Derwent Dam and Ladybower Dam Circuit

The route

This is the Peak District's flattest big trail run. From Fairholmes, the route runs the full perimeter of Ladybower, Derwent and Howden reservoirs on wide, well-maintained tracks - forestry road on the western side, quieter path on the east. There's barely a hill worth naming on the whole circuit, which makes it one of the few places locally where you can properly settle into pace over 24km without the terrain fighting you.

Derwent Dam

The Derwent Dam itself is the standout landmark, its curved stone face familiar from the Dambusters film - 617 Squadron practised their low-level bombing runs on this exact stretch of water in 1943, and the dam towers are open to the public on selected days. A little further round, Howden Dam marks the turning point of the loop, tucked into a quieter, more wooded stretch of valley that sees far fewer visitors than the Ladybower end.

Why it works

Because the gradient barely moves, this route is genuinely useful training rather than just scenic - long tempo efforts, marathon-pace blocks, or simply banking distance without your legs taking the usual Peak District hammering. It's popular, so don't expect solitude on a summer weekend, but the width of the tracks means runners, cyclists and other trail users coexist without much friction. On Sundays and bank holidays the road through the valley closes to cars, and the whole place feels handed over to people moving under their own power.

Getting there

Fairholmes has toilets, a cafe and plenty of parking, though it fills early on nice days. Winter is a good time to run this loop, since the flat gradient means ice is the main concern rather than exposure, and the low sun over the water is worth the extra layers. If you want more climbing in the same valley, the longer Edale, Mam Tor, Win Hill route starts from the same car park and takes in the surrounding ridges.