23rd March 2019 - Back Tor and Derwent Edge
Walk Details
Distance walked: 11.7 miles
Total ascent: 2065 ft
OS map used: OL1 - The Peak District, Dark Peak area
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Fairholmes-Derwent Reservoir-Abbey Clough-Cartledge Stones Ridge-Back Tor-Derwent Edge-Whinstone Lee Tor-Derwent-Fairholmes
I decided to head for the Peak District today and do one of my favourite walks in the park, Derwent Edge. For the first time in a few years it was one route that I didn't do last year but I did also have another reason for choosing this destination, seeing water flowing over the top of the Derwent dam, which I'd never done in person before. The heavy rain of last weekend had filled the reservoirs and I'd seen photos from earlier in the week of water really pouring over the dam in spectacular fashion. Dry weather since then meant that it wasn't going to last much longer. On this occasion I took the path up Abbey Clough to join the Cartledge Stones Ridge north of Back Tor before heading south down Derwent Edge from Back Tor, which is a good full days walk. I enjoyed a fine spring day for my walk along the edge, though the sunshine did become increasing hazy through the afternoon.
From the car park at Fairholmes I took the path that heads under the Derwent dam and onto the track that follows the eastern shore of Upper Derwent Reservoir. When the Howden dam came into view I turned right onto the track that follows the south side of Abbey Clough. I then followed the path all the way up the valley to its end on the Cartledge Stones Ridge where a flagged path carried me south to Back Tor. After having my lunch the best bit of the walk lay ahead, Derwent Edge, all the way down to Whinstone Lee Tor. My route back was along the bridleway under Derwent Edge, down Grindle Clough and the road through Derwent back to Fairholmes.
Total ascent: 2065 ft
OS map used: OL1 - The Peak District, Dark Peak area
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Fairholmes-Derwent Reservoir-Abbey Clough-Cartledge Stones Ridge-Back Tor-Derwent Edge-Whinstone Lee Tor-Derwent-Fairholmes
I decided to head for the Peak District today and do one of my favourite walks in the park, Derwent Edge. For the first time in a few years it was one route that I didn't do last year but I did also have another reason for choosing this destination, seeing water flowing over the top of the Derwent dam, which I'd never done in person before. The heavy rain of last weekend had filled the reservoirs and I'd seen photos from earlier in the week of water really pouring over the dam in spectacular fashion. Dry weather since then meant that it wasn't going to last much longer. On this occasion I took the path up Abbey Clough to join the Cartledge Stones Ridge north of Back Tor before heading south down Derwent Edge from Back Tor, which is a good full days walk. I enjoyed a fine spring day for my walk along the edge, though the sunshine did become increasing hazy through the afternoon.
From the car park at Fairholmes I took the path that heads under the Derwent dam and onto the track that follows the eastern shore of Upper Derwent Reservoir. When the Howden dam came into view I turned right onto the track that follows the south side of Abbey Clough. I then followed the path all the way up the valley to its end on the Cartledge Stones Ridge where a flagged path carried me south to Back Tor. After having my lunch the best bit of the walk lay ahead, Derwent Edge, all the way down to Whinstone Lee Tor. My route back was along the bridleway under Derwent Edge, down Grindle Clough and the road through Derwent back to Fairholmes.
Route map
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After last Saturday's heavy rain the Derwent dam is still overflowing..
The towers of the Derwent dam
Upper Derwent Reservoir..
..with pleasant walking by its side..
I've left the track by Upper Derwent Reservoir behind for the footpath up Abbey Clough...
Looking back down Abbey Clough
Higher up and the sides of the valley close in..
..and then it turns to the north
At this point I get a great view looking down Abbey Clough as it makes its many twists and turns
Great scenery as I continue to follow Abbey Brook upstream
At this point I can see Back Tor and Lost Lad on the skyline when I look back
Dramatic scenery above the steep sided clough
and then the drama peters out as I approach the moorland of Cartledge Stones Ridge
Distant views to Kinder Scout and Bleaklow as I reach Cartledge Stones Ridge
Heading south along Cartledge Stones Ridge to Back Tor
The trig point on Back Tor with Kinder Scout in the distance
Looking south from Back Tor to Win Hill, Lose Hill and Mam Tor
Bleaklow in the distance beyond Lost Lad
The Howden Moors surround the Upper Derwent Valley
Reaching the trig point involves a little bit of a scramble
Looking back to Back Tor as I head south down Derwent Edge
Kinder Scout, Bleaklow and a peaty pool
The Cakes of Bread..
Looking north to Back Tor from Dovestone Tor
and looking south to Win Hill. I can make out the Salt Cellar at the end of the edge in front of Win Hill.
A short time later and I'm at the Salt Cellar. It's a great place to stop and take in the view...
It took a bit of manoeuvring about but I was happy with this shot of the hazy sun reflected in the puddle on this gritstone boulder
Kinder Scout, Ladybower Reservoir and Bleaklow from White Tor
Win Hill, Ladybower Reservoir and Bridge-end Pasture
Below White Tor
Looking back to White Tor as I continue south down Derwent Edge
The Wheel Stones
The Vale of Edale and Kinder Scout as I approach Whinstone Lee Tor
Win Hill, the Ashopton Viaduct and Ladybower Reservoir from Whinstone Lee Tor
The classic view of Ladybower Reservoir from Whinstone Lee Tor
Stanage Edge, Bamford Moor and Bamford Edge
On the bridleway beneath Derwent Edge
Looking back to Whinstone Lee Tor
Off access land and down to High House Farm. That stone building on the right is the shelter that's marked on the map.
Five minutes later and I'm sat in it with a view of Win Hill
Reflections in Ladybower Reservoir
On the bridleway through Derwent back to Fairholmes