THE  RESERVOIR  RAMBLE

CONTACT : Janet Housley, 5 Mount Pleasant, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts. NG17 4DE
Tel: 01623 469108      E-mail:  south-yorks-strollers@bwf-ivv.org.uk

DISTANCE:  22km
GRADE: 3
ENTRY FEE:  £1.00 per walker  (Cheques payable to South Yorkshire Strollers)
AWARD:  Cloth Badge at £2.50 each
ENTRY SYSTEM: Postal

START VENUE:  Fairholmes Car Park, Derwent Valley      Map110 GR SK172893

CAR PARKING: At the start venue
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:  None available
TERRAIN:   Roads farmland, woods and moorland.
REFRESHMENTS:  Can be purchased on the route.

This is a contrasting walk alongside both the Ladybower and Derwent Reservoirs, but also including a fine high level stretch along Derwent Edge and some woodland and open moorland walking.  Many excellent views of the reservoirs and dams are provided, although because of the open moorland aspects of part of the walk, participants should pay special attention to the weather and be aware that there are two quite STEEP slopes.  It should also be noted that the only refreshment stop is at the Ladybower Inn so you may wish to time your arrival here for opening hours.

The Howden and Derwent Reservoirs were built between 1901 and 1916, and the Ladybower, between 1935 and 1945.  These were the dams that were used by the RAF in preparation for the famous "Dambuster" attacks during the 2nd World War.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Exit Car Park by vehicular access road and take footpath almost directly opposite (signposted 'Concession footpath to Lockerbrook) at next sign after 100 metres carry straight on, cross stile and bridge and continue on footpath up hill to pass 'Forestry Commission Concessionary footpath' sign on right.  At gravel track turn left and keep on track round bends.  Just before 2nd bend, by signpost 'Forest Walk' turn left.  After 300m at next junction turn right up0 steps (Concessionary footpath to Lockerbrook) and follow footpath round to right uphill.  Just after derelict wall at T turn left uphill towards stile, cross stile and continue ahead (signposted Lockerbrook) cross stile by wooden shed and turn left along track (wall on left hand side).  Go past farm buildings on left hand side, round bend and uphill on track.  After 500m from farm track at fork in track go left on the upper path, cross stile and carry on with fence and wood on left hand side.  After 1km  cross stile, cross track and another stile.  Continue in same direction with fence and wood on left hand side.  Go through gate and over ladder stile and continue ahead.  Just after disused stile path bears to right across field.  Continue on path to cross ladder stile across wall.  Continue ahead through another gate and continue ahead.  Go through gate and take left hand footpath (signposted Crookhill Farm and Derwent Valley).

Q1.     Where does the bridleway going slightly right go to?

Footpath then veers to left and then right around Crook  Hill following line of wooden posts to join main track.  After 200m at finger post go through gate on left with 'Alternative footpath avoiding farm yard' sign.  Head diagonally right and go through gate at bottom of field.  cross track and through 2 more gates by barn.  Head straight on towards viaduct.  Go through gate 50m. before end of wall on right hand side and over ladder stile after 20m.  Keep on footpath downhill towards viaduct.  Go through gate (corner of field) and continue ahead towards telegraph pole.  Turn left after trees and follow fence on left hand side to gate in left hand corner of field.  Turn right along lane and after 100m cross road and turn left across viaduct.  Continue on path with Ladybower Reservoir on right hand side.  100m after telephone kiosk is -

Q2.    How much water does the Ladybower reservoir hold when full?

Continue on path around bend.  Cross A6013 Bamford Road and continue ahead for 300m to reach Ladybower Inn.  The pub serves tea, coffee, a good range of ales and food, so why not take a break.  Take track immediately to right of pub (as you look at it), and after 75m by post turn left and follow footpath behind pub.  Go through gate and continue on footpath with wall on left hand side to eventually go through another gate.  Bear slightly right and after 20m (No cyclists beyond this point sign) go along footpath between trees, then with wall and later fence on left hand side continue on footpath following overhead cables.  At end of wood continue uphill on track (wall on left hand side) and then head uphill towards fence.  Turn right uphill towards signpost and at junction of paths take 2nd left (no access for cycles).  Continue uphill and along ridge and after 1km you will see a signpost on left.

Q3.    What is the signpost number?

Continue along ridge for 3.5km to reach Trig. Point at the top of Back Tor (along the ridge you will have passed Wheel Stones, White Tor, Salt Cellar, Doveston Tor, and Cakes and Bread).  Here bear left on slabbed path to reach view indicator on top of Lost Lad.

Q4.    The view indicator, what feature is marked as being due north?

Continue on slabbed path downhill which later becomes quite narrow and steep.  Continue on path as it turns to a wide grassy track across moorland.  After 200m at fork bear left on wider track and continue for 600m to cross derelict wall by stone post.  After 100m at fork go right to cross stile (footpath sign Derwent Res.) and continue ahead with remains of wall on right hand side.  Just before next wall turn left (yellow arrow) and go downhill with wall on right hand side.  At signpost turn right towards 'Abbey Bank and Howden Dam@, on path downhill.  Continue on this path with wall on left hand side until Howden Dam comes into view in front of you.  Continue on path downhill passing footpath sign 'Abbey Grange'.  Go through gap in wall and follow path to right through wood.  Turn left on track back towards Derwent Dam.  Just before dam wall cross stile on right hand side and follow path.  Just after dam turn right down steps and then follow path to reach lane below the dam.  Turn right back to car park.

This trail is registered until 31 December 2008.

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