Slippery Stones walk (linear, 2.8km): pram friendly

Slippery Stones is a beautiful stone bridge over the River Derwent, north of Howden Reservoir. It’s a lovely spot for a picnic and wild swim on a warm day, and the footpath to get here from the road is pram-friendly.

This Slippery Stones walk is one of our shorter pram-friendly walks in the Peak District, and affords incredible scenery. But not only is the walk stunning, the drive to get to the start is equally stunning; the narrow road winds along the western shore of Derwent and Howden Reservoirs through the pine forest. This is especially striking in the autumnal months.

Please note that the road to get to the start of this walk is closed on Sundays (and sometimes in icy weather conditions). If the road is closed you have to park at the Upper Derwent Visitor Centre (10km away).

This is a linear walk (1.4km each way). However, you can continue along the footpath that loops right around Howden Reservoir and then Derwent Reservoir. The full loop is 16.4km and pram friendly, with 6.7km along road and a few steep hills along the way.

On the drive back back Derwent Reservoir, it’s worth pulling in and stopping at the Upper Derwent Visitor Centre to do the short walk up to the front of the Derwent Dam(very impressive in full flow). There’s also a short nature trail here with carved woodland creatures. This too is pram friendly, and there are also toilets and a café. Or you may like to do our pram friendly circular Ladybower Reservoir walk, which starts from the Upper Derwent Visitor Centre.

Slippery Stones 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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This Slippery Stones walk is a linear walk.

Get a printable download of this walk

Need to know

DISTANCE OF WALK: 2.8km (1.4km each way) | 1.2 mile (1.1 mile each way)

TYPE OF WALK: linear, woodland, pram friendly

PARKING: Parking is at the end of the road along the western shoreline of Howden Reservoir. Turn your car around the small roundabout and park on the layby on the left. Click here for location on Google Maps, postcode S33 0BB. Please aim to arrive early on sunny Saturdays and school holidays as parking is limited.

WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Views across Howden Reservoir, pine forest, Slippery Stones bridge, and a paddle (or dip!) in the River Derwent.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: Allow 1.5 hours total for this walk, longer if the kids want a paddle and you’re bringing a picnic.

TOTAL ASCENT: 33 metres

ACCESSIBILTY: Pram friendly gravel footpath with a slight incline. There are no stiles.

FACILITIES: There are no facilities at the start of this walk or on this walk. For toilets and café, stop at Upper Derwent Visitor Centre on the way to or from the walk starting point.

The route

START: End of road along western side of Howden Reservoir
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SK 1677 9387
Post code: S33 0BB
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This is a linear walk.

1. Follow the footpath that continues from the end of the road. Please note that dogs must a kept on leads at all times.

2. Cross the stream and continue the path straight ahead and uphill. This footpath levels out.

3. Keep continuing straight ahead until you meet two wooden gates and Slippery Stones Bridge comes into view. Walk through the closest wooden gate on the right and follow this down to the bridge.

4. You can continue along the footpath over the other side of Slippery Stone Bridge. This leads right around both Howden and Derwent Reservoirs in a loop back to your car (16.4km, pram friendly). Otherwise, if it’s just a short pram friendly walk today, turn back around and follow your footsteps back to the car.