12k Run High Peak: Scenic Adventure Along Derwent Edge

Route Overview & Local Insights

Experience the rugged beauty of the Dark Peak on this 12.0km loop that takes you high above the Derwent Valley. Starting with a steady climb toward the gritstone escarpments of Derwent Edge, you’ll navigate a technical yet rewarding mix of peaty trails and wind-sculpted rock formations. With over 300m of ascent, including sections reaching above the 500m contour line, this route demands respect and solid footwork. Expect breathtaking panoramic views of the Ladybower Reservoir before a fast, technical descent from Back Tor leads you into a refreshing, flat paved finale along the water’s edge—perfect for flushing out the legs after the hilly moorland sections.

The High Peak is a landscape steeped in both natural majesty and aviation history. As you run along the edge, you are overlooking the very waters where the "Dambusters" of the 617 Squadron practiced their low-level flights during WWII. The gritstone tors you’ll pass, such as the Salt Cellar and Wheel Stones, have been carved over millennia by the harsh elements, serving as silent sentinels for generations of fell runners. Because of the exposed nature of the plateau, the microclimate here can shift from sunshine to mist in minutes; locals know to always carry a windproof layer, even when the valley feels warm.