16k Run High Peak: Scenic Loop Around Derwent and Howden Reservoirs

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 16.0km loop offers a quintessential Peak District running experience, perfectly blending steady pacing with the rugged beauty of the High Peak. Starting on a predominantly tarmac surface for the outward half, you’ll tackle gradual, manageable climbs as you ascend to the levels of both the Derwent and Howden reservoirs. With a total ascent of 120m, it’s a "runnable" hilly course that avoids technical scrambles, instead providing wide, well-maintained paths. As you cross the bridge and return along the western shore, the terrain shifts into more natural woodland trails, offering a refreshing variety of underfoot textures before heading toward the finish.

Steeped in both natural beauty and wartime history, this area is most famous as the practice ground for the legendary "Dambusters" of the 617 Squadron during WWII. As you run past the massive neo-Gothic towers of the Derwent Dam, it’s easy to imagine the Lancaster bombers flying low over these same waters. The valley was transformed in the early 20th century by the flooding of the villages of Derwent and Ashopton to create these reservoirs; during particularly dry summers, the ruins of the old village can sometimes be seen peaking through the water. It’s a hauntingly beautiful backdrop for a long-distance training run in the heart of England's first National Park.