Upper Derwent Valley Trail
Start point - Fairholmes car park, Derwent, Hope Valley, S33 0AQ
An 18-mile circuit around the Ladybower, Derwent and Howden reservoirs. The circuit can be done in part or as a whole (a high level of fitness is required to do the whole of the trail). A cycle-hire centre at Fairholmes offers disability-adapted cycles and a mobility scooter which can be booked at Fairholmes Cycle Hire.
This trail is part of 64 miles of trails accessible to disabled people and parents with buggies across the National Park.
The setting offers beautiful views of water, woodland, farmland and moorland, with a variety of birdlife. The dams are associated with wartime history – the Dambusters used them for navigation practice.
Rascal scooter for hire
Mapleton Lane
Ashbourne
Derbyshire
DE6 2AA
01335 343156
www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/cycle-hire-centres/ashbourne
Tramper Mark 2, a Rascal scooter and an electric hand cycle for hire
Fairholmes Carpark
Derwent
Bamford
Hope Valley
S33 0AQ
01433 651261
www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/cycle-hire-centres/derwent
Fairholmes Cycle Hire Centre
01433 651261
derwent.cyclehire@peakdistrict.gov.uk
Accessible parking: Six disabled car park spaces at Fairholmes, plus free parking for Blue-Badge holders. The car park gets busy at weekends.
Accessible WC: Toilets are available at Fairholmes.
Grounds access: The 18-mile trail has an undulating, almost continuous hard surface – many stretches are easy-access but the north-eastern edge is quite steep. The road beyond Fairholmes is closed to traffic on summer weekends and Sundays throughout the year. Minibuses operate at these times.
