Ladybower Reservoir Circular Walk

Ladybower Reservoir Circular Walk is rated 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, making it one of the better options in the Peak District for a day out with your dog. The route is long but the gradients are gentle, the surfaces are mostly tracks and quiet tarmac, and there are no livestock concerns on the main loop, which all adds up to a relaxed experience for you and your dog.

Dogs can largely be off lead on the forest tracks that make up much of the route, which is great news for energetic dogs who like to explore. You will need to put them back on the lead for the road sections around the viaducts and when passing the dam walls, but these are relatively short stretches in an otherwise open walk.

The main practical point is to bring your own water for your dog, as the reservoir water is not suitable for drinking. It is also worth arriving early if you are visiting on a sunny weekend, as the Fairholmes car park can fill by mid morning, with overflow parking spilling onto the verges around Ashopton — a midweek visit will be noticeably quieter. On the plus side, Fairholmes has toilets, a cafe and picnic tables, so it makes a solid basecamp for the day.