British Walking Federation

THE RESERVOIR RAMBLE ORGANISED BY THE BWF NATIONAL COMMITTEE

CONTACT: Roger Baker, 12 Burwood Grove, Hayling Island, Hampshire PO11 9DS
Tel: 02392 462005      E-mail: trails@bwf-ivv.org.uk

DISTANCE: 22km
ENTRY FEE: £1.00 per walker (Cheques payable to BWF)
AWARD: Cloth Badge at £2.00 each
ENTRY SYSTEM: Postal
START VENUE: Fairholmes Visitor Centre Car Park Derwent Valley. (Map 110 GR SK 172893)
COACH & CAR PARKING: At the start venue, and two free car parks 200metres away from start.
DIRECTIONS FROM NEAREST TOWN: From Sheffield take the A57 to Glossop at the junction with the A6013 to Bampton continue on A57 over the Ashopton viaduct and take the 1st lane right to Fairholmes
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: None available
TERRAIN: Roads, farmland, woods and moorland not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs
REFRESHMENTS: At the start and on the route.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION (Updated 13th December 2010)

Leave car park by vehicular exit road and take footpath almost directly opposite sign posted Forest Walk to Lockerbrook & Derwent Discovery Walk. After 50m at next sign, ahead to cross bridge and uphill on footpath signpost Lockerbrook Farm, passing Forestry Commission Concessionary Footpath sign on right. At gravel track turn left and after appx 200m turn left on green/black footpath to Lockerbrook after 300m turn right up steps signed concessionary footpath to Lockerbrook. Ahead on footpath uphill through gate and continue through field to second gate by wooden shed turn left on track with wall on left following green marker to reach Lockerbrook Farm.

Q1. On sign what is the phone No of Lockerbrook Farm?

Continue past farm on track round bend and uphill. After 400m at fork bear left on upper narrow path still following green marker, cross stile and ahead with fence and wood on left. After 1000m cross stile, cross track and another stile and continue in same direction with fence and wood on left, blue marker. Go through gate. As wood bears left, bear right to gate in wall and ahead across another field to gate, continuing downhill to a further gate with old signpost to Snake Pass and Crookhill Farm. Ahead on footpath, Crookhill Farm and Derwent Valley. The footpath then veers left and then right around Crook Hill following line of posts to join farm track, through gate and after 200m at finger post “Alternative Route” go left through gate and bear right downhill to gate at bottom of field. Cross farm track and through two more gates beside barn.
Follow waymark posts to gate in wall on right turn left through gate then left through adjacent gate. Ahead on footpath downhill towards viaduct through gate in corner of field and ahead towards telegraph pole, turn left after trees and follow fence on left to gate in corner of field.

Q2. On sign what is the National Trust Estate?

Turn right on lane and after 100m cross main road and turn left on path to cross Ashopten Viaduct, continue on path with Ladybower Reservoir on right passing telephone kiosk to post box.

Q3. What is the post box No next to the telephone box S…..?

Continue on path around bend to traffic lights, cross A6013 Bamford Road and ahead for 300m to reach Ladybower Inn. The pub serves tea, coffee, a range of ales and food so why not have a break before you take the next stage over the moors. Take the track uphill immediately to the right of the pub and after 50m at finger post turn left to go behind pub. Through gate and continue on footpath with wall on left to eventually go through another gate. Bear right and in 20m through gate sign post Whinstone Lee Tor, ahead between trees, then with wall and later fence on left continue on footpath following overhead cables. At end of wood continue uphill on track with wall on left and ahead uphill towards wire fence. Turn steeply uphill towards National Trust sign post. Take a breather here before the rugged moorland stage.
At this junction take the 2nd path left continuing uphill over rocks and along rock strewn ridge for 1000m to signpost on left.

Q4. How old was Anne Dean?

Continue along the wild moorland Derwent Edge for 3500m passing the majestic rocky outcrops of Wheel Stones, White Tor, Salt Cellar, Doveston Tor, and Cakes of Bread to finally reach the trig point at the top of Back Tor. Bear left on slabbed path to reach the view indicator at top of Lost Lad.

Q5. On the view indicator what feature is due north?

Continue on slabbed path downhill which later becomes quite narrow and steep continue on path and after 200m at fork bear left on wide grassy track, and continue for a further 700m. At fork go right to cross stile on footpath sign post Derwent Reservoir and ahead with remains of wall on right. Just before next wall turn left, yellow arrow, and go downhill with wall on right to reach signpost with details on back.

Q6. On the back of sign what is the PNFS No?

At this signpost turn right, signed Howdens Reservoir on path down hill, and continue with wall and old ruins on left until Howdens Dam comes into view in front of you. Continue on steep narrow path passing Abbey Grange sign to gate in wall, turn right on path through wood to gravel track. Turn left on track with reservoir on right to Derwent Dam. Just before dam wall go through kissing gate on right and follow path to dam, turn right down steps with the impressive dam on right. Bear left across grassy area and follow path to reach lane. Turn right on tarmac lane to reach car park and finish.

When you have completed this trail please use the Permanent Trail Entry Form

The organisers are not liable for accidents, thefts and/or damage to property. Every effort will be made by the organisers to make this a safe, enjoyable and memorable event.

This trail is registered until 31 December 2012.