ALPORT CASTLES, DERWENT VALLEY
An incredible Peak District walk with jaw-dropping spectacle mid-route
Start: Fairholmes Visitor Centre, S33 0AQ
Distance: 9.24 miles
Duration: 3-4 hours
Elevation: 1,175 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Navigation: Follow step-by-step on komoot, or download GPX file
About the route
Located in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District, Alport Castles is the national park’s best kept secret. Due to its remoteness, it’s less popular compared to other hikes in the Upper Derwent Valley, located to the east, or even the B-29 ‘OVEREXPOSED’ Crash Site, located to the west of Alport Castles. So if you enjoy being far away from everything with the craziest landscapes and views to match, then you definitely need to add Alport Castles onto your Peak District hiking bucket list.
At the start of the route you’ll pass Derwent Dam, a massive structure that towers 34m overhead and is flanked by twin Victorian-Gothic towers at either end. Building the dam in the early 1900s was such an intense and laborious process that an entire town was built here to house the 1000-odd workers involved in its construction. A specially created railway was also built to bring the enormous stones it’s made from to the valley from the Bole Hill quarries.
And if you catch the dam when the water cascades over it, you’ll witness a spectacle like no other.
Route highlights:
Derwent Dam
Derwent Dam, which towers above the northern tip of Ladybower Reservoir, is an impressive feat of engineering and is an incredible site when flowing after heavy rain or snow melt.
Derwent Dam and Derwent Reservoir are standout highlights in the Upper Derwent Valley, blending history and natural beauty. The dam is renowned for its role in World War II, where the RAF's 617 Squadron, known as the "Dambusters," used it to practice for their famous raids. Its impressive stone structure with twin towers stands tall above the serene waters of Derwent Reservoir, which is surrounded by lush woodlands and open moorlands. The reservoir offers peaceful walking paths with stunning views, making it a perfect spot to enjoy both the area's rich wildlife and its iconic historical significance.
Alport Castles
Alport Castles is a dramatic geological formation in the Peak District, located within the Alport Valley in the Upper Derwent Valley. It is considered one of the largest landslip (landslide) formations in the UK. Formed by a massive landslide, Alport Castles was created by a massive rockslide during the Ice Age, resulting in huge, jagged rock formations.
The most notable feature is the ‘The Tower’, a prominent rock pinnacle that looks like a ruined castle, giving the area its name. The area offers stunning views across the surrounding valleys and moorland, making it a popular spot for walkers and nature lovers. Alport Castles is relatively remote and less crowded than other Peak District landmarks, adding to its wild, untouched atmosphere.
Fairholmes Visitor Centre
Fairholmes Visitor Centre is a great spot to kick off your adventure in the Upper Derwent Valley. It’s not just a great starting point for many walks—though that’s a big part of it! You can hire bikes from the centre and hit the nearby trails for some incredible cycling routes around Derwent and Ladybower Reservoirs.
The gift shop is packed full of local souvenirs and handy maps, and there’s also a café where you can grab a coffee or a snack. Plus, with comfy picnic spots, it’s a perfect place to chill and soak in the beautiful views, whether you’re planning a big day out or just stopping by.
Where is Derwent Dam?
The start of this walk is located at Fairholmes Visitor Centre (S33 0AQ). Fairholmes Visitor Centre is located near the Derwent Reservoir in the Upper Derwent Valley, Peak District.
Getting to the starting point
Public transport
Train to Bamford:
Take the train to Bamford Station, which is the nearest train station to Fairholmes. Bamford is on the Manchester to Sheffield line, and trains run frequently.
Bus from Bamford:
From Bamford Station, there is a seasonal bus service (Peak District National Park buses or the 222 service) that runs to Fairholmes Visitor Centre. Alternatively, local taxis can also be used to travel from Bamford Station to Fairholmes.
Bus from Sheffield:
You can catch a bus from Sheffield to Bamford or Ladybower (services such as the 272 or 273). During peak seasons, shuttle buses may also operate directly to Fairholmes from these locations.
Arriving by car
If you’re travelling by car, you’ll find plenty of parking at the visitor centre. Please note, the car park does fill up quickly during weekends and peak season, so arrive early or consider using the overflow carparks nearby.
Shortening the route
Toddler friendly options
Got little ones in tow? You can easily shorten this route to skip out Alport Castles to make this walk toddler-friendly. It’s just a short walk to Derwent Dam from Fairholmes Car Park. There’s also a detour to a short nature trail en route for little ones to explore the woodland and find carved creatures under the trees. A train carved from a fallen tree is the ideal snack stop overlooking the water. It’s a perfect Peak District toddler walk for little ones to be out of the carrier and exploring, to start building up their stamina for those longer family walks. Or if you want to enjoy a relaxed stroll while your little one naps in the buggy after their adventures, the full loop around Ladybower Reservoir is pram friendly.
Amenities at Fairholmes Visitor Centre:
Fairholmes Visitor Centre is the perfect starting point for the Alport Castles Walk. Here's a summary of the amenities and features at the visitor centre.
Car park: There is a large pay-and-display car park with plenty of spaces, including accessible parking for blue badge holders.
Toilets: Public toilets are available, including accessible facilities for disabled visitors. Baby changing facilities are also on-site.
Café and refreshments: A seasonal kiosk or café provides hot drinks, snacks, and light refreshments. Picnic benches are available for those who bring their own food.
Information centre: A staffed information centre offers maps, leaflets, and advice on walking routes and local points of interest, helpful for planning your hike or learning more about the area.
Bike hire: Cycle hire is available during peak season, with options for regular bikes and e-bikes for exploring the area.
Water refill station: A free water refill station is available to top up your bottles before starting your walk.
Picnic area: A scenic picnic area with views of the reservoirs and surrounding woodlands is located near the visitor centre.
Public transport access: During peak seasons, bus services from nearby towns such as Bamford link to the visitor centre. A shuttle bus service sometimes operates around the reservoir areas.
Gift shop: A small shop sells local maps, guidebooks, and souvenirs.
Cycle trails and footpaths: The centre provides access to various marked trails and walking routes, including the path leading to the Alport Castles Walk.
Food and drink
Cafes
There’s a refreshment kiosk at the car park, open everyday 8am until 6pm (later if there is demand), selling takeaway drinks, snacks and hot food.
Pubs
Ladybower Inn (7 min drive from visitor centre)
Yorkshire Bridge Inn (8 min drive from visitor centre)
✔️ Good to knows
Footwear: As with any walk in the glorious UK, sections of this route can get extremely boggy after heavy rainfall. Definitley boot up for this one, even if you’re visiting after a dry spell.
Conditions: The weather in the Upper Derwent Valley, especially on higher ground like Rowlee Pasture, can vary significantly depending on the time of year and general weather conditions in the Peak District. Rowlee Pasture and the higher moorland are prone to low cloud cover and fog, especially in autumn and winter, though it can happen year-round. Fog can roll in quickly, reducing visibility and making navigation more challenging. Since the walk ascends into more exposed areas, it's important to be prepared for changing conditions.
Derwent Dam: Derwent Dam only flows after heavy rain or snow melt — so if you’re wanting to see the Dam in full flow, time your visit for after a spell of heavy rain.
Public transport: Travelling from Manchester? Take the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Bamford, then catch the seasonal bus to the starting point at Fairholmes.
🧭 Following the route
I use OS Maps and komoot for offline navigation. To follow this walk step-by-step on komoot, simply click this link or download the GPX file and upload it to your chosen app, such as OS Maps.
Fancy giving this one ago? Check out the full guide on Instagram
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