Cycling The Peak District

• Cycling Holidays & Cycle Hire in the Peak District
• The Course From Hope Valley To Win Hill
• The Return Circuit From Edale Valley To Hayfield
• Tissington And The High Peak Trails
• The Course From Buxton To The Goyt Valley
• Ashbourne - Matlock (17 miles)
• Hathersage Loop (21 miles)
• Buxton Loop (19 miles)
• Manifold Way
• Ultra-Soft Cycling and Walking on The High Peak Trail

Peak District Outdoor Activities /Team Building - Dolomite Training Ltd - Chesterfield Dolomite Training is a well established outdoor activity company offering mountain bike skills courses and guided rides, rock climbing courses and abseiling, navigation and map reading courses.  We cater for all levels of ability and experience so don’t be put off if you have never tried something before. We offer half-day , full day and multi-day courses to try and make sure we offer what you want. Our AALA license allows us to work with under-18s and all our staff have enhanced...

Peak District Activities - Evolution Outdoors - Chesterfield Evolution Outdoors Ltd has provided top quality adventurous outdoor activities since 2007.   Based in the Peak District, Evolution Outdoors is a young and exciting outdoors company run by an unusual mix of people with backgrounds ranging from ex-soldiers to chemistry graduates, all with a wealth of outdoors and leadership experience.   We are a family run business with an emphasis on fun but safe outdoors activities. We limit the number of clients we work with in order to ensure...

Sheffrec - Hopey New Year The Hopey New Year is a 105 kilometre ride organised under the auspices of Audax UK, which kicks off the Peak cycling year.  Sometimes the weather is very challenging - deep snow a couple of years ago and a full gale in 2005 - but Sheffrec normally field around 20 riders among the 60+ who participate.  This year it took place on 7 January which was very breezy, but dry and fairly mild.   We left Bradwell sports centre heading back to the main Hope Valley road and then on to...

Peak District Activities - Peak Mountaineering - Castleton Peak Mountaineering was formed by Paul Lewis to provide high quality mountain activities and training. We believe in the personal touch and most of our courses are still run by Paul. We keep group sizes small and course itineraries extremely flexible to ensure your objectives are achieved whether it's a single day or a full month. Working in this way provides better value for money as you won't waste time waiting for others to do things you already know – or don't want to do! When...

Sheffrec rode to Goyt Valley on Saturday. The wonderful early autumn weather tempted us to make the trip to scenic Goyt Valley.  Leaving Sheffield along Loxley Road, we skirted Damflask reservoir, passed through Lower Bradfield and up the short hill onto Annet Lane. A left turn took us over Dale Dyke and onto the long climb up to Sugworth Road, with good views across the tree and heather covered valley with the reservoirs at its base, then a left to the Strines Road and onto the A57.    Down the hill to Ladybower...

Sheffrec - Spring in the Peak. I am indebted to Oliver Wright for this route, which is a 110km ride from Hathersage across much of the southern and western Peaks and almost entirely on quiet minor roads.    From the Pool café, down the hill heading towards Grindleford on the B6001.  Over the river, then second right, up the hill on a narrow road that bears some resemblance to Alpine climbs (steep, with hairpins), past Leam Farm and through the wood to join the Sir William Hill road.  A further...

Peak District Leisure - Carsington Sports and Leisure - Ashbourne Carsington Sports and Leisure have been providing training courses for professionals and amateur enthusiasts for many years in water based activities. The activities they offer include: Sailing Windsurfing Kayak & Canoeing Powerboating Mountain Biking Climbing Fishing Youth Activities Orienteering Courses Corporate Events Kids Activity Days Peddle and Paddle Days Youth Courses They offer training in a wide variety of disciplines, using a diverse fleet...

Patrick & Frances Skemp - Electric Bikes My cycling after about 40 routine years using touring cycles had in the last year expanded in all directions, now I have another form to add to my bow, electric biking , more correctly battery assisted cycling. Cycling England, in its death throes, just prior to its closure under the Coalition cuts, set up the Electric Bicycle Network a not-for-profit organisation, whose remit is to set up electric cycling networks in various parts of the country, and the Peak District is the first...

Stunning Scenery and Perfect Weather Conditions "It was a perfect early Spring day - not a cloud in the sky, nor a breath of wind, but the air was cool and fresh.  We set off from Sheffield's Botanical Gardens, heading uphill through leafy Ranmoor to the open spaces of the road past Hallamshire Golf Club.  The hills of the Dark Peak (Howden Moors across towards Bleaklow) were hazy, but distinct, a change from the fog and drizzle of the previous few days.   We cycled round Fulwood Head, looking back towards Sheffield...

Peak District Activities - Hollowford Activities - Castleton If you are looking for excitement, challenge, adventure or a fine day out in the countryside, then look no further. With over fifty years experience and an exemplary safety record Lindley Educational Trust offers adventurous activities and challenges for groups and families. We can offer a wide range of day activities or a structured developmental programme and are confident you will have an experience that will stay with you for many years. Activity Programmes Our programmes provide...

Monyash and Back   The forecast was for cloud turning to rain, but it was in broken sunshine and a strong south-westerly breeze that we left the Botanical Gardens in Sheffield and headed up into the leafy lanes of Fulwood.  Past the Hallamshire Golf Course and the old Lodge Moor hospital complex, we climbed up to Fulwood Head, with Sheffield laid out below us.  At over 1000 feet we were still within the City boundary (allegedly the fourth highest city in Europe).  Passing the 18th...

Night Time Cycling in the Peak District After 26 years of fairly routine road cycling, at the age of 60, my cycling has now broadened out in all directions. Last year I added mountain biking, additionally I went most weeks to the Manchester Velodrome (using therefore a brake-less fixed wheel bike), and also acquired a recumbent three wheel bike, all most enjoyable, (the latter being lethal to boot) so when at the turn off the year I was invited to join a small group of just four people on night time cycle rides, I jumped at it, as...

Sheffrec Cycling Report - 13-02-11     The forecast was for continous rain all day, but it was actually dry at 9 o'clock as the 25 or so Sheffrec riders assembled at Malin Bridge.  We headed out along Loxley Valley, round Damflask reservoir and on to Bradfield.   A short climb up to Ughill Moors was rewarded with views down to Strines and Dale Head reservoirs, though both were a bit indistinct in the increasingly heavy drizzle. Along the Strines road to Moscar, where we joined the A57 for the...

Sheffrec Cycling Club With well over 100 members we are regarded as the fastest growing cycling club in Sheffield. Sheffrec Cycling Club isn’t all about competing and winning races. With membership growing month by month, our new members have quickly adopted Sheffrec ways by helping out at many events, marshalling and more importantly turning up on a Sunday morning club run and representing Sheffrec out in the Peak District . 2010 saw us successfully organise three open time trials, our 2-up 25 mile TT...

Peak District Self Catering - Shining Cliff Centre - Alderwasley Shining Cliff, which is open all year round, with its own crags, streams, lakes and over 100-acres of mature woodland, has everything on its doorstep. The hostel is ideal for all, schools, youth groups, corporate events and groups of families and friends wishing to enjoy time away in a peaceful woodland setting. The Shining Cliff experience is certainly unique. Starting with a 10-minute walk into the heart of the ancient woodland, you get a real feeling of tranquillity and excitement. ...

Peak District Group Accommodation - Foundry Adventure Centre - Great Hucklow Group Accommodation and Adventure Activities in the heart of the Peak District National Park • An outdoor base with 2 independent self-catering units with 21 and 31 beds, or a single centre for up to 52 beds. • We also offer a wide range of outdoor adventure activities for all groups including outdoor education, team building, management training & adventure skills. Adventure Activities The Peak District is one of the best adventure venues in the UK. Foundry...

It is of course the hills which make the Peak District. That means cycling here can be arduous if that's what you are looking for, though with the right choice of route, it need not be. As well as the designated cycle trails mentioned below, there are many less steep, but quiet roads with stunning scenery to enjoy.  For example, the Hope Valley is certainly busy, but there are parallel roads available for much of its length (through Thornhill to the north, then from Hope to Castleton via Pindale), and a cycle lane runs along the majority of the road between Hathersage and Castleton; the plateau between Bakewell and Castleton is gently undulating, with options of short climbs up to spectacular viewpoints on Longstone and Bretton Edges.  Further west, once you have got up onto Axe Edge the road along Morridge slopes gently down from beside the Royal Cottage public house, offering views across Staffordshire and on a clear day to the hills of Wales.  And of course the many villages dotted throughout the Peaks offer the prospect of welcomes breaks for tea and snacks, or even something stronger.  Particular favourites with cyclists include Yonderman's at Wardlow Mires, Coopers at Edale Station, Edge Close Farm at Flagg, the Smithy at Monyash, the Courtyard at Hope, while further south are the Post Office at Hartington and Crich tearooms, though there are many others.

 
For the more competitive or committed cyclist, there are sportives each year, for example the "Polkadot Grand Fondo" and the "Action - Peak District 100", both in June, and the CTC "Phil & Friends Challenge Ride" and the "Wiggle Tour of the Peak", both in August  . Peak Audax and others organise non-competitive long distance rides throughout the year, starting from a variety of locations.  And in the autumn there are several hill climbs when you can either test yourself against gravity, or join the many spectators who watch others attempting to do so.  Perhaps the most famous of these is at Monsal Head, now in its 81st year.
 
If you are looking for company, there are local cycling clubs from Sheffield (for example Sheffrec CC -  - who as you can see provide regular reports of rides for us), Manchester, Derbyshire and West Yorkshire organise rides in the Peaks on most week-ends throughout the year, but the area is blessed with a range of roads to suit cyclists of all abilities and inclinations. 

The Fairholmes Centre is a gathering point for cyclists in the Upper Derwent Valley, which is a popular place for mountain bikers and road cyclists alike and follows a simple route around the reservoirs. But be warned, some of it is only suitable for rugged mountain bikes! Mountain biking has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in the White Peak where rallies are held along set circular courses which run through steep narrow dales, like Long Dale and Gratton Dale, and in and around the Manifold Valley on the Staffordshire border. Apart from mountain biking and road cycling, there are a number of special walking and cycling trails which follow the routes of old railway lines through the spectacular scenery of the Peak and are free to use and ideal for all the family. One of the most popular cycle routes lies in the south of the area, where riders can enjoy the recently constructed circular route around Carsington Water, which follows the gentle contours of the shoreline through a sylvan landscape of pleasantly wooded slopes for ten miles. The visitor centre complex has cycles for hire, and boasts a cafe, shop and full ameneties. For the real leisure cyclist there are six excellent cycling trails along former, mainly level railway routes through the Peak - The Longendale Trail, Sett Valley Trail, Monsal Trail, Manifold & Hamps Valley Trail, the Tissington Trail, and the High Peak Trail.

The Longendale and Sett Valley Trails lie in the north of the region, with the former running along the level floor of the Longendale Valley on the track of the old Light Railway with some fantastic views, whilst the latter runs through the spectacular countryside from Hayfield to New Mills making for pleasant level cycling. The Monsal Trail - runs for eight and a half miles along the old track-bed of the Midland Railway from Coombs Viaduct, a mile south of Bakewell Station, to Blackwell Mill Junction at the head of Chee Dale, about three miles south of Buxton. The trail is interrupted by four closed tunnels, and parts are unsuitable for cyclists, but the section from Bakewell to Longstone Head and the spectacular viaduct at Monsal Dale offers a pleasant and leisurely cycle-ride.

The Tissington Trail is very popular with cyclists and runs from Ashbourne thirteen miles northward to Parsley Hay, along the level trackbed of the old London & North Western Railway Company's Ashbourne to Buxton line. There are cycle-hire centres at either end of the trail, and both Mapleton Lane and Parsley Hay Hire Shops are attended from Easter to October. Excellent toilet, washroom and refreshment facilities are available at Hartington and Tissington, and excursion cycle-routes around the Hartington and Biggin villages. The Manifold & Hamps Trail lies to the south & west of the region, and runs from Hulme End to Waterhouses, along the course of the old Manifold Light Railway, with cycle-hire available at the old station in Waterhouses.

The trail runs alongside the river in the beautiful Manifold Valley, and is popular for excursions to Thors Cave, set high in the limestone hills above. The High Peak Trail runs from High Peak Junction beyond Cromford Wharf, to Dowlow just south of Buxton, a distance of seventeen and a half miles along the course of the old Cromford & High Peak Railway. A full range of facilities are available at the Middleton Top visitor centre, including cycle-hire, which is also available at Parsley Hay, close to the junction with the Tissington Trail which terminates here. The Tissington and High Peak Trails are perhaps the most popular for hired cycles; both have cycle-hire centres - and customers can ride leisurely through the very heart of the wonderful white-peak countryside experiencing the unique atmosphere of the peak landscape, along two spectacular cycling trails - without changing bikes! Cycle-Hire is also available in the market towns of Buxton, Bakewell, Matlock and Ashbourne, and in a number of village centres throughout the Peak District, and cycling holidays are becoming an increasingly popular tourist attraction. With such facilities, and with the freedom of the Peak District National Park beckoning cyclist of all ages and abilities to indulge their passion for two-wheeled pedal-powered pleasure, little wonder that the Peak District of Derbyshire is regarded as the Mecca of cycling enthusiasts!