Lambing time: Please keep dogs on leads. 🐑

Fairholmes Lost Lad Loop

Difficulty: Hard

Length: 8.10 miles

Discover a challenging circular walk in the heart of the Peak District National Park, starting and ending at the Fairholmes car park, off the scenic Snake Road (A57). This route offers breathtaking views of the Derwent Dam and Reservoir, a rewarding climb onto the moorland, and a varied terrain perfect for experienced hikers.

The adventure begins at Fairholmes car park, which conveniently provides public toilets, rubbish bins, and a small takeaway cafe offering drinks, ice creams, and light refreshments – ideal for a pre- or post-walk treat. Pay and display parking is in operation, with card readers available for easy payment.

From the car park, the initial section of the walk heads directly towards the impressive Derwent Dam. Prepare for a short but significant climb up stone steps to reach the top of the dam. Enjoy the immediate panoramic views across the vast Derwent Reservoir. Following the steps, the path continues for a short distance alongside the tranquil waters of the Derwent Reservoir, offering picturesque photo opportunities. The route then takes a turn upwards, leading you through forestry via a steep climb. This section requires a good level of fitness as you ascend towards the open moorland above.

Upon reaching the moorland, the path generally runs parallel to the Derwent Reservoir below, providing stunning vistas over the dam and the surrounding landscape. Be aware that signage on the moorland can be patchy, so it is crucial to have a map, compass, or GPS device and ensure you are confident in your navigation skills. The walk then gradually heads away from the reservoirs, leading you through the valley of Howden Dean and alongside the picturesque Abbey Brook. Continue along the path as it follows Sheepfold Clough, eventually leading you to the iconic Lost Lad Cairn. This historic landmark offers a point to pause and take in the expansive moorland scenery. From Lost Lad Cairn, enjoy a more distinct section of the path, often featuring flagstone paving, making for easier walking underfoot. The final leg of the walk gradually turns back towards the Derwent and Howden Reservoirs, offering changing perspectives of the water and surrounding hills. The path eventually descends back towards the Fairholmes car park, completing the circular route.

Key features and considerations include a steep and challenging route requiring a good level of fitness and not being suitable for those with reduced mobility. The terrain is varied, including stone steps, woodland paths, open moorland, and some paved sections. Expect uneven ground, and be aware that there are stiles to cross along this route. Navigation is essential on the moorland due to patchy signage, so bringing a map, compass, or GPS is crucial.

Further Information

The Howden and Derwent Dams stand as impressive feats of engineering, their construction driven by the need to supply water to the growing industrial towns of Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham, and Leicester. Howden Dam was the first to be completed in 1912, with its near twin, Derwent Dam, following in 1916. The immense undertaking required a dedicated workforce, housed in a temporary village known as Birchinlee, or "Tin Town," which surprisingly offered its residents a range of social facilities. Interestingly, this tranquil location played a significant role in World War II, serving as a practice site for the RAF's 617 Squadron, the "Dambusters," as they prepared for their daring raid on the German Ruhr dams. The sheer scale of the project also necessitated the construction of a 7-mile railway line to transport the vast quantities of stone needed from a quarry near Grindleford. Downstream, the later construction of Ladybower Reservoir led to the flooding of the villages of Derwent and Ashopton, with the ghostly remnants of Derwent occasionally reappearing in very dry conditions, and its old packhorse bridge now relocated to Slippery Stones.

To the east of the Derwent Reservoir lies Little Howden Moor, a quieter expanse of moorland offering a sense of peaceful solitude to those who venture across it. Often traversed as part of a route leading to the more prominent peaks nearby, its relatively flat summit provides expansive panoramic views across the surrounding landscape on clear days. The path across the moor frequently traces the course of Abbey Brook, a stream that eventually flows into the Derwent Reservoir, connecting the higher ground with the waters below.

The summit of Lost Lad, a subpeak of the slightly higher Back Tor, carries a poignant tale within its name. Legend tells of Abraham Lowe, a young shepherd boy from the submerged village of Derwent, who tragically perished in a blizzard while tending his flock. His body was discovered the following spring, with the words "Lost Lad" etched into a nearby rock. Today, a cairn, said to have been started by fellow shepherds as a mark of respect, and a toposcope mark the summit at 518 meters, offering excellent views over the northern reaches of the Peak District. Perhaps adding to the area's mystique, some walkers have recounted eerie sightings, particularly in the winter months, of what they believe to be the spectral figure of the lost shepherd boy and his dog wandering the moor.

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