Mountain biking is all about socialisng and taking risks but it’s also about socialising and making new friends. If you’re really hard core why not try out mountain biking single tracking? It’s a dare devil sport but one that gets the adrenaline going in no time at all

NB Grid references are approximate – they indicate the start of the singletrack sections.

It’s not the long, flowing singletrack of the North York moors, and it’s not the manufactured, manicured version you’ll find at places like Coed?y-Brenin. Dark Peak singletrack has it’s own, unique character – shorter, sharper, offering concentrated technical value. Littered with ruts, bomb holes and rocky sections ? often in glorious high moorland settings ? this selection of Dark Peak singletrack is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on the mind of any serious mountain biker.

1 Howden Edge to Slippery Stones (Cut Gate) GR: SK185960
The section of descent from the ?col’ at Howden Edge is a classic piece of moorland singletrack with sufficient gravity to nearly qualify as a true downhill. The first pitch is steep, rutted and tricky before a thin strip of dirt breaks out across the open moor. Things then become narrow, stony and loose as you hug the side of Bull Clough, past a couple of hairpins to the rock steps. Don’t miss the L turn signposted as a bridleway on this last section ? you will be approaching it fast and there’s still a great little hairpin to come! Very satisfying.

2 Cut Gate to North America GR: SK192986
Not overly long but very scenic, this great little portion of moorland can be as tricky as you want to make it (take care with your line choices!). A superb variety of surfaces and some great opportunities to grab air make this lovely section of singletrack from our Cut Gate Special route a real winner!.

3 Derwent Edge GR: SK204881
In dry conditions this becomes a text-book ribbon of silvery-grey, gritty sand. Quite wide now, and unfortunately getting wider, ?ethical riding’ makes this a real blast in descent. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security, there are plenty of cut throat obstacles hiding in that heather ? and a nasty sucky-tire section right near the end!

4 Wharncliffe GR: SK315951
At its best in the drier months, Wharncliffe is littered with quality singletrack, most of which is secretive and is there for the diligent explorer to discover. The second of the singletrack sections described in our Wharncliffe Cross Country Circuit is a superb, technical blast, littered with a smorgasbord of rock gardens, bombholes and roots. Honorary North York’s Moors!

5 The Knott GR: SK050834
The section of singletrack that begins across the footbridge near the shooting cabins at the top of the Snake Path is a really peachy section of rolling, moorland trail. The only real interruption to this fast and flowing feast section is the ford about a third of the way along ? but even this should be style-able with a bit of luck and cunning use of gears!

6 Win Hill GR: SK182844
O.K. it’s mostly a climb, but the much photographed singletrack section up the southern flanks of Win Hill is an essential rite-of passage for any mountain biker ? and the views just keep getting better and better!

7 Chinley Churn GR: SK034845
This oddly-named and seldom visited western outpost of the Dark Peak is criss-crossed by loads of great quality singletrack – all full of character. Best in the dry, this is a great little hill to explore at leisure, but for starters, try out the section from our Chinley Churn circuit – an adventurous section of singletrack that’s destined to become a real classic with more traffic!

8 Wharncliffe Singletrack Special GR: SK317942
A very sweet section of singletrack through trees – tight, twisty, littered with user friendly obstacles – and great in the dry.

9 Wimblehome Hill GR: SK290797
A very short section of singletrack that’s included here because it comes with an almost unique penalty for failure – on the right hand side is a steep rocky drop down into the bilberrys. Actually quite a test of nerve and balance to style, it’s livened up by a couple of black squelchy bog holes ? obviously designed by the nature’s great trailbuilder to catch out the unwary!

10 Robin Hoods Picking Rods GR: SK008909
Another short – but great quality – section of technical riding across moorland that is quite remote in feeling. Pretty much a climb, the gradient is still friendly enough to make the humps, ruts and other obstacles ride-able ? drier conditions offer a better chance of success.