Howden Moor & Howden Edge

Tucked away in the rugged heart of the Peak District’s Dark Peak, Howden Moor and Howden Edge form one of the wildest, least-disturbed upland landscapes in England. This remote expanse of heather moorland, peat bog, and gritstone outcrops is a haven for wildlife such as mountain hares, golden plovers, and short-eared owls. Rising to over 550 metres, Howden Edge offers sweeping views across the Upper Derwent Valley and towards Bleaklow.

Start the walk at Kings Tree on the north side of Howden reservoir in Hope Valley and go through the gate ahead.

Note: Park along the roadside just before you get to the tree. Due to road closures, you’ll need to cycle here from Fairholmes car park at Derwent dam on weekends and bank holidays, which takes up to 30 minutes (e-bike is recommended and can be hired at the car park).

Follow the woodlands path for about 15 minutes, heading north along the reservoir until the path splits into two.

Both paths lead to the same place. The footpath on the right takes you on a longer route along the stream. Follow the left side path signposted ‘cycle route to slippery stones’, a popular wild swimming area nearby.

You’ll get to a small gate in the image above. Go through and cross the bridge to Derwent Estate and keep following the main path to the left.

This leads to another smaller bridge crossing over to Howden Moor hills on your right.

When you reach the National Trust ‘Howden Moor’ sign, take the left path signposted ‘walkers only’.

Note: you will come back out to this spot from the bridleway pointing to the right later on.

As you go around the hill, the main path will split with a wooden public footpath signpost ahead. Veer off to the right to hike to the top of the Howden Moors. The path will get increasingly steep and narrow as you go up. Once the hill bends around to the right you just need to go straight up.

Use the big gritstone rocks in front (see image above) above as a reference. Once you reach them, take a well deserved break and soak up some amazing views. Once you’re ready, keep heading up in the same direction.

After a minute of navigating very faint paths buried in the shrubs, you’ll get to an established dirt path. Follow to the path to the right.

Keep going to the rocks in the above picture. Notice Howden Edge behind it in the distance.

Keep following the path. Stop off at the rocks if you want to enjoy more sweeping views. There are some small gully’s you may need to cross that were dried up on this walk but could be up to a metre wide during rainfall. This area is also home to lots of wildlife, including hares, big birds, and unfortunately lots of midges during the height of summer.

You eventually come out onto a more established footpath and a pile of stones. Take a right turn to gradually descend back down the moorlands towards the bridleway.

Note: The path also goes to Howden Edge if you go left and then right towards to the top. Some hikers (and mountain bikers) go straight up the bridleway in step 2 on a Howden Edge walk but sadly this means missing out on the best of the vibrant moorlands in August. Notice how the scenery becomes more gritty in the image above crossing over the path towards Howden Edge. If you want to extend the walk to include it, simply follow the path up and across the edge and then eventually loop back down to the right to eastern Howden reservoir before making your way back to Derwent Estate in the north at step 5.

Keep following the stoned path straight down.

It will eventually turn into a dirt path and then bend to the left. The grasslands below in the distance (see picture above) is where you came from at the National Trust sign in step 2.

The path will split. Stick to the right, going down into the bridleway in the picture above. Follow the stream straight on at the bottom. You’ll need to step over a narrow flow of water. After a short while, you’ll come out on the grasslands with the small bridge ahead that you originally crossed to Howden Moor. Go back across and follow the path.

When the path splits, stick to the right and go over the other bridge you came from in step 1. Now all you need to do is follow the same path back to Kings Tree.

Note: the sloped cycle route on the left in the above picture is where you will come out if you go to Howden Edge instead in step 4 and loop back up the reservoir.