to see from a distance. You will go past these rocks, up the rocky steps to White Tor.
Shortly after, you will see an impressive rock formation – the Salt Cellar Derwent Edge Rock, which offers remarkable views of the Reservoir. It is incredible to think of how long these rocks have been here, making them all the more exciting.
Continue along the well-made path to Derwent Edge, where you will be greeted with a National Trust sign indicating your arrival and a sign about the Red Grouse that lives in the area. If you listen carefully, you should be able to hear them. The path is well made and avoids most of the bog, and it will guide you to the trig point (roughly 7.8km into the walk).
Step 3: Back Tor Trig to Fairholmes
After, go down from the trig from Back Tor to Lost Lad, one of the Peak District’s best viewpoints on a clear day. Then continue downhill, heading back towards Derwent Reservoir and take a right at the fork.
Go through the wooden gate and go downhill towards the trees below. Walk next to the mossy stone wall, through the wooden gate and down through more trees. You will shortly arrive at Derwent Reservoir.
At the bottom, turn left to walk next to the Reservoir in the direction of Derwent Dam.
Go through the wooden gate, and go down the steps (be sure to read all about the Dam’s history here) and then retrace your steps back up through the trees and tarmac road, where you have arrived back at the Visitor Centre. If it has been raining, you will be in for a beautiful surprise as the Dam will overflow.
Derwent Edge Walk Complete! Well done!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Derwent Edge Walk
What are the options to extend the Derwent Edge walk?
You can walk around Ladybower Reservoir (5 miles) or around Derwent Reservoir to extend the walk.
Can you shorten the Derwent Edge route?
Yes, you can head straight up to Derwent Edge following our route backwards and then return the same way. It will be steep, though!
How long does the Derwent Edge walk take?
The walk will likely take between 3 and a half hours to 4 and a half hours. It will depend on speed, weather conditions and how many times you stop to rest, admire the views or climb the rocks (where it is safe).
Is the Derwent Edge walk dog-friendly?
Yes, the Derwent Edge walk is dog friendly. There are no stiles to cross. But, remember, you should keep dogs on leads because of livestock and ground-nesting birds.
Is there anywhere to eat nearby?
Yes, you can eat at the kiosk in the Fairholmes Car Park, at the Ladybower Inn, the Yorkshire Bridge Inn and the Ladybower Cafe. If you do not mind going slightly further, there is a cafe at the Bamford Garden centre which we love and went to before we did this walk.
If you’re looking for other walks in the Peak District National Park, we also recommend:
We only recommend things that we have personally tried and love using on our travels and hikes.
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Photo Credits: averagelives.com
We want to stress that ‘Average Lives’ cannot be held liable for any injuries or accidents that may occur while walking our routes. We strongly advise that you wear proper footwear to reduce the risk of injuries, and carry a paper map and compass to ensure your safety while walking. You can read more on our About Page.