Derwent Dam toddler walk (1.6km circular)

Derwent Dam, which towers above the northern tip of Ladybower Reservoir, is an impressive feat of engineering and is an incredible site when flowing after heavy rain or snow melt. It’s a short walk to get here from Fairholmes Car Park, and there’s a detour to a short nature trail enroute for little ones to explore the woodland and find carved creatures under the trees. A train carved from a fallen tree is the ideal snack stop overlooking the water.

It’s a perfect Peak District toddler walk for little ones to be out of the carrier and exploring, to start building up their stamina for those longer family walks.

However, if you want to enjoy a longer walk after this, you could continue up into the hills on our Derwent Dam walk to Pike Low (6.8km) with your toddler in a carrier. Alternatively, if parents want to enjoy a relaxed stroll whilst your little one naps in the buggy after their adventures, how about walking the loop around Ladybower Reservoir (9.1km), which is pram friendly.

Map of Derwent Dam toddler walk

On all Peak District family walks it’s a good idea to have an Ordnance Survey paper map with you, even if you have your phone on you. For this walk you need the OS Explorer Map OL 01 (Dark Peak). It’s also a good opportunity to show young kids the map features and get them started with map reading.

Preview	Product	Price
	The Peak District: Dark Peak Area | Weatherproof | Peak…	£13.55	Buy on Amazon

This toddler walk follows the below map in a clockwise direction.

Get a printable download of this walk

Need to know

DISTANCE OF WALK: 1.6km / 1 mile

TYPE OF WALK: easy-going and flat toddler walk

PARKING: Fairholmes car park at the Upper Derwent Visitor Centre. Click here to see location on Google Maps, postcode S33 0AQ. All day parking is £6 (or £3.50 up to 2 hours). There are both cash and card payment machines.

WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Derwent Dam, finding carved woodland creatures and playing on sculptures.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: Adults will walk this in 30 minutes, but this walk is all about toddlers! So allow them to meander and explore for a good 2 hours.

ACCESSIBILTY: This walk is pram-friendly, although best to leave it at home so as not to tempt your toddler!

TOTAL ASCENT: 13 metres

FACILITIES: At Upper Derwent Visitors Centre there are toilets, and a small takeaway café with outdoor picnic benches.

The route

START: Fairholmes Car Park
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SK 1721 8940
Post code: S33 0AQ
what3words: ///tenders.perusing.scoots

Route follows a clockwise direction.

1. From Fairholmes car park, with the Visitors Centre on your left, follow the waymarked path toward Derwent Dam. This meets a lane to take you over the bridge, with Derwent Dam right in front of you.

2. Take the little footpath off the tarmac lane and onto the grass. You can walk right up to the dam wall.

3. Follow the dam wall all the way to the right, and then climb the steps to view the dam from the side.

4. Take the footpath behind you that crosses over the steps you just came up. Follow this away from the dam and to the tarmac lane.

5. At the tarmac lane, take the footpath to the right of the gate and then walk right down the lane.

6. Just before you cross back over the bridge, there’s a footpath into the woods on your left.

7. Walk straight ahead into the woods and find the first carved woodland creature.

8. Follow the nature trail in a clockwise loop, passing the carved train, which is a good snack stop overlooking the water.

9. On exiting the nature trail, take a left back up to the car park. Time for a nap.