Bamford Edge, situated high above the village of Bamford and overlooking Ladybower Reservoir, provides one of the best viewpoints in the Peak District.
A gentle uphill walk through the fern and bracken which coat the hillside, providing the perfect habitat for the ground nesting black grouse, brings you to the plateau on the top of the edge.
As you get close to the top, you will be walking through a post medieval quarry area, where you will be able to spot the remains of at least 3 partly carved mill stones. The quarry sits on the site of a much older structure, which is a cairn field dating back to the Iron Age. This is where fields were cleared of stones as farming methods were introduced, leaving several small piles of rocks.
Immediately, you will come to an overhanging rock which is hugely popular with visitors from China, inspired by posts in the Chinese Xiaohongshu ("Little Red Book") app. Keep walking along the edge, keeping parallel to Win Hill, and you will be rewarded by the famous view over the reservoir. This is a fantastic place to enjoy the sunset but is spectacular throughout the day. In clear conditions you should be able to pick out the towers of Derwent Dam further up the valley.
A gentle uphill walk through the fern and bracken which coat the hillside, providing the perfect habitat for the ground nesting black grouse, brings you to the plateau on the top of the edge.
As you get close to the top, you will be walking through a post medieval quarry area, where you will be able to spot the remains of at least 3 partly carved mill stones. The quarry sits on the site of a much older structure, which is a cairn field dating back to the Iron Age. This is where fields were cleared of stones as farming methods were introduced, leaving several small piles of rocks.
Immediately, you will come to an overhanging rock which is hugely popular with visitors from China, inspired by posts in the Chinese Xiaohongshu ("Little Red Book") app. Keep walking along the edge, keeping parallel to Win Hill, and you will be rewarded by the famous view over the reservoir. This is a fantastic place to enjoy the sunset but is spectacular throughout the day. In clear conditions you should be able to pick out the towers of Derwent Dam further up the valley.
