The top of the Howden reservoir has some very rough, sometimes wet, and wild moorland. But don't be put off as there is a special magic to this area of the Peak District. The walk starts at King's Tree with a walk up the track of the Upper Derwent valley. The climb up Hoar Clough gets to the ridge around the valley. Then it is over some often wet land to Swains Head, around Swains Greave and onto find the source of the Derwent. From here, there is a vist to Grinah and Barrow Stones, both impressive rock features, before the descent to the valley bottom down Lower Small Clough, and back to Kings Tree alongside the River Derwent.

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From Kings Tree take the track north through the forest to reach Slippery Stones by the pack horse bridge over the Derwent. Cross the bridge and follow the path north. At the signpost, and path junction continue north along the direction of the Derwent. The path to the right leads to Cut Gate. After some 3km the track gives way to a path, but continue to follow the path north. After another 1km the path starts to diverge from the river and starts to climb up Hoar Clough. Follow the path up the true left bank of the clough until it starts to flattens out. You will see Shepherds Meeting Stones on the opposite bank of the clough. Follow the path, as shown on the map to reach the path along the ridge. There are great views from here, most surprising is the view of the lorries driving along the Woodhead Pass; so near but also so far. The rest of the route can be seen from here, across the top of the Derwent, onto Grinah and Barrow Stones. (5.5kms. 240m. 2hrs. 10min.)

The path along the top of the ridge around the top of the Derwent can be wet, but these days, with the management of the moors, it is not as wet as it has been in the past. Walk west along the path around the top of the Derwent to reach Swains Head. Continue west along the line of stakes, and then south around Swains Grieve. At the col at SK124968 in the middle of a moor, it is time to break off to find the two small lakes and then onto the top of the moor at point 595. From here walk south to get to Grinah Stones. It is worth paying close attention to the navigation aids, map and compass or OS phone app whilst walking away from the ridge as navigation can be difficult and it is necessary to know where you are at all times on this empty moor. From the top of Grinah Stones, the stones look fantastic, some work of modern art? It is worth exploring around where the walker will see a significant edge of gritstone rocks on the west side of Grinah Stones. This edge is more broken than the edges around Stanage but nevertheless very impressive. There are extensive views from here including the Eastern Edges, down the Derwent Valley and over to Kinder. (4.5kms. 100m. 1hrs. 30min.)

The target once you leave Grinah Stones is Barrow Stones, via the source of the Derwent. Follow the path that contours around the hillside towards Barrow Stones. Just prior to Barrow Stones get the navigation equipment out again to navigate to the source of the Derwent at SK132967. The source is marked by a small white signpost. There are views north from here but the moor cuts out the views south. From here navigate back to Barrow Stones. Once Barrow Stones is reached it is worth exploring around to see the many fine rock sculptures in the area. Looking south from here is a vista that takes in Derwent Edge, Kinder, Bleaklow and much of the northern Peak District. Ahead is Round Hill, walk down hill towards Round Hill and get to a small gate in the fence that surrounds Bleaklow. Through the gate and onto Round Hill. There is a good round shelter marking the summit. Descend Round Hill via the stony path then follow the faint path over the moor to the start of Black Dike Drain. Just after the start of the Drain, there is a track (on the right) climbing up from the Westend and one (on the left) down Lower Small Clough (SK141955). Follow the well marked track down Lower Small Clough. Soon the walker reaches the shooting cabins in Lower Small Clough. Continue down the clough on the path to reach the main valley. Walk upstream for a few meters to find a safe place to cross the Derwent. Once across, climb the grassy slopes steeply to reach the main track along the Upper Derwent Valley. Follow this good track alongside the River Derwent down to Slippery Stones bridge and then back to Kings Tree. (8.0kms. 50m. 2hrs. 30min.)

11th October 2024 It was a great autumn day for a walk, blue sky all morning. Rather than the full, walk I walked up to Barrow Stones and Grinah Stones via Black Dyke Drain. Once on the top I had to search about for the source of the Derwent. In the process I saw a lot of environmental work taking palace over the moors. From Grinah Stones I followed this walk back to Barrow stones, Round Hill and the Derwent Valley. It was a great walk (albeit shorter than described) in lovely autumn sunshine.