Ladybower Reservoir is a region in the Peak District National Park, characterized by its expansive Y-shaped reservoir, surrounded by rolling hills, dense woodlands, and open moorland. This landscape provides a diverse setting for outdoor activities, attracting enthusiasts for several sports like hiking, jogging, road cycling, touring cycling, and more. The area's varied terrain, from waterside paths to elevated moorland, supports a range of routes for different skill levels.
Ladybower Reservoir offers more than 100…
167
Routes
4.6
(3024)
Average rating
26339
People visited

4.8
(342)
2,745
hikers
13.0km
03:23
90m
100m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(282)
1,872
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.9
(182)
923
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(133)
646
hikers
12.4km
03:34
300m
300m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.6
(130)
917
riders
26.0km
02:26
590m
580m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.7
(40)
489
riders
40.0km
03:42
900m
910m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.8
(62)
517
riders
34.1km
02:58
760m
760m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.6
(29)
126
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.9
(79)
1,227
riders
27.0km
02:01
360m
360m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

85
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

47
riders
79.7km
05:49
1,570m
1,580m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(37)
624
riders
16.9km
01:15
190m
200m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.8
(52)
470
riders
42.3km
03:25
480m
480m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
22
riders
40.1km
03:25
820m
820m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(11)
87
riders
16.8km
00:57
200m
190m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(11)
90
riders
17.8km
01:00
210m
210m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(5)
682
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
129
runners
34.8km
04:14
670m
670m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

5.0
(4)
103
runners
12.3km
01:33
340m
340m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

4.7
(3)
70
runners
26.7km
03:31
820m
830m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.0
(2)
180
riders
94.4km
05:05
1,750m
1,750m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.8
(5)
156
riders
47.5km
02:24
640m
640m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.8
(6)
81
riders
31.6km
01:52
660m
660m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(5)
39
riders
30.7km
01:50
550m
550m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(1)
3
hikers
17.9km
05:27
560m
560m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4
hikers
8.60km
02:53
380m
380m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
2
hikers
11.0km
03:35
430m
430m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

2
hikers
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Ladybower Reservoir offers a range of outdoor activities including Hiking, Jogging, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, and Gravel biking. The region features more than 170 routes for various skill levels. These activities take place amidst the reservoir's waters, woodlands, and moorland.
Popular hiking routes include the Ladybower Circular Walk and sections of the Derwent Valley Heritage Way. For more challenging treks, options extend to the peak of Win Hill or the top of Bamford Edge. Viewpoints like Bamford Edge offer expansive vistas.
Yes, Ladybower Reservoir offers well-maintained trails suitable for all abilities, including gentle waterside strolls. Users can find specific easy routes in the guide Easy hikes around Ladybower Reservoir. These paths provide accessible options for those new to hiking.
Ladybower Reservoir features routes suitable for families, often along the waterside paths. The area is known for its accessible trails and facilities like picnic sites. Specific family-friendly options are detailed in the guide Family-friendly hikes around Ladybower Reservoir.
Yes, Ladybower Reservoir is cycle-friendly with a network of routes. The area offers traffic-free trails ideal for touring and road cycling. Cycle hire facilities are available at locations such as the Fairholmes Visitor Centre.
Ladybower Reservoir provides options for mountain biking enthusiasts. The region's varied terrain includes trails suitable for MTB. Information on these routes can be found in the guide MTB Trails around Ladybower Reservoir.
Ladybower Reservoir is known for its two massive circular overflow shafts, locally called 'plugholes,' each 80 feet (24 meters) in diameter. During periods of low water, remains of the submerged villages of Ashopton and Derwent can sometimes be seen. The area also has historical significance as a practice site for the RAF's Dambusters squadron.
Ladybower Reservoir is generally dog-friendly, with many trails suitable for walks with dogs. Visitors are advised to keep dogs under control, especially near livestock or wildlife. Specific rules regarding dogs may apply in certain areas or facilities.
Visitor facilities and information for the Upper Derwent Valley, including Ladybower, are largely managed by the Peak District National Park Authority. The Fairholmes Visitor Centre is a key starting point, offering amenities like a shop, cycle hire, refreshments, and toilets.
Ladybower Reservoir is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 160,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes in the region have an average rating of 4.63 out of 5 stars from over 19,000 ratings. There are more than 170 routes available across various sports.
Komoot offers several guides for Ladybower Reservoir, including Hiking around Ladybower Reservoir, Running Trails around Ladybower Reservoir, and Road Cycling Routes around Ladybower Reservoir. Other guides cover family-friendly hikes, easy hikes, and MTB trails.
A popular touring cycling route that loops around Ladybower, Derwent, and Howden Reservoirs covers approximately 16.8 miles (27.0 km). This route offers varied terrain and scenic views. It is suitable for both cycling and longer walks.
Yes, Ladybower Reservoir features traffic-free trails that are ideal for cyclists of all levels. These routes provide a safe and picturesque experience through the scenic countryside. Specific traffic-free options are detailed in guides such as Traffic-free bike rides around Ladybower Reservoir.
Ladybower Reservoir is owned and managed by Severn Trent Water. For general information or emergencies related to the reservoir, Severn Trent Water can be contacted at 0800 783 4444. Visitor facilities and broader Upper Derwent Valley information are managed by the Peak District National Park Authority, reachable at +44(0)1629 816200.
Ladybower Reservoir's varied habitats attract a range of wildlife. Visitors may spot waterfowl, moorland birds, and various birds of prey. The area's woodlands and moorland provide diverse natural habitats for these species, making it a good location for birdwatching.

