Peak District
Upper Hey
446M
1463FT
About Upper Hey
Overlooking the dark waters of Howden Reservoir, this quiet gritstone shoulder offers a solitary alternative to the busier paths of the Derwent Valley. The terrain is classic Dark Peak—thick heather and peat—rewarding those who explore its pathless top with wide views toward the high plateau of Kinder Scout.
Key Statistics
Rank
113th Highest in Peak District
Parent Range
The Peak District
Prominence
?
31
Nearest Town
Sheffield
Geology
Upper Hey is built upon the Hebden Formation, a sturdy blend of sandstone, mudstone, and siltstone that forms the ground beneath your boots.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SK177942
Latitude
53.4443°N
Longitude
1.7350°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'Hey' is rooted in the Old English 'gehaeg', meaning an enclosure or a fenced-in area of land, suggesting this high moorland once served as rough grazing ground for local farms.
- •From the summit, walkers are treated to an excellent profile of the long spine of Howden Edge and a clear view north toward Margery Hill, the highest point in South Yorkshire.
- •The hill sits directly above the Derwent Valley reservoirs, which were famously used as the practice site for the 617 'Dambusters' Squadron during the Second World War.
- •Though it is classified as a Tump (a hill with at least 30 metres of prominence), it is often bypassed by hikers sticking to the more established paths that run along the edge of the plateau.
- •Successfully navigating the labyrinth of peat hags that guard the summit is a classic Peak District exercise in finding out exactly where your boots' waterproofing ends and your socks begin.