🥾 Walking route
Derwent Valley and Reservoir Walk,
Derbyshire
- 📏 6.2 km · 3.8 mi
- ⛰ +323 m
- ⏱ 2 hr
- 🐕 On lead
Walk stats
- Distance6.2 km · 3.8 mi
- Elevation+323 m
- Duration2 hr
- DifficultyModerate
- Route typeCircular
- TerrainWoodland tracks, moorland paths and reservoir-side trails; one sustained climb
- Best seasonSpring to autumn
- DogsDog-friendly on leads (sheep and open water)
About this walk
This circular route in the Upper Derwent Valley combines quiet reservoir scenery with a rewarding climb onto open moorland. Setting out through the conifers of Shireowlers South Plantation, the path rises steadily towards the gritstone edge, where the East Tower of the Derwent Dam comes into view above the water.
Higher up, the walk passes waypoints known locally as Mole and the tumbling stream of Mill Brook, before descending through Walker's Clough back towards the valley floor. There are wide views across Derwent Reservoir and, on clear days, out towards the summit of Pike Low on the moors beyond.
Along the way you can pause at the Monument to the Dambusters, a reminder of the reservoir's role in wartime training, and the small memorial to Tip the Faithful Sheepdog. The final stretch follows the River Derwent, an easy finish after the earlier ascent of 323 metres.
Route map
Route line drawn from OpenStreetMap footpath data. Numbered markers are waypoints on the route; amber star markers are points of interest a short detour away.
Waypoints along the route
5 waypoints along the way
- 1
Shireowlers South Plantation
- 2
East Tower
- 3
Mole
- 4
Mill Brook
- 5
Walker's Clough
Worth a short detour
Points of interest just off the route, look for the amber markers on the map.
Pike Low
~238 m off the route
Monument to the Dambusters
~358 m off the route
Tip the Faithful Sheepdog
~373 m off the route
River Derwent
~371 m off the route
Derwent Reservoir
~447 m off the route
Route & waypoint data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).