An exhilarating walk to Alport Castles, Derbyshire

The longest of our walks in the Peak District is an invigorating route in the Upper Derwent Valley.  The trail takes you from Fairholmes Visitor Centre to Alport Castles and returns by Howden Dam.

This is the most challenging of our Peak District walks but covers a varied terrain and offers breathtaking scenery throughout.  It is the most remote of our hikes in the Peak District, which just adds to the sense of wilderness and adventure.

Alport Castles is not a castle as the name suggests, but an enormous gritstone outcrop in the Peak District.

In fact, the Alport Castles is believed to be the largest landslide in the UK.  The debris from the landslide stretches for over half a mile and has produced several mounds, which appear like castles from a distance.  The largest of these pinnacles is known as “The Tower”, as it resembles a motte and bailey castle.

Located on the eastern side of the River Alport Valley, the walk to Alport Castles has become a popular route for hikers.  It also attracts many birdwatchers, who go to see the ravens and peregrine falcons, which nest in the crags.

The best place to park for the Alport Castles’ walk is at the Upper Derwent Visitor Centre.  This is a good sized car park, with several facilities, including toilets and a small shop.

• Parking: Fairholmes Car Park, Bamford, Hope Valley, S33 0AQ
• No of spaces: 100 spaces
• Cost – up to 2 hours £3.50 and all day £6.00
• Facilities: – Visitor Centre, toilets, refreshment kiosk, shop with maps, cycle hire, picnic sites

Alternatively, you could park at the Derwent Overflow car park, but this is very small, so you might not get a space.  It also has no facilities.  This small car park is closer to the start of the walk, but slightly further on the return.

• Parking: Car park, Overlook, Hope Valley, S33 0AQ
• No of spaces: 30 spaces
• Cost: free (please check)
• Facilities: None – use the facilities at Fairholmes Visitor Centre

This small car park is effectively the start of the woodland part of the walk, but slightly further away from facilities.

Find the path to the left rear of the car park that moves up hill to the right.

• Parking: Car park, Overlook, Hope Valley, S33 0AQ
• No of spaces: 30 spaces
• Cost: free (please check)
• Facilities: None – use the facilities at Fairholmes Visitor Centre

It is a moderately challenging walk, with uneven terrain, so wear sturdy walking shoes or boots.  You should also pack a waterproof.  Weather conditions in the Peak District are variable and can be extreme.  Check the weather forecast and bring additional layers, just in case.  Some areas of the walk are very exposed and offer very little shelter from the elements.  It was sunny with blue skies when we set off, but it was very windy on the top.

As the walk to Alport Castles is so remote, you should also stack up on drinks and snacks before you go.  We brought our own picnic, but there’s a shop at the visitor centre, if you want to buy something.

You may want to consider an ordnance survey map too, though the route is fairly straightforward.

The first stretch of our walk to Alport Castles is a scenic woodland walk uphill through some trees.

From the car park, walk left along the road away from Derwent Dam.  You will pass the overflow car park on your left.  Keep an eye out for the Bridge end car park on your right. Cross over to it and head for the rear left looking for the signpost leading to a woodland route on your right. Then, follow this track uphill through the Hagg Side woods until you reach the end of the trees.

It’s a short, steep climb, but extremely picturesque.

As you leave the woods, pass through a gate and turn right.  This will take you along the side of some pasture with sheep, with woods on your right.

At the end of the field you’ll arrive at a track.  Go diagonally right.  You’ll be able to see the wooden stile in the distance.  Take the wooden steps over the stone wall, then cross the field to another gate.  This will bring you out onto National Trust’s Rowlee Pastures.

This section offers a dramatic landscape.  There is little shelter and the wind was bracing.  The terrain is somewhat boggy underfoot, but eventually you’ll reach some paving stones which you can follow.

You’ll easily see Alport Castles in the distance, as it is so vast.  You can access the site by following the trails down to the base of the landslide.   From here it is possible to scramble to the top of the Tower, the highest pinnacle.  However, the rock faces are unstable and precarious, so climbing the landslide can be very dangerous.

We chose to admire it from the ledge above.

After stopping to look at Alport Castles, we continued to follow the path, which comes to a natural end and joins with a track, where you will turn right.

Keep a look out on the right for a shelter, which is perfect for a lunch stop.  It gave us a break from the wind and fantastic views, including our first glimpse of Howden Reservoir.

After stopping to admire the views, continue the track which descends through the woods, with a babbling brook on your right.  Eventually the footpath comes out at the reservoir.

However, don’t be fooled into thinking you’re nearly home, as this is Howden Reservoir, rather than Derwent.

It’s the first of two nearly identical dams, both flanked by two Gothic-style towers.  From here the route is easy to follow, as you just follow the waterside path to the start.

Derwent Dam is famous as the training site for the Dambuster raids in the second world war.  You’ll see a memorial to the daring aircrew of the 617 squadron who flew planes over the valley to practise their low-level flying.

You can descend a flight of steps to see get views of Derwent Dam from the front.  It is an impressive structure and even better after heavy rain when the water cascades over the top.

From Derwent Dam it is only 5 minutes’ walk back to the Visitor Centre.  We stopped for a well-deserved ice-cream before taking the car to visit nearby Ladybower Reservoir.

The circular walk to Alport Castles is very remote and there are no facilities at all en route.  Make sure you pack plenty of water and food for your trip.  However, you can get snacks, drinks, and ice-creams at the start and end of the walk at the Fairholmes Visitor Centre.

There are also several pubs nearby.  The Yorkshire Bridge Inn and the Anglers Rest are both traditional country pubs in Bamford, which serve good pub food.  You could also eat at the Ladybower Inn, which is on the A57, near the reservoir.

The nearest village to the Derwent Dam is Bamford, a popular destination as it is so close to the reservoirs and many walking routes.

Here are some of the recommended places to stay in Bamford:

Yorkshire Bridge Inn – The closest accommodation to the Derwent Dam.  A top rated bed and breakfast accommodation , with a garden and bar.  Click here to book.

Bike & Boot Inns – Located on the outskirts of Bamford, this is a top-rated accommodation with a restaurant, bar and free parking.  Click here for prices.

George’s Cottage – A 2-bedroom, self-catering character cottage in a prime location.  Click here for availability.

You’ll find plenty of campsites near Bamford.  The closest are Swallowolme Camping, Heatherhill Farm Campsite and Handhurst Farm Camping.

• Best things to do in Bakewell
• A walk to the mystical Padley Gorge in the Peak District
• A short walk to Thor’s Cave, Peak District
• 10 marvellous things to do in the Peak District National Park

What’s your favourite walk in the Peak District?  We’d love to hear your comments below.

Save this guide to the Alport Castles walk for later!

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. (Read our full Disclosure Policy)