The Upper Derwent Valley is stunning at any time of year, but if you’re lucky enough to be visiting during autumn, you will be treated to a real spectacle. The trees are the most colourful I’ve seen in any woods in the UK and the whole walk was a dream.
As well as beautiful woodland, this easy trail takes in the famous Derwent Reservoir and some wonderful views of the River Derwent, complete with picturesque old stone bridges.
Here’s exactly what to expect from the trail, and all the best spots for autumn colour.
The best easy Upper Derwent Valley walk
The stats
Distance: 1.4 mile (2.3 km) circuit
Elevation gain: 50m
Difficulty: Easy
This circular walk mainly follows the set trail, but as we were specifically seeking out autumn colour, we also went off piste a few times.
However, even if you’re not visiting in autumn this is a gorgeous easy walk, which takes in a number of lovely spots within the Upper Derwent Valley.
The trail is in great condition and despite the fact we were walking after plenty of rain, it was never overly muddy. There is one significant staircase to climb, but the majority of the walk is a leisurely stroll.
Where to start the trail
The trailhead is located at the Fairholmes car park, where you’ll need to pay for parking (details below). However, if you don’t mind adding on an additional 250m each way, you can park for free at Derwent Overlook car park.
It’s a flat walk along the pavement beside the road, so it’s an easy add on and saves the pennies. It does get very busy at weekends and in the school holidays though, so you may need to come early to snag one of the coveted free spaces.
Into the woodland to Derwent Dam
If you’re here in autumn, even the drive in will have treated you to some incredible displays of colour, but nothing compares to walking through all the foliage.
Walking amongst crunchy leaves is one autumn’s great delights and always makes the transition from summer to the cooler months feel a lot easier.
The walk begins along the Derwent Dam circuit and heads straight into a stunning stretch of woodland. The trail takes you along a bridge over the river and you’ll soon see the huge dam wall ahead of you (350m into the walk).
After a further 200m you’ll see a set of steep stone steps leading uphill. This will take you up to the viewpoint over the dam, which is 150m away.
The water level was quite low on our visit and the light was a bit harsh, so it wasn’t as impressive as we were expecting, but still well worth going to take a look.
We’ve seen some lovely photographs from here, so hopefully you’ll catch it in better light and have a bit more success than we did!
To the best of the autumn colour
To continue the walk and experience the best of the autumn colour, you head back the way you came, but instead of going down the steps, take the forested trail on the left.
This wonderful track zigzags back down the hill through gorgeous tall trees, which were ablaze with autumn colour.
There had been a few people at the lookout over the dam, but we didn’t see another soul on the rest of the walk, which was a real surprise as it’s absolutely beautiful.
The vibrant yellows and golds of the beech trees really shone inbetween the greens of the pines.
The dirt path is wide and even so it’s a very easy stroll, allowing you to really soak up the beauty of the forest without ever having to worry about footing.
This section was just 300m long, but it was possibly my favourite bit of the whole walk and had such a magical feel, with so much colour and no one else around.
You’ll then emerge at the road which had some particularly spectacular yellow hornbeam trees, which are well worth stopping to look at before continuing on.
To the river
From where you exit the woodland you’ll veer right along the road. Just before the bridge you’ll take a left back into the woodland again.
Not only is the woodland full of incredible autumn colour, but you’ll also get many views out to the river, and at one point there is an old stone bridge with the colourful trees that reflect perfectly in the water (as long as you have calm enough conditions).
It really is the perfect autumn scene, although difficult to photograph as you can’t really get a clear shot of the water at a level you can see the reflection - so it’s one of those views that you just have to enjoy in the moment.
After 600m following the easy level path through the wood, you’ll come to a little picnic area. Just beside it, on the right, there is a dirt track leading down to the river. It’s steep and looked slippery, but was surprisingly stable, although it could get muddy and slippery after prolonged rain.
From here you can walk to the riverbank for a closer look.
The water level was low on our visit, so we could walk quite a way along the riverbank, but you could get cut off much earlier if the flow is higher. This section is unmaintained and can be a little slippery, so take care.
You then retrace your steps back to the picnic benches again to continue the circuit.
Completing the circuit
From the picnic area you now turn right and you’ll soon come to a children’s play area. There’s a little wooden train and it’s here you make a left.
You’re still in the fabulous woodland which is full of golden leaves. Just 100m from the train you’ll come to the road again and turn left to go over the bridge.
From here you’re back on the original path you came in on and can follow it back to the car park, which is just 200m away.
This short easy circuit walk is our favourite autumn trail in the Peaks so far, and one we’d do time and time again.
Getting to the Upper Derwent Valley
There are several car parks for the Upper Derwent Valley and the one closest to the trail head is the Fairholmes car park, postcode: S33 0AQ.
This car park is pay and display and costs £5 for all day parking or £3 for two hours. Two hours is more than enough time for the walk described above and a long picnic.
Alternatively you can park 250m away at the Derwent Overlook car park for free. The only downside is that the space here is limited.
At the main Fairholmes car park you’ll find toilets and a kiosk selling drinks and some hot food like sausage rolls and jacket potatoes.
The Upper Derwent Valley is located a 30 minute drive from Sheffield, 35 minutes from Bakewell and just over an hour from Ashbourne.
The best time to visit for autumn colour
We visited the Upper Derwent Valley on the second week of October and the colours were fabulous. We then visited again a week later and a few more trees had turned. The larches seemed to turn a little later than the other trees and hadn’t fully turned by the third week in October - however the larches are not seen on the walk described above.
I’d say mid to late October is likely a very good time for colour, but it can vary year to year depending on how warm it’s been. If it’s been very stormy you can also get unlucky with leaves being knocked off the trees early - however even that still has it’s own beauty as you’ll be walking over all the colourful leaves.
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