Peak District - Derwent Edge(Collins Peak District Walk#27)
10 Miles, 5 Hours
The journey from Cleethorpes to the Derwent Reservoir took around 1hr 40 mins. We arrived around 10:15 at the Fairholmes car park which was already beginning to get busy on this clear, bright Saturday morning.
Parking was £4 for the day, and there were good facilities including hot snacks and drinks available from a kiosk as well as loos.
The temperature was fairly mild for late October, but we wrapped up nontheless as it would be much colder at 1800ft up on the edge.
We left the car park at 10:30 armed with packed luches and hot tomato soup in flasks on our packs.
We saw the Derwent reservoir dam wall ahead and climbed the many steps to the top and the good wide track meandering along the edge of the reservoir itself. It was quite busy with both walkers and mountain bikers, but was pleasant walking the flat path for about 2 miles. This was a contrast to August when we attempted this same walk but turned around after 2 miles in pouring rain rather than pressing on to higher areas in the pouring rain. today, however, there were no such problems.
The dam and reservoirs (Derwent & adjacent Ladybower) were built by the Derwent Valley water board so supply water to the cities of Derby,Nottingham, Leicester and Sheffield. The Derwent was completed in 1916 and was used for trainnig runs by the famous 617 squadron "The Dambusters" in 1943, as these were close models to the intended targets in Germany.
The tree foliage was illuminated by the low, weak rays of the October sun, defining the many hues of browns and even red shades of the late autumn, nearly winter leaves.
At Abbey Tip Plantation we followed a well defined rocky track and a sign post right along an ascending shooters track and into the heart of the moors. This ascended for well over a mile or more and the views back were good on this clear day, giving good excuse to stop often and admire these views. The track turned right and we stopped briefly for some food here before pressing on.
At Sheepfold Clough the moor opend out and became more boggy. The view was quite desolate, but in the distance we could see the cairn of "Lost Lad", and a little further the defined rocky edge of Derwent Edge.
Once past the cairn of Lost Lad, the rough track became a rough paved path all the way to the edge itself. The ground was very boggy and without the paving going could be very difficult.
The view from here was even more spectacular as the day was so clear and bright. We could see the power stations of Thorpe Marsh, Drax, Eggborough and Ferrybridge in the distance, and they did not look to be so far away in these clear conditions. The name "Lost Lad" at this 1700ft viewpoint comes from the tale of a young sheperd boy who was lost on these moors while gathering sheep on a snowy winters day. His frozen body was not found until the following spring and the words "Lost Lad" were scratched into an adjacent rock by the desperate boy.
The approach to Derwent edge can be seen below and the walkers already up on the edge.
We reached the summit of the edge at Back Tor (1,765ft) and paused to admire the view around and back down the path that we had followed below.
Along the edge are the eroded remains of slightly harder gritstone all formed in intriguing shapes with names such as "Salt Cellar" and "Cakes of Bread".
The route along the edge itself is a reasonably flat and defined track (though not paved as the approach). After the ascending paths up, there were now several miles of fairly flat paths and fantastic views down from the edge to the reservoirs. We paused for food and hot soup, but soon moved on as it was much colder at this elevation.
The sound of the Grouse was all around, and the picture above shows one of these birds in a braver position than most, allowing myself and other walkers to approach quite close for photographs.
We turned at a cross roads almost 180 degrees and followed a path descending down from the edge heading towards Ladybower Reservoir. This we followed for about a mile or so, turning left across more open areas and eventually alighting at a narrow roadway.
The last mile back took us along this roadway close to the edge of Ladybower reservoir, before widening (and getting much busier with walkers and families out for shorter walks with dogs/kids). We saw the Derwent dam once more in front of us before turnnig left and back to Fairholmes car park. We arrived back at 15:30
All in all an excellent walk, with a steady start along the reservoir shore apth for 2 miles, before the exertion of the climb up to Lost Lad, Derwent Edge. Then levelling again for the splendid views and unique rock formations of Derwent Edge. The desent is not too bad, fairly steady mostly, and about 2 miles on the level back to the car park.
Our Walk Score: 8/10
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