Derwent Edge Walk Guide: With Map

Yesterday I moved to Yorkshire, and today I went to Derwent Edge in the Peak District, for my first walk….

In this guide, I’m going to give you an overview on what to expect on the Derwent Edge walk, followed by the full logistics, a map, and useful tips. Then I will give a step by step description of the walk, with photos, showing the route.

What was the Derwent Edge walk like?

It was wonderful (except when it rained…..And except the end). It feels like ages since I have been out hiking, and my legs definitely felt it by the end.

I followed a route which took me up and along Derwent Edge, passing by lots of tors, with a fantastic view down to the Ladybower and Derwent Reservoirs, before walking down and along the reservoir and back to the start.

Read more: Ladybower Reservoir walk

Looking down to the reservoir in the valley, when walking along Derwent Edge.

Two rock tors next to the stone paved path on the walk along Derwent Edge.

Looking across the hills and down into the valley on a misty day, on the Derwent Edge walk.

The terrain is a mix of dirt, lots of rocks, some mud, and a bit of grass. It was very windy up there, and the rain also decided to make an appearance. At that point, it wasn’t so fun. But I soldiered on.

A muddy path of ground with a stone paved path on the other side, leading through some rocks when walking along Derwent Edge.

How hard is the Derwent Edge walk?

I would say it’s a moderate, fairly hilly walk. Firstly, the walk up to Derwent Edge, which is more of a gradual incline, then there are some undulations when up there, on a well laid out trail.

A trail snaking along the top of Derwent Edge, leading to a tor ahead. There is a view down to the valley to the left. — Most of the trail along Derwent Edge looks like this

After reaching Back Tor, it’s downhill to get to the reservoir, first quite gentle, then steep for the final bit.

The walk alongside the reservoir is very easy, on a well laid out path. At that point, it feels like the walk is mostly over…but it’s not. After the reservoir, to get back to the start, there are some surprise hills. I found these ones the toughest. Partly because I wasn’t expecting them, partly because by that point, I was tired and hungry (I will get to that later)

If you like rocks with reservoir views, then you must check out the Trinnacle Trail. It’s a really unique rocky outcrop, looking above the Dovestone Reservoir.

How long is the Derwent Edge walk?

The circular Derwent Edge walk is 10.5 miles. If you want to shorten the walk , you can skip out the reservoir, and just turn back once you reach Back Tor, and go back the way you came along Derwent Edge. That would make the walk 7.5 miles.

Where do you park to walk up Derwent Edge?

There is a free car park next to the main road (A57). It’s called Cutthroat Bridge car park, and is located just before you reach Derwent and Ladybower Reservoirs on the east side.

Are dogs allowed on Derwent Edge?

Absolutely. I saw a few people and their dogs walking along Derwent Edge. There are signs about though, warning to keep dogs on leads. There is some livestock about, although I didn’t see any until I came off Derwent Edge and walked in the moors below it.

A sign on a wooden stick sating 'public footpath'.

A stoney trail with a sheep standing on it, and a view to the valley and reservoir ahead, on a misty day.

Logistics

Start/Finish: Cutthroat Bridge car park, Peak District National Park – See map below for exact location.
Public Transport: Yes. The number 257 bus will get you here. It runs between Sheffield and Hope. You can start the walk by getting off at Cutthroat Bridge, which is right next to there parking.
Distance: 10.5 miles
Time: 3h40min
Difficulty: Moderate. Easy walk along Derwent Edge. Moderate due to the length of the walk and the hills later on.

Terrain: Dirt, mud, rocks, grass, paved stones.
Amenities: Nothing other than the car park
Dog friendly: Dogs are allowed, under control. Some livestock about. No stiles when walking along Derwent Edge. Two stiles later on. One of them is designed to lift up so dogs can get through. The other one is short.
Time of year: I walked it in winter

Map for the Derwent Edge circular walk

You can find my more detailed Derwent Edge route map an AllTrails.

Tips for the Derwent Edge walk

Wear hiking boots. It can get muddy, and slippy in some parts.
Windproof jacket. It can get windy when walking along Derwent Edge.
Take plenty of snacks and water (I decided to leave my lunch on the car to have after, and I regretted that).

-More walks similar to Derwent Edge will be listed at the end-

guide to the Derwent Edge Circular walk

From the car park, you should see a dirt trail going up the bank ahead. You need to go up that. It can be very muddy, and I found it to be the slippiest part of the walk.

A lay-by car park, with cars parked along the side, and a hill and trail ahead. — See that trail on the hill

Once up, keep going straight, with the road to your right. This will lead you through some woods, then back down to the road again.

A dirt trail through the grass, with a wire fence to the left, some trees ahead, and a hill past the trees.

Looking across the road, to an orange fern covered hill on the other side.

Look across the road and you will see a type of wall. The trail is on the other side of that. Be careful when crossing the road though. Cars go fast along here, and you can’t see that far in either direction.

Once across and through the gate, the trail will start to take you uphill on some big rocks. When you reach a junction, keep going straight on this main trail, and further along it will curve to the left.

A rocky path surround by orange fern, leading through the small hills. There are some sheep grazing ahead to the left.

Continue straight to reach the reservoir viewpoint

For some time now, you will be walking along this main path, on a gradual incline. The terrain is a mix of dirt, some mud, and lots of rocks, with some nice views to the surrounding hills.

A muddy rocky trail with patches of grass, on the walk towards Derwent Edge. It's a cloudy day.

A path lined with brown and pale hay grass.

Looking across the brown coloured moor with a hill in the distance, with tractor trails running up it.

Keep going until you reach a wonderful view down to the reservoir. It was at this point that the wind really picked up. I didn’t yet know that it was about to get a lot worse….

Walk up to Derwent Edge

At this junction you should see a signpost, follow the direction to Derwent Edge, which is the right trail.

The trail now becomes steep (but short) to walk up onto Derwent Edge. As you near the top, the rocks get bigger, and the trail splits up a little, which can get confusing, but don’t worry too much. Just take any that keep you in the rough same direction, with the reservoir to your left.

A signpost in front of a trail leading uphill towards Derwent Edge, with a few people walking up it. — Go up there

A dirt trail obscured by rocks, on the walk up to Derwent Edge.

A trail winding along, towards some tors ahead at the start of the walk along the top of Derwent Edge. — You should eventually end up on a trail like this

Walk along Derwent Edge, past the tors

For the walk along Derwent Edge, the trail is pretty obvious, with the occasional rocks and steps thrown in, and you will walk past some impressive tors.

A trail junction with a signpost in the middle. The ground is covered in brown heather.

A trail leading to some big tors on the walk along the top of Derwent Edge.

A dirt trail snaking through the brown heather, towards a rocky tor ahead, on the walk along Derwent Edge.

Rock steps leading up to more rocks, with patches of grass between the rocks.

A paved stone trail junction along Derwent Edge, with people walking ahead. There is a puddle of water next to the trail.

The only challenging bit I found, was where the trail was flooded and my only other option was to walk in the bog around it. Actually I lie, the other challenge was when it started to rain. So I was then battling a wind and sideways rain combo.

There are some junctions, but ignore those, and keep walking until you reach Back Tor. It’s the one with a white trig point on top.

A stone paved trail leading towards Back Tor at the end of the walk along Derwent Edge. There is a white trig point on top of Back Tor. — That’s Back Tor

Once I reached it, I considered walking up to the trig point…but I didn’t consider it for long. At this point the rain and wind were wearing me down, and I was now eager to get off Derwent Edge.

Read more: Tips for hiking in the rain

Walk down off Derwent Edge

At Back Tor, you should see a trail to the left of it. Go along that. I was really battling with the wind and rain at this point. I could see my trail going far ahead in the distance, to the moors and hills. Engulfed by rain mist.

A trail running along the left side of Back Tor, leading to the moors ahead. — The trail to the left. The photo is a bit blurry due to the rain

I did have some dread. A little annoyed at myself for not checking the weather before I headed out. I always check the weather. Always. However, in my excitement of arriving in Yorkshire the day before, I let my guard down.

Saying that, it probably wouldn’t have made much difference. At this time of year, even if the forecast says no rain, it will probably rain.

After a long trail, up and down a couple of small hills, you will reach a bigger descent, with a view to the vast moor landscape ahead. I felt a bit of relief, knowing I would be going down now. I was desperate to get down to lower ground.

A stone and dirt trail leading ahead to a hill across the moors on a misty day.

A dirt trail leading downhill on the walk off Derwent Edge. It leads towards the vast moorland, on a misty overcast day.

The trail down is a little muddy and maybe slippy, but to the side of it, you can walk on the grass which has better grip.

Walk through the moors

Once I got down to the moors below, everything changed. The wind calmed down. The sun started shining through. I felt such relief. But also started to feel a little dizzy. I hadn’t eaten yet. I had left my lunch in the car to have at the end. Don’t ask me why. But I had a banana with me. I had half. I needed to ration it.

A barely visible grass trail through the moors. — It doesn’t look sunny. But it was.

Keep an eye out when walking through here for a trail split. Make sure to take the left one. Keep going, and when you reach some wall ruins, take the trail to the left. You should now see the reservoir straight ahead in the distance.

A muddy trail through the moors. — This is the second trail split

A grass trail with a view to Derwent Edge on the left, and a view way ahead in the distance towards the reservoir. It's a misty day.

Keep following this grassy trail, which curves a little, then at the next junction, take the left (so the trees are now ahead and to the left of you).

A grass trail, with a group of trees ahead to the left, on a cloudy day. — After taking the next trail split

Keep going and you will soon reach a gravel dirt trail alongside some more wall ruins.

A muddy and wet patch of trail, with a signpost on the right, and a view of Derwent Edge ahead in the distance, on the walk down into the valley.

A gravel trail, with wall ruins to the left, on the walk below Derwent Edge.

Walk with Derwent Edge to your left

Follow this trail, with all the sheep, and Derwent Edge looming to your left. Looking up at Derwent Edge, I could see the darkness above it, and felt so glad I was not up there walking in it.

There was a nice rainbow though…..I had the second half of my banana.

A rainbow rising above Derwent Edge halfway through the walk. It's a cloudy misty day.

Keep following this trail, first straight, then as it curves left, to lead you to a gate and into a big grass field.

A wooden gate, leading to a field, with the reservoir down below.

Walk to the reservoir

Keep going down towards the reservoir, through a stone wall, and along more trail, to reach a junction. At the junction, go through the big gate.

A dirt trail leading through a stone wall on the left, on the walk down into the valley, with Derwent Edge to the left and the reservoir below.

A dirt track trail leading downhill through the grass towards the reservoir below.

A turning on the path with a wooden gate on the corner, surround by trees. — Go through that gate on the corner

The trail becomes steeper here, and more rocky. Keep following it, over the stile, through another gate, under the woodland, and over another stile to reach the road.

A dirt trail leading down hill, with a small grass hill to the right, and a stone wall to the left, lined with trees. There is a peak to the reservoir ahead through the trees.

A wooden fence with a stile in the middle. There is a rocky dirt trail leading through it, with a stone wall on the right. — That top bit of the stile lifts up

A rugged dirt trail leading downhill through the woodland.

Walk alongside the reservoir

At the road, turn left. Keep going, over the bridge, and continue on the road with the reservoir to your right.

Looking across the calm water of the reservoir, with trees on the other side, on a grey misty day.

You will walk some way on this road (a nice road btw. More like a walking trail road), and when you reach this gate, go through it:

A trail leading through a wooden gate, with the reservoir to the right.

Keep going with the reservoir to your right. It’s a nice tail. Fairly level. Savour it, as things are going to get tough soon.

If you want more from the Ladybower Reservoir, you can find that here.

A dirt trail, with a leafless hedge to the left, and a wire fence and trees to the right.

A dirt trail lined with thin leafless trees, and a small hill on the left and the reservoir on the right.

Looking towards the arched bridge over the reservoir, and a hill covered in woodland on the other side.

Walk up the hill

When you reach the road junction, take the left one uphill. Keeping going up, past the house, then take the trail off the road, with a big hedge to the right. Keep going, through one gate, then through the second gate.

A narrow road, lined with green and orange leafed hedges, towards a house.

A dirt trail. lined with moss covered stone walls, and trees. There is a wooden sign on the right.

A wooden fence in the stone wall, with an orange hay covered hill on the other side.

Through the second gate, you will see a trail going up a steep hill. When I saw it, I was filled with dread. But don’t panic. This is not the trail thank god. As you go through the gate, you will see a second trail appear, which takes you along the side of the hill. I thought the walk would be finished now….But it is not. There is more.

A dirt trail split, with the left trail leading uphill, and the right trail along the side of the hill. — Take the right trail

The never ending finish

If you keep following it, the trail will then take you downhill, with a stone wall to your right. You will go through a gate, and then uphill again.

A stoney dirt trail with a stone wall on the right, and woodland covered hill ahead.

A dirt trail leading through a wooden gate under woodland.

A dirt trail leading uphill, with a few leafless trees alongside it.

Somewhere up here there is a junction, you can take either, but I would stick to the main left trail, the right once is a marginally longer route.

Keep going up, through a metal gate, then up some more.

A metal gate in the stone wall, leading to woodland with leafless trees.

A rocky trail leading uphill, with a stone wall on the right. there is a person going up the hill on a bike.

I was now feeling faint again. I had no more food, was out of water, and I so desperately wanted to get back to my car, where my lunch was waiting for me….It was now about 4:30pm.

I’d sort of zoned out by this point. Just focusing on putting one foot in front of the other.

I think it’s fairly easy to navigate the rest of the route. I wasn’t paying too much attention, so forgive me if there is a junction I haven’t told you about.

One I do remember is this one, where you need to take the right:

A trail split, with the left grass trail going uphill, and the right paved trail staying level.

The final stretch of the Derwent Edge walk

This should lead you out to the open, in the area you walked at the beginning, on the way to Derwent Edge.

Keep going and soon(ish) you should see the road below to the right where you crossed over at the start. You should know where you are now, and you can just make your way back to the car park.

There is one final surprise rock coming up. That you need to sort of climb down. In my faint state, I had to focus a bit harder on not falling off it.

A large rock on the side of a small hill, covered in dead orange fern. — This is the rock you climb down

After crossing the road and going up the trail on the other side, I noticed some other people heading the same way, in the direction of the car park, except, they were walking along the road. I wondered why they were taking the road, when there was a perfectly nice trail. Then I remembered the steep muddy bit I would need to go down….

More walks similar to Derwent Edge

If you like your edges, then just over the other side of the reservoir you have Bamford Edge, and a little further past there, you have Stanage Edge. I would say that Stanage Edge is my favourite in terms of landscape of all three.

I mentioned earlier, the Trinnacle Trail. That’s probably the most similar as you have both the rocks and reservoir, like with Derwent Edge. It is quite a popular one, so don’t expect it to be peaceful. I still recommend it though. You can read about how to walk to the Trinnacle here.

For secret mystical vibes, you should try out The Roaches via Lud’s Church. The Roaches is more similar to the edges, but Lud’s Church thrown in, takes it to the next level.

The Mam Tor Great Ridge is really cool to walk along, that one takes you from Mam Tor, and then down and through Cave Dale, which is one of my other favourite places out here.

If you would like more walking route ideas, then have a look at the best ones I recommend here.

For more things to see and do in the Peak District, then check out the Visit Peak District Website.

Pin it for later: A guide to the Derwent Edge circular walk