Crook Hill Walk: Quiet Ladybower Circular Route

BySteffan Updated on

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The Crook Hill walk from Ladybower Reservoir is one of the most rewarding quieter routes in the Peak District.. This quieter circular route begins with a relaxed stroll along the reservoir before gradually climbing Crook Hill, where sweeping views open across Ladybower Reservoir and the surrounding Peak District hills.

This walk suits hikers who enjoy longer routes with some uphill effort and don’t mind navigating gates, fields, and mixed terrain. While technically straightforward, sections can become steep and muddy, especially after rain, so it’s not quite the easy reservoir stroll many visitors expect.

Purple heather in bloom covers the foreground on Derwent Edge in the Peak District during late August. Rolling patchwork fields stretch across the valley toward the rounded summit of Crook Hill under soft golden evening light and layered clouds.
The view over Crook Hill in late August

Crook Hill Walk At A Glance

This Crook Hill route is one of the most scenic Ladybower Reservoir walks if you’re looking to escape the busiest paths.

Distance: 14.5 km
Time required: 3 hours 22 minutes (fast pace with stops)
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 328 m
Route type: Circular

Start location: Ladybower Dam / Yorkshire Bridge Inn
Postcode: S33 0AZ
Coordinates: 53.3645, -1.6952
Parking situation: Limited roadside parking and nearby car parks
Postcode: S33 0AZ

Toilets: Free toilets can be found at Heatherdene car park before the hike
Food nearby: Yorkshire Bridge Inn & Ladybower Inn
Dog friendly: Yes (dogs should be kept on a lead in places)
Child friendly: Suitable for older children used to longer walks
Navigation difficulty: Moderate — several important turns

Terrain: Reservoir path, forest trails, fields, rocky tracks, road crossings
Mud level: High after rain (check Met Office for weather conditions)
Phone signal: Pretty good throughout the hike
Best season: Year-round (expect mud in wetter months)

Best for: Quiet Peak District hiking, varied scenery, photographers
Not ideal for: Pushchairs, very muddy conditions, beginners wanting a flat walk

Crook Hill Walk map

This map shows the full Crook Hill route starting near Ladybower Dam, including the climb past Haggs Farm and the Crook Hill summit section.

What Is Crook Hill?

Crook Hill is a distinctive double-summit hill located above Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District National Park. The hill sits between the Hope Valley and the Upper Derwent Valley and offers wide views across Mam Tor, Win Hill, and the surrounding moorland landscape.

Crook Hill sits close to several well known Peak District landmarks including Ladybower Reservoir, Win Hill, Mam Tor, and the scenic Snake Pass road. Because of its location between the Hope Valley and Upper Derwent Valley, the hill offers excellent views across some of the most famous landscapes in the Peak District.

Parking & Getting There

I parked near the Yorkshire Bridge Inn at the free parking lay-by and started the walk by heading towards Ladybower Dam. Parking around Ladybower can be extremely busy, so arriving early gives you the best chance of finding a spot.

The next parking option is Heatherdene Car Park. This is a paid car park with well maintained toilets and a water fountain where you can fill your bottle before setting off.

If you park here, walk past the toilet block and follow the main path towards the reservoir. You’ll soon arrive at Ladybower Dam. It’s pretty unmistakable once you see it.

Heatherdene Car Park Prices:

2 hours: £3.50
4 hours: £6.00
Maximum stay: £7.00

Crook Hill Walk Route Overview

This Crook Hill circular walk combines reservoir paths, woodland climbs and open countryside. The walk begins with classic Ladybower Reservoir views before gradually leaving the busy areas behind.

The route follows the water as it narrows into a river, climbs steeply through woodland towards Haggs Farm, crosses open countryside over Crook Hill, and then descends back toward the reservoir for an easy finish along the shoreline paths.

It’s a varied loop that feels far quieter than the main Ladybower walks.

The Crook Hill Walk – Step By Step

Start by walking across Ladybower Dam. On the far side, there’s an excellent viewpoint overlooking the pool and dam which is a great early photo opportunity.

Water cascades into the circular plughole spillway at Ladybower Dam, forming a dramatic swirling funnel in the middle of the reservoir. The stone dam wall and moody, cloud filled sky frame the scene, highlighting the power and engineering of this iconic Peak District landmark.
Looking back over Ladybower Dam and the Plughole

Continue along the path that follows the water. There are some small turn offs on the path but ignore them until you see the metal bridge crossing the river. There will also be a sign that says you’re not on a circular route. Ignore it! You know better because you’ve read this blog.

A yellow warning sign beside a woodland path at Ladybower Reservoir reads Walkers and Cyclists Please Be Aware. This track is not a circular route of the reservoir. There is no footway or cycleway on the A57. Bare trees and rolling hills form the natural Peak District backdrop behind the sign.
Ignore this sign. You know better…

After roughly 5.5 km, you’ll reach a fork:
• A metal bridge crosses the river on the right
• A woodland path signposted Haggs Farm heads left

Take the left path towards Haggs Farm.

A muddy fork in a woodland trail near Ladybower Reservoir is marked with a large yellow arrow pointing left up a narrow uphill path. Bare trees and winter grass surround the junction, highlighting the direction walkers should take along the countryside route.
Take the path to the left signposted Haggs Farm

You now begin climbing into the forest. This section is steep and, after rain, can be very muddy and slippery. Continue uphill until reaching a wooden gate. Immediately after the gate, take the right-hand downhill path.

A muddy trail splits at a woodland junction, with a large yellow arrow pointing right toward a lower path beside a fence and small bridge. Bare trees and sloping hillsides frame the countryside setting, guiding walkers along the route
Take the path that goes over the bridge and through the metal gate

Follow the trail to another junction where three paths meet. Go right towards a metal gate and continue through it.

The path leads you to a crossing over the A57 (Snake Pass). Cross the road carefully!

A muddy gravel path leads between wooden fences toward a small road, where a car passes at the edge of the woodland. Moss covered banks and tall bare trees frame the scene, showing a transition point along the walking route near Ladybower Reservoir.
Take care crossing the road. Cars travel at high speeds down it

Continue uphill toward Haggs Farm Centre, but instead of turning left into the centre, continue straight through a metal gate.

A muddy road curves uphill through woodland toward a metal farm gate, with a large yellow arrow pointing straight ahead. Mossy banks, wooden fencing and tall bare trees frame the rural junction, marking the next direction on the walking route near Ladybower Reservoir.

You’ll now climb a rocky track through open hillside. Pass another wooden gate and continue uphill through thorny bushes. Watch out here as mountain bikers descend quickly along this track.

A wooden farm gate blocks a rocky uphill track bordered by moss covered stone walls and wire fencing. The uneven path continues beyond the gate through open countryside, marking a rural section of the walking route near Ladybower Reservoir.
Pass through the gate at the top of the hill to an open field

Around 7 km into the walk, you’ll reach a signposted crossroads. Turn right towards Crook Hill.

A rocky uphill path winds between low green shrubs and a wire fence, leading toward a wooden signpost on open moorland. A lone tree stands ahead on the bend, marking a more exposed section of the countryside walking route.
Take a right at the signpost towards Crook Hill


From here, views open dramatically to your right, including Mam Tor and surrounding hills.

Rolling green hills stretch into the distance under a wide grey sky, with patchwork fields and dense woodland filling the valley below. A wooden fence runs along the foreground, framing the expansive Peak District landscape from an elevated viewpoint.
Take in the views of Mam Tor and the surrounding hills in the distance

Walk to the end of the field where the path narrows between a metal gate on the right and a wooden gate ahead.

A grassy farm track runs across open fields beside a fence line and dense woodland, with a large yellow arrow pointing straight ahead along the route. Two distant walkers can be seen near the trees, highlighting the direction across the countryside path.
Head towards the left corner of the field

Go through the wooden gate, then immediately keep right through another wooden gate into a field.

Important:
Do not take the forest path — stay walking through the open field.

A muddy path leads downhill beside a metal farm gate, with a large yellow arrow pointing forward through the gateway. Dense evergreen trees line the left side while open fields stretch out beyond the fence, marking the route across the countryside.
After the first gate keep right and go through the other wooden gate

Continue across multiple fields, passing through wooden gates and following the stone wall with Crook Hill on the opposite side. Walk along the left-hand side of the two Crook Hill peaks. Navigation here is straightforward if you keep the wall to your right.

A wooden gate set between tall stone pillars and dry stone walls opens onto a grassy path leading toward a small rocky hill in the distance. Muddy ground in the foreground shows the well worn route across open moorland under a grey sky.
Walk to the left side of Crook Hill after the gate

This area provides excellent photography compositions using the rocky features of Crook Hill as foreground against the valley beyond.

Eventually, crest the hill and you’ll see Ladybower Reservoir ahead. Descend toward the visible house on your right and follow the footpath through a metal gate.

A muddy farm track curves downhill beside a dry stone wall and metal gate, with a wooden signpost marking the route. In the distance, a reservoir winds through the valley below, framed by rolling hills and woodland under a grey sky.
Follow the footpath sign through the metal gate

Walk diagonally across fields, passing several gates and crossing a farmyard track beside a large barn. Continue through further gates and fields until reaching the A57 Snake Pass again.

A quiet country road curves through woodland with double yellow lines along the edge and a 50 speed limit sign ahead. Two walkers stand on the grassy verge near a signpost, marking a roadside section of the route beneath tall trees and a grey sky.
Once you get down to the road take a left at the main road (snake pass) and cross the bridge

Cross the road bridge over Ladybower Reservoir, then cross to the right-hand side of the road. Follow the path alongside the reservoir until reaching a junction with another bridge.

A shared cycle path runs alongside a busy road with a red traffic light overhead and white bicycle symbols painted on the tarmac. Cars wait at the junction ahead, and a blue sign indicates the designated route for cyclists and pedestrians through the valley.
Take a right at this junction going over another bridge

Cross this bridge and continue with the reservoir on your right. Stay on this easy lakeside path which eventually leads back toward Heatherdene Car Park and onward to your original parking location.

A shared pedestrian and cycle lane runs alongside a lakeside road, with white bicycle and walking symbols painted on the tarmac. Parked cars line the verge beneath tall trees, while sunlight glints off the reservoir beyond the stone wall.
Passing Heatherdene Car Park on the left. There is a toilet here

Mistakes I Made / What I’d Do Differently

The first time I attempted this walk, I turned back after seeing a sign stating the route was not a circular walk. After later discovering the correct continuation, I realised the full circular route is absolutely possible. So ignore that sign if you’re following this route.

I’d also strongly recommend wearing hiking boots if it has rained. The forest climb becomes extremely muddy and slippery.

A narrow muddy path winds uphill between moss covered stone walls and bare winter trees, with scattered rocks embedded in the trail. Fallen leaves and bright green moss add texture to the woodland setting, capturing a quiet countryside walk near Ladybower Reservoir.

Photography Tips 📷

The dam itself provides one of the best early photo opportunities of the walk, especially looking back toward the pool and surrounding buildings.

The views from Crook Hill stretch across Ladybower Reservoir, the Hope Valley and surrounding Peak District hills.

Crook Hill also works well as a foreground subject, using its rocky textures to frame the valley beyond. Unfortunately, I visited in overcast conditions and skipped shooting here, but in better light this would be a standout photography location.

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Who The Crook Hill Walk Is For

The Crook Hill Walk is ideal for hikers who want a quieter Ladybower experience while still enjoying classic Peak District scenery.

It’s well suited to:
• Regular walkers looking for a longer circular route
• Photographers wanting varied viewpoints
• Anyone wanting to escape the busiest reservoir paths

Less suited to:
• Families with young children
• Walkers expecting a flat reservoir loop
• Very wet weather days without proper footwear

Facilities & Things To Know

There are fishing spots along the river section, and you may see anglers parking along nearby lanes.

Sheep graze along parts of the trail, which is why dogs should be kept on a lead in certain areas.

Expect mountain bikers on some descending tracks — stay alert when walking uphill sections.

Road crossings along the A57 Snake Pass require care due to traffic.

FAQS

Is crook hill walk busy?

The paths near Ladybower Reservoir can be busy, but the Crook Hill section of the walk is usually much quieter once you leave the main shoreline paths.

Is crook hill walk circular?

Yes. Despite signage suggesting otherwise at one point, there is a circular route to walk along Ladybower reservoir and over Crook Hill

Do you need hiking boots for crook hill Walk?

Highly recommended after rain due to steep, muddy forest trails.

Where do you park for the Crook Hill walk?

Most walkers park near Ladybower Dam, Heatherdene Car Park, or roadside lay-bys near the Yorkshire Bridge Inn.

Is Crook Hill difficult?

The walk is moderately challenging due to distance and elevation, but the terrain is straightforward for experienced walkers.

How Long Does the Crook Hill Walk Take?

The Crook Hill walk typically takes between 3 and 4 hours depending on pace and stops for photos.

Final Verdict ✅

The Crook Hill walk is one of the best ways to experience Ladybower beyond the busy shoreline paths. You still get the iconic reservoir scenery, but combined with woodland climbs, open hill walking, and peaceful countryside sections.

If you enjoy longer walks with varied terrain and fewer crowds, this is an excellent Peak District loop that rewards the extra effort.

If you’re exploring the area, you may also want to check out my other walks around Crook Hill below 👇

See More of the Peak district

More UK Inspiration

Steffan, a bearded man with long, curly hair tied back, stands on a white wooden bridge holding a professional camera with a large lens. He wears a blue and green insulated jacket, a yellow bandana around his neck, and carries a black backpack with photography gear. Behind him, colorful houses in shades of pink, green, and blue are built on a hillside, with bright natural light casting a warm glow on the scene.

I’m Steffan, the founder of InWanderment, a travel and photography blog dedicated to sharing my experiences and insights from around the world.

I’m a self-taught photographer with a passion for helping others explore the outdoors through photography. My goal is to make capturing the beauty of nature feel accessible to everyone — whether you’re shooting with a professional camera or just your phone.

Now back in the UK after 18 months of travel across Asia, I’m focusing on creating new content, editing thousands of photos, and sharing everything I’ve learned along the way to inspire others to get outside and start shooting.