Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The ride
This is the circuit of the two upper reservoirs of the Derwent valley, from the visitor centre at Fairholmes below Derwent Dam. A road runs up the west shore of Derwent and Howden reservoirs, round the long Westend arm, to its end at King's Tree. A track carries on to the old packhorse bridge at Slippery Stones, and a rougher stone track returns down the east shore past Howden Dam and Derwent Dam, where the Dambusters practised in 1943.
It is 17.3 km (10.7 miles) round with 130 m of climbing; allow about 1¼ hours of riding. The grade is Easy. The first half is tarmac; the east side is stone of varying quality, with some short climbs and two steep descents signed for cyclists. It suits mountain bikes and hybrids, and children used to rough tracks; road bikes and trailers are better kept to the west side.
The road north of Fairholmes is closed to cars every Sunday, and on Saturdays and bank holidays from Easter to the end of October. On other days you share it with a little traffic as far as King's Tree. There is no mobile signal in the valley.
Fairholmes has a pay-and-display car park, the national park's cycle hire, a refreshment kiosk and toilets.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Round Derwent and Howden reservoirs, whose dams were finished in 1916 and 1912; the Dambusters trained here in 1943
- Tarmac road up the west side, rougher stone track back down the east, with two steep descents signed for cyclists
- The road north of Fairholmes is closed to cars on Sundays, and on Saturdays and bank holidays from Easter to the end of October; on other days you share it
- Cycle hire, a kiosk and toilets at Fairholmes; no mobile signal in the valley
Getting there
Start: Fairholmes · Pay and display. 53.40056, -1.74133
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Peak District: Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths and roads change, and surfaces vary with the weather. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; ride to what you find, give way to walkers and horses, and carry what you need to mend a puncture.
