The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Ogston Reservoir

Ogston Reservoir offers hundreds of hiking routes suitable for families. On komoot, you'll find over 600 trails, with more than 340 rated as easy and nearly 300 as moderate, ensuring there's a perfect adventure for every family.

Family walks around Ogston Reservoir feature a delightful mix of terrain. You can expect waterside paths, open farmlands, tranquil woodlands, and gentle ascents into the rolling hills of the Amber Valley. This variety ensures continuously changing scenery and engaging walks for all ages.

Yes, there are several easy and shorter options. For a pleasant, relatively flat walk, consider the Ogston Reservoir West Car Park – Ogston Sailing Club loop. This route is about 4.6 km (2.9 miles) long with minimal elevation gain, making it ideal for families with younger children or those looking for a gentle stroll.

The area boasts numerous scenic spots. Higher vantage points offer expansive panoramic views of the reservoir and the Derbyshire countryside. Carr Wood provides shaded paths and is a haven for wildlife, especially beautiful with bluebells in spring. The reservoir itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), offering picturesque water views and opportunities for birdwatching. You might also spot remnants of the area's historical past, such as old stone walls.

Many of the trails around Ogston Reservoir are dog-friendly, making it a great place for a family outing with your canine companion. However, as you'll be passing through farmlands and areas with wildlife, it's always best to keep dogs on a lead, especially near livestock or nesting birds, and to follow local signage.

Ogston Reservoir is beautiful year-round, but spring and autumn are particularly delightful for family hikes. In spring, Carr Wood is vibrant with bluebells, and migrating birds are active. Autumn brings stunning foliage colors to the woodlands. Summer offers warmer weather for waterside activities, while winter walks can be crisp and quiet, though some paths might be muddy.

Absolutely! Many of the family-friendly trails around Ogston Reservoir are circular, allowing you to start and end at the same point without retracing your steps. A popular option is the Ogston Reservoir loop, which is about 7.8 km (4.8 miles) and offers diverse scenery around the water.

There are several parking options available around Ogston Reservoir. Many routes, such as the Ogston Reservoir West Car Park – Ogston Sailing Club loop, start from designated car parks, making access convenient for families. Always check the specific route details for recommended starting points and parking information.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 3,300 ratings. Reviewers often praise the diverse landscapes, the peaceful waterside paths, the abundance of wildlife, and the well-maintained trails that make for enjoyable family adventures.

While the immediate reservoir area is primarily natural, there are cafes and pubs in the nearby villages and towns surrounding Ogston Reservoir where families can find refreshments and meals after their hike. These local establishments offer a chance to relax and refuel.

Ogston Reservoir is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a haven for wildlife. Families can look forward to excellent birdwatching opportunities, with over 200 recorded bird species, including migrating birds and various wildfowl. Keep an eye out for potential sightings of deer, foxes, and other woodland creatures, especially in areas like Carr Wood.