The Cycle Rides:
Each bike ride includes an introductory description, map, route directions (these are number referenced to the map), gradient profile, total height climbed along the route, plus information on where to park, pubs and cafes. |
Ladybower Reservoir
12km (7.5 miles)
A relatively quiet 'there and back' family bike ride.
Taking good wide tracks the route undulates along the shore of the reservoir with some lovely views over the water. |
Derwent Valley
16km (10 miles) with optional 8km (5 mile) extension
A superb and popular ride around the most famous reservoirs in the Peak District. Part on quiet tarmac, part on wide fairly smooth tracks.
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Parsley Hay
15km (9.5 miles)
An easy bike route almost entirely on smooth off road trails through the green countryside of the White Peak. |
Six Villages
11km (7 miles)
This relatively short ride links the villages of Hope, Aston, Thornhill, Bamford, Shatton & Brough. Most on quiet lanes and byways. The tracks are well surfaced so no need for a mountain bike. |
Macclesfield Forest
9km (5.5 miles)
Macclesfield Forest is a mysterious place home to deer, buzzards, standing stone and goodness knows what else. The forest bridleway is a fantastic hilly challenge. |
Goyt Valley
12km (7.5 miles)
Head along an easy trail through woodland climbing up and out of the valley before swinging back and climbing (for a long way!) up past Wingather Rocks for a sweeping descent back to the car. |
Tissington Trail
12km (7.5 miles)
A trip through the White Peak on well surfaced trails and tarmac, starting at the picturesque village of Tissington. |
Chelmorton
19km (12 miles)
This loop takes you on a loop around a high limestone plateau; so best saved for a clear day for some wonderful views. |
Middleton Top
22km (13.5 miles)
Roughly three-quarters off road this is a good easy going circuit, albeit quite a long one with a fair amount of climbing. The riding is never difficult and the climbs, although long, are not too steep. |
Hathersage
20km (12.5 miles)
Mostly on tarmac and mainly quiet stretches this bike route takes you through hamlets and farmsteads, hidden valley, great views and varied flora and fauna makes this a very rewarding leisure ride - pub included at the half way point. |
The Roaches
19km (12 miles)
This ride takes you though layers of the Peak District landscape, to the east of the Dane Valley, and under the watchful eye of the Roaches cliffs. The ride starts and finishes at a cafe. |
Litton
23km (14 miles)
A ride of dry dales, miles of stone walls, green pastures and idyllic villages and hamlets (with not too many hills). |
Longstone Edge and Eyham
18km (11 miles)
Suited more to confident riders (small sections on busy roads). This is a great bike route with some of the best views in the Peak District. Generally fun-riding with a fair amount of not to tricky off road. |
Linacre Woods
11km (7 miles)
Almost entirely off road, mixing up wide, open tracks with twisty stuff in the woods. There is a fair bit of climbing but that is matched up with plenty of downhills. |
Castleton
16km (10 miles)
Climb a road that fell down a hill, cruise around a high plateau, drop into and climb out of a picturesque dale then plummet back to the finish! |
Houndkirk
14km (9 miles)
A good introduction to the 'real' mountain biking the Peak District has to offer, but in relatively short doses and without any big hills. |
Bakewell
12km (7.5 miles)
Almost entirely off road this hilly loop is a 'proper' albeit short, mountain bike ride. Save it for dry weather to make the grassy sections easy going. |
Beeley Moor and Darley Dale
14.5km (9 miles)
A ride of two halves: off road through woods and up on the moors on quiet lanes. |
Family Riding:
The majority of rides above are not suitable for young children; so the book includes a section on where to take children/complete beginners out for a gentle ride. |
Ladybower & Derwent Reservoirs
Easy to tailor distance to what's required. You can go anything upto 20km.
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Carsington Water
A 13km (8 mile) circuit |
Linacre Reservoirs
About 3.5km (2 miles) with various options |
Wharncliffe Woods
A 5km (3 mile circuit)
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Raliway Rides:
The book also includes information on rides along former railway lines that are now recreational trails: |
| High Peak Trail |
| Monsal Trail |
| Longendale Trail |
| Sett Valley Trail |
| Tissington Trail |
| Manifold Trail |
