Starter Walk Ladybower Upper Derwent Valley, Fairholmes, Lockerbrook and Crook Hill from Ashopton Viaduct
Updated version of this walk is available at GoPeakWalking.co.uk
6.38 Miles (10.27km)
Total Climb: 183m /600ft
Time: 2.5 hours
OS Map: OL1 (The Peak District - Dark Peak Area)
View and print this walking route on the Ordnance Survey Getamap website
Superb starter walk - I say this for good reason. As a late convert to the joys of walking and seeking to improve my general fitness without over-exertion this was the walking route that I first took. With a moderate climb, steep enough to catch the breath of a non-seasoned walker and instil an air of real achievement at the top, the route offers beautiful views over the Upper Derwent Valley, Ladybower reservoir and the Ashopton Viaduct - passing over the now extinct village of Ashopton that was flooded to make way for the reservoir in the early 1940s.
PARKING:
Parking on a weekend or a bank holiday is at a premium in this particularly popular area. The walk text starts from the roadside (free) car parking on the A57 beside the Ladybower reservoir on the left hand side of the road heading west out of Sheffield, just past the Ladybower inn, after the traffic light junction which branches off to Bamford. If as often happens, the parking is full, take a right into the Upper Derwent Valley and park in the nearest available car park, easily picking up the route from your parking spot. Parking remains free until you reach the Fairholmes car park which is a pay and display, but does have the advantage of a small cafe, shop and toilet facilities.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
Bus Service 273/274 from Sheffield serve Ladybower but very infrequently, it is worth checking timetables and planning carefully as you may be in for a long wait if you miss a return bus. For walkers willing to add a few extra miles, Bus Service 272 serves Bamford railway station, walking from Bamford railway station to Ashopton viaduct is however an additional 3 miles each way so doubles the length of the walk.
Park on the approach to Ashopton Viaduct and head West towards the Upper Derwent Valley. Just before the viaduct, cross the road carefully and continue alongside the A57 over the bridge, turning right at the Upper Derwent Valley road, through a handgate and following the easy going trail which drops down towards the banks of the Ladybower reservoir then follows a clear wooded path just above the banks
Keep following this trail which is clearly signposted, until you reach the exit road of the Fairholmes picnic area and car park.
Alternatively join the walk at any point along this section of the route where parking is available - follow the road north from your parking spot until you reach either Fairholmes or an access point to the trail beside Ladybower.
A few metres before you reach the car park exit road, turn left and pass through a gate and a sign pointing to Lockerbrook. You will note a green arrow alongside red and black arrows indicating a waymarked route. For the first half of the walk you will be following the green arrows.
Follow this path as it ascends through a wood and emerges at a forest track. Keep following the green waymark arrows going left along the track then after a right hand bend, turning left back into trees
Stay on this route, still following the green waymarks, and finally emerge at a track near Lockerbrook farm. Turn left and walk down past the old farm.
After the old farm, the track bears left then right. Continue along the track to the ridge and a path junction with a clear path heading right, a wider track heading downhill, and a narrower footpath bearing left along the top of the Hagg Side woods.
Take the left path which once again is marked with a green waymark arrow and continue along this bridleway which becomes multiple narrow tracks until you reach a stile to your left and a gate heading straight on/slightly right.
This is where you leave the waymarked route which heads back down to the reservoir, and instead continue along the top bridleway, following the top of the woods. Eventually the woods drop away to your left - continue along towards the twin tors of Crook Hill which you may choose to explore as they are on access land and provide a stunning view on a clear day.
To continue the walk, keep following the bridleway which is mostly clear - although it gets briefly feint in places it is easy to follow and eventually comes to a gate and a farm track. Shortly after the beginning of the track, just before you reach the working Crook Hill Farm you will come to a gate to your left and a signpost giving directions to avoid passing through the farm.
Although there is a right of way through the farm there is no benefit to be gained from following it, so instead follow the signpost instructions.
Pass through the gate on your left and head diagonally right across the field to the gate that is visible in the far corner. This emerges on a lane with another gate immediately opposite. Go through this gate, around the side of the barn and look for the gate in the wall slightly to the right.
The clear footpath continues to drop diagonally through fields heading directly to the main A57 and the Ashopton Viaduct.
Near to the bottom of the hill the path turns slightly left to head steeply downhill by the side of hedgerows to a gate near the end of the Upper Derwent Valley road.
If you parked on the A57 before the viaduct: Turn right and follow the path along the main road over the viaduct back to your car.
If you parked along the Upper Derwent Valley road or Fairholmes Visitor Centre: Turn right and walk a few yards along the road towards the A57, until you reach a cattle grid and a handgate on your left. Go left through the gate and follow the clear path running alongside the reservoir.
NOTE: If parking down the Upper Derwent Valley road, it is a good idea to look out for the war memorial about half-way down the road to Fairholmes, as this memorial is also visible from the path, which will give an indication of how far you need to follow the path, and save you from walking too far towards the Visitor Centre
