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Derwent Dam – Derwent Dam loop from Derwent Reservoir

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Hiking trails & Routes

Derwent Dam – Derwent Dam loop from Derwent Reservoir

Easy

5.0

(1)

hikers

Derwent Dam – Derwent Dam loop from Derwent Reservoir

01:42

6.29km

80m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 18, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Peak District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

161 m

Upper Derwent Visitor Centre and Café

Highlight • Rest Area

This place is open every day, all year round. We stopped for an ice lolly on a beautiful sunny day and admired the reservoir and ducks.

Tip by

669 m

Derwent Dam

Highlight • Monument

This magnificent dam (built in 1902) is set amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Upper Derwent Valley. Surrounded by majestic moorland, peaceful forests, rolling farmland and rugged hills, there are endless trails to explore.

During the Second World War, the reservoir was used by pilots to practise for the ‘Dam Busters’ raids, due to its similarity to the lakes and dams of Germany.

Tip by

961 m

Derwent Dam

Highlight • Structure

Derwent Dam, is a stunning neo-Gothic construction that far transcends function alone. Built between 1902 and 1916, it is 340 m in length and 35 m high.

The dam is famously linked to WWII history; RAF’s 617 Squadron, the “Dambusters”, trained here using “bouncing bombs”.

Tip by

1.37 km

View of Derwent Dam and Memorial

Highlight • Lake

enjoy it slowly.

Tip by

3.34 km

Tin Town Trail and Model

Highlight • Historical Site

A map and layout of the Tin Town, built for the 1000 or so navvy workers and their families who built the reservoirs. There is a trail here through the former site with information boards (shaped like little tin houses) telling you what life was like when they built the dams. It's really close to the site of the foundations for an old railway used during the construction, which is visible when the water levels are low.

Tip by

4.06 km

Derwent Reservoir

Highlight • Structure

Very popular with cyclists

Tip by

4.14 km

View of Derwent Dam

Highlight • Lake

Lovely view down over towards the dam wall, the colours of the trees in autumn is spectacular.

Tip by

6.18 km

Start of the Red, Black and Green forest walking trails – Derwent Valley, Peak District

Highlight • Viewpoint

Waymarked, colour-coded walking trails through the forest, Red=1.5km, Black=3km, Green=4.5km. All three trails enter the woods here, alternative to walking around the reservoir. Suitable all year round.

Tip by

6.29 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.34 km

1.93 km

708 m

193 m

104 m

Surfaces

3.66 km

1.24 km

857 m

451 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Monday 13 July

24°C

11°C

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Derwent Dam – Derwent Dam loop from Derwent Reservoir

Upper Derwent Visitor Centre and Café

Derwent Dam

Derwent Dam

View of Derwent Dam and Memorial

Tin Town Trail and Model

Derwent Reservoir

View of Derwent Dam

Start of the Red, Black and Green forest walking trails – Derwent Valley, Peak District

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