The first part of the walk was flat and easy, taking in the dams on the Upper Derwent and Howden reservoirs. After Howden reservoir takes a left fork there is a footpath that turns of before the path around the reservoir takes a hairpin. From there a well defined path climbs steeply through the woods before emerging onto Birchinlee Moor /Pasture). The path then continues upwards (not quite as steep) past some grouse butts and with superb view across to Derwent edge on one side and the edge of Bleaklow to the right. eventually the path hits a right hand turn along the edge overlooking allport Castles.
I met a fellow walker at this point who wanted directions. He had never done this walk before and was on a planning mission for his walking group. I am getting better at this stuff and knew where he had gone wrong - he needed the path down the hillside to Allport farm - a walk I had done in reverse a couple of years ago.
From here I just followed the path along the ridge with fantastic views all around. Eventually, the path reached a crossroads and one of the choices was a concessionary path through the woods back down to Fairholmes and my car.
Terrific walk with easy navigation.
About 8 miles OS OL1 Dark Peak
