Ramsden Reservoir walk, including a pub-stop (4.2km, circular)

In the far north-eastern tip of Yorkshire’s Peak District, this circular Ramsden Reservoir walk offers lots of variety to keep all family members happy; there’s the beautiful views over the reservoir itself, woodland and streams to play in, open pastures, and even a pub-stop enroute.

This is quite a hilly route with lots of ups and downs as you pass between streams, but it never feels a slog due to all the natural play distractions and gorgeous views. Indeed, allow a good 3-4 hours for this walk, even though it’s only 4km.

Ramsden Reservoir walk Map

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.

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	The Peak District: Dark Peak Area | Weatherproof | Peak…	£13.45	Buy on Amazon

This walk follows the below map in a clockwise direction.

The route

START: Brownhill Lane Car Park
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SE 1150 0563
Post code: HD9 2QE
what3words: ///harmonica.churn.spots

Route follows a clockwise direction.

1. From the car park, take the footpath that leads through the woods up the hill, alongside a little stream. After 20 metres when you reach a picnic table on you right, cross over the stream and continue uphill along the footpath.

2. At the footpath junction, take a right. Then a right again at the next junction, to walk downhill through the pine trees. 

3. At the bottom of the hill, take a left in front of the house. Follow the lane around to the right to cross over the reservoir. 

4. Once you’re over the other side of the dam wall, continue straight ahead. 300 meters from the end of the dam is a stile on your right. Cross over this. 

5. Keeping the drystone wall immediately on your right, follow the footpath downhill from the stile. Then take a left alongside the barbwire fence down to the a stream. This stream feeds into Ramsden Reservoir. 

6. Cross over the footbridge (kids may want to find a way across using the rock in the stream). Then follow the arrowed footpath up the hill the other side. 

7. At the top of the hill, immediately In front of the drystone wall, take a sharp left and follow this footpath towards the mobilephone mast. After 200 metres, the footpath bears around to the right following a derelict drystone wall, very gradually ascending. 

8. When you reach the wooden stile at the top of the hill, climb over and continue straight ahead. Keep the derelict drystone wall on your immediate left and follow it as it bears rights towards Holme. 

9. Cross over another wooden stile and head into the woods, following the stone steps steeply downhill. This leads to a footbridge over a stream. Continue the footpath uphill, on the other side of the footbridge. 

10. The footpath leading up from the footbridge passes through a few wooden gates, and alongside a residential garden, before leading out onto a road. At the road, you will see The Fleece Inn just to the right. This is a lovely pub to stop in for refreshments or a bite to eat. If you are not stopping at the pub and need the toilet, there are public toilets across the road from the pub. 

11. From The Fleece, continue along the road with the pub on your left. Just after the road bears round to the right, there is a footpath sign on your right. Take this footpath and follow it downhill. 

12. Follow the arrows and walk down the stone steps to take a right towards a wooden stile. Climb over the stile and follow the footpath down to a footbridge over a waterfall. This is a great spot for a paddle (upstream from the bridge). 

13. From the footbridge, follow the footpath to the left. This leads uphill for a short section and then levels out, before heading downhill at the footpath arrow signs. 

14. Ramsden Reservoir soon comes back into view. Follow the arrows downhill to the reservoir, with railings either side of you. Then cross over the dam wall. 

15. Walk up the steps on the other side of the dam and continue the along the path to the left. Then take a right along the road to the car park to complete this circular Ramsden Reservoir walk.