CLASSIC ROUTES
Route Grade: hard. Distance 12km
A fantastic mountain bike route, mainly singletrack with some good descents and one of the hardest climbs in this guide.
Route Grade: hard. Distance 13.75km
From Hope the route heads up Edale before climbing the rocky lane on the side of Win Hill. A great descent down to Aston, across the valley to Brough, rocky climb then descent to Bradwell and cooling down run in to Hope.
Route Grade: medium. Distance: 17km
A good mountain bike circuit to do when all the rest of the Peak is sitting under a veil of mud. Plenty of fast sections. This circuit is a good winter trip or indeed a good beginners route.
Route Grade: hard. Distance: 23km
Plenty of singletrack and mud in the off-season makes this a 'love or hate it' ride depending on the conditions. Combine with Holymoorside (see lower down) for a full day out.
Route Grade: medium. Distance: 17.5km
Warming on a quiet lane then dropping to Long Dale, up then down to Middleton. Good fast lanes, well-surfaced disused railways with enough hills to keep the legs interested.
Route Grade: medium. Distance: 11.5km
An ideal introduction to mountain biking and a great night route. This short route gives a flavour for everything the Peak stands for. Essentially a circuit of several huge quarries it also takes in the village of Eyam, the rough and tumble of proper mountain biking on Middleton Moor and of course mineral and limestone workings galore.
EPIC ROUTES
Route Grade: hard. Distance: 17km
This route has been designed to be as close to the perfect mini enduro lap as we could make it. Ideal for the newcomer who wants to know what all the fuss is about or for the seasoned pro wanting an excellent spin out.
Route Grade: medium. Distance: 20km
Starting off with a wonderful fast chug over crag and moor the route heads to Baslow Edge, superb singletrack then road to Calver. More climbing, traversing on a great mix of terrain and a good warm down back to the finish.
Route Grade: Extreme. Distance: 23km
This bike route packs in a huge amount of quality singletrack, great up and downs. Despite chunks being on the Pennine Bridleway this route is essential hardcore riding.
Route Grade: hard. Distance: 21.3km
A bit different from the other routes this one is in the guide because its a great tour traversing a part of the world few mountain bikers get to.
Route Grade: hard. Distance: 19.5km (full) 11km (short)
A short mountain bike route giving great flavour of the White Peak and can even be attempted in wet winter months. Great views, lovely trails and rocky descents.
Route Grade: hard. Distance: 20km
A gruelling, unforgiving route, short in distance, high in ascent. Pure mountain biking.
Route Grade: hard. Distance: 21km
A fantastic technical mountain biking route with good stretches of challenging singletrack linked by pleasant stretches of track and lane.
Route Grade: extreme. Distance: 25km
A good high-speed romp across stunning Peak District landscape. Split into thirds of good quality singletrack, quiet lanes and tracks & paved cycleway. Grade hard. Distance: 24.5km Route 15. South Buxton Circuit
This mountain bike route includes a coupe of extreme descents - by far the toughest in the area - while great challenges, they are quite short and easily walked down by the sane.
ENDURO ROUTES
Route Grade: extreme. Distance: 36km
Long, hard and varied route taking in all that the heart of the White Peak has to offer. In and out of dale after dale, super fast descents, some singletrack climbs or hard tarmac slogs or honest farm tracks. A brilliant route and one of the best in the book.
Route Grade: extreme. Distance: 33km
Over 30km of fully rideable uphill and downhill action. Simply superb and showing the world-class quality of Peak District mountain biking.
Route Grade: extreme. Distance: 45km
Strictly speaking this is mostly on the Dark Peak map, but a good proportion is on the 'White Stuff'.
A big loop around Hope Valley taking in tough climbs, fantastic descents plus a smidge of tarmac. A contender for one of the best enduro style rides in the UK.
Route Grade: extreme. Distance: 27km
Two things stand out about this excellent circuit, firstly there seems to be a lot more down than up - and second it has the lowest gates per kilometre of any ride in the Peak.
Route Grade: extreme. Distance: 38.5km
A big old circle of mountain biking fun. Plenty of ups, downs, singletrack and while challenging is a good introduction to longer routes.
Route Grade: hard. Distance: 32km
A varied mountain bike loop in stunning scenery. Hard on the legs. A good winter route as a lot of it is on hardpack forest paths and tarmac.
BONUS SECTION
A brief description of what the following have to offer including parking, useful tel numbers. Does not include route descriptions or map but gives info on maps that are available (eg free one for the Carsington Water, 50p for the Monsal). As the routes are either on disused railways, around a lake, on well marked bridleways, you'd do well to get lost!
13 km around the reservoir.
Up to 28km each way.
Up to 8km each way
Up to 21km each way
Up to 560km each way ! Hardcore Descents
Several fast downhills characterised by big drop rock steps. Route Grade: double extreme
A list of eight top descents. Burning brakes and racing pulses! Top Hill Climbs A test of how good you are on roots, mud, slippery limestone, all three at once!
|
