The Upper Derwent Valley

		The two upper reservoirs in the Upper Derwent Valley, Derwent and Howden reservoirs, were used to film sequences in the film "The Dambusters". They were indeed used in the second world war for practice for the Dambusters raid on Germany.
		Today this area is a haven for walkers and cyclists wanting to get away from the rush and bustle. The only road up the valley goes nowhere and the section above Fairholmes is closed to traffic at weekends. The other route is a wide, quiet track which goes almost all the way to Slippery Stones.
		At Slippery Stones is the bridge that used to cross the river in Ashopton village, now in ruins beneath the water of Ladybower reservoir. This ancient packhorse bridge was transported stone by stone and rebuilt here in the solitude of these hills and valleys.
		Few people venture further than Slippery Stones, but for those who do there is the delight of a haven of real quiet and solitude to be relished, all too rare in today's hectic world. The valley gradually becomes narrower and shallower until, eventually, it emerges onto the barren moorland at the source of the river Derwent.
		Unless you are competent with map and compass in such desolate country, the only way back is to retrace your steps.