Peak District - Scenic Cycling Routes?

[idefygravity]

Hello everyone,

Travelling to Goole to visit a friend this weekend. Was wondering if anyone has any strong “scenic cycling routes or trails” to take in the Peak District or the surroundings? (Sheffield, Derby, York).

I’m on a mountain bike & my friend, I think is on a hybrid (it’s an Raleigh mantis) bike.

Already been through Monsail trail, Winnauts pass and all the local to do things & looking for a good day out in the sun with some scenery. I did read that Snake Pass is closed for cyclists this weekend, tough luck there. Will probably do Lady Bower reservoir loop.

Komoot didn’t have any that I liked so here I’m…any strong recommendations are welcome. Thank you in advance.

[Jdsk]

Some useful information in the archives:
search.php?keywords=Peak+District&terms ... mit=Search

Jonathan

[PH]

Absolutely spoilt for choice! How strong a rider are you and colleague? You mention a couple of the classic climbs, but also that you'll be on MTB and hybrid, so I'm just wondering how challenging you're looking for. If the weekend weather is nice, expect all the trials to be busy, still very pleasant to ride, just not if you're expecting fast progress. If you get up early enough, you can have a blast on a trail and come back on lanes, of which there's loads.
Give a starting point and a distance and I'd be happy to offer a route that would include some favorite of mine, though plotting your own on cycletravel is likely to be as good,
Have fun.

[roubaixtuesday]

Goole is a fair schlepp from the Peak!

You don't give much indication for how far or how hilly you want, which makes a huge difference.

Around the eastern side of the Peak to avoid you driving too far, all the roads above Hathersage are lovely, but very hilly. A loop like this would be brilliant for strong riders.

The Tissington trail (Parsley Hay to Ashbourne) further southwest would be a good option for an easier ride, but further to get to. You could do lanes one way and return via the easier trial. It's about 20 miles in total one way.

[nico36]

Park at Redmires Reservoirs near Lodge Moor (free), Sheffield up to Stanedge Pole and down the Long Causeway and onto Derwent Dam going past the Yorkshire Bridge pub. Round the Dam via Slippery Stones and a coffee at Fairholmes Cafe and then back the same way. Its about 35 miles. Suitable for a gravel bike or hardtail MTB.

[Pendodave]

I have a nice loop (but quite hilly) on the western side of the Peaks starting and finishing at Macclesfield, but I'm guessing the location might not suit.
My own experience (probably more limited than some on here, as I'm not a local) is that many Peak district roads are often quite busy (expecially at the weekend) and that the smaller lanes which are not as busy don't make much attempt to grade around the steep valley sides...
Good luck.

[rareposter]

Travelling to Goole to visit a friend this weekend. Was wondering if anyone has any strong “scenic cycling routes or trails” to take in the Peak District or the surroundings? (Sheffield, Derby, York).

I’m on a mountain bike & my friend, I think is on a hybrid (it’s an Raleigh mantis) bike.

Already been through Monsail trail, Winnauts pass and all the local to do things & looking for a good day out in the sun with some scenery. I did read that Snake Pass is closed for cyclists this weekend, tough luck there. Will probably do Lady Bower reservoir loop.

Goole is 90 minutes by car to get to the eastern edge of the Peak District, it's not exactly a quick spin out!
Ladybower Loop isn't bad - the bit around the reservoir itself is pretty tame but there are plenty of other trails on the hillsides. Fairholmes (the visitor centre) gets very busy at weekends. The full loop up the three reservoirs and back is about 10 miles. You could extend the ride down through the lanes to Hope and there's a trail round the south side of Ladybower Res as well.

Monsal Trail - that's at least another 30 minute drive west. 8 mile flat gravel trail (old railway line). Scenic but not something I'd drive 2hrs each way to ride. Winnats Pass is a (steep!) road climb and absolutely not something I'd be riding up on a busy weekend. I've ridden it dozens of times but I pick quiet times to do it! There is an off-road climb on the other side called locally Broken Road (cos it was a road). https://www.roads.org.uk/blog/road-slid-away
It's HERE just to the north of Winnats
Again, it's a nice bit of trail to put into a loop of the area but not something I'd be driving 2hrs to ride specifically.

Snake Pass is probably still open, I think the closure is due to come in on Monday - again that is a busy and rather unpleasant road climb - nice enough on a road bike on a summer evening, not something I'd be trying on a weekend!

Quicker and easier for a fun day out is Leeds Urban Bike Park, it's a lot closer - maybe 40min drive or so from Goole.
https://www.leedsurbanbikepark.com/

There's bike hire there too if your mate decides that a Raleigh Mantis is not up to the trails (although there are a couple of tamer loops there).

[idefygravity]

Travelling to Goole to visit a friend this weekend. Was wondering if anyone has any strong “scenic cycling routes or trails” to take in the Peak District or the surroundings? (Sheffield, Derby, York).

I’m on a mountain bike & my friend, I think is on a hybrid (it’s an Raleigh mantis) bike.

Already been through Monsail trail, Winnauts pass and all the local to do things & looking for a good day out in the sun with some scenery. I did read that Snake Pass is closed for cyclists this weekend, tough luck there. Will probably do Lady Bower reservoir loop.

Goole is 90 minutes by car to get to the western edge of the Peak District, it's not exactly a quick spin out!
Ladybower Loop isn't bad - the bit around the reservoir itself is pretty tame but there are plenty of other trails on the hillsides. Fairholmes (the visitor centre) gets very busy at weekends. The full loop up the three reservoirs and back is about 10 miles. You could extend the ride down through the lanes to Hope and there's a trail round the south side of Ladybower Res as well.

Monsal Trail - that's at least another 30 minute drive east. 8 mile flat gravel trail (old railway line). Scenic but not something I'd drive 2hrs each way to ride. Winnats Pass is a (steep!) road climb and absolutely not something I'd be riding up on a busy weekend. I've ridden it dozens of times but I pick quiet times to do it! There is an off-road climb on the other side called locally Broken Road (cos it was a road). https://www.roads.org.uk/blog/road-slid-away
It's HERE just to the north of Winnats
Again, it's a nice bit of trail to put into a loop of the area but not something I'd be driving 2hrs to ride specifically.

Snake Pass is probably still open, I think the closure is due to come in on Monday - again that is a busy and rather unpleasant road climb - nice enough on a road bike on a summer evening, not something I'd be trying on a weekend!

Quicker and easier for a fun day out is Leeds Urban Bike Park, it's a lot closer - maybe 40min drive or so from Goole.
https://www.leedsurbanbikepark.com/

There's bike hire there too if your mate decides that a Raleigh Mantis is not up to the trails (although there are a couple of tamer loops there).

Hi, we don’t mind travelling a bit to get some much needed change from daily routine. Time is not a constraint. Leave early and spend the weekend amidst nature is the plan for now. We were even thinking of just driving to North York moors park but decided to stick to Peak District.

We are definitely doing the LadyBower loop. Snake pass is something we always wanted to do. There were some conflicting articles yesterday with planned protests or trespassing.

Bike parks aren’t my thing as I did try the one in Wales and was knackered by lunch time. Leeds one does look fairly okay. Will definitely check with my friend.

Thank you & will update what we did eventually.

[idefygravity]

I have a nice loop (but quite hilly) on the western side of the Peaks starting and finishing at Macclesfield, but I'm guessing the location might not suit.
My own experience (probably more limited than some on here, as I'm not a local) is that many Peak district roads are often quite busy (expecially at the weekend) and that the smaller lanes which are not as busy don't make much attempt to grade around the steep valley sides...
Good luck.

Hi, that’s exactly why the location matters as the Peak District roads are always busy. Do let me know & thank you.

[idefygravity]

Park at Redmires Reservoirs near Lodge Moor (free), Sheffield up to Stanedge Pole and down the Long Causeway and onto Derwent Dam going past the Yorkshire Bridge pub. Round the Dam via Slippery Stones and a coffee at Fairholmes Cafe and then back the same way. Its about 35 miles. Suitable for a gravel bike or hardtail MTB.

Hi, I’m looking it up as we speak but do you have a gpx file? It will make things easier. Thanks.

[idefygravity]

Absolutely spoilt for choice! How strong a rider are you and colleague? You mention a couple of the classic climbs, but also that you'll be on MTB and hybrid, so I'm just wondering how challenging you're looking for. If the weekend weather is nice, expect all the trials to be busy, still very pleasant to ride, just not if you're expecting fast progress. If you get up early enough, you can have a blast on a trail and come back on lanes, of which there's loads.
Give a starting point and a distance and I'd be happy to offer a route that would include some favorite of mine, though plotting your own on cycletravel is likely to be as good,
Have fun.

Hi there.

Starting point : car park opposite to the cafe near lady bower

Start time : 9 AM (can do as early as 7 AM)
End time : an hour earlier to car park closure time.

Routes : anything goes as long as we don’t have to do extreme gradients (think up to 10 degrees is okay).

Thank you.

[idefygravity]

Goole is a fair schlepp from the Peak!

You don't give much indication for how far or how hilly you want, which makes a huge difference.

Around the eastern side of the Peak to avoid you driving too far, all the roads above Hathersage are lovely, but very hilly. A loop like this would be brilliant for strong riders.

Capture.JPG

The Tissington trail (Parsley Hay to Ashbourne) further southwest would be a good option for an easier ride, but further to get to. You could do lanes one way and return via the easier trial. It's about 20 miles in total one way.

Hi there,

We both are fairly basic or your average bike riders. We can go the entire day at slow pace & can handle 10 degree gradients. Looking at any rides that can give us 50 kilometres from the start to end & return to the starting point. Have checked the places you mentioned.

Thank you.

[rareposter]

Starting point : car park opposite to the cafe near lady bower

I assume you mean Fairholmes Visitor Centre, the one by the dam?

This one?
Get there early, it WILL get busy. From there I'd suggest a clockwise loop so up onto the road, turn right and head north - it's one road (initially) then it becomes track and is almost entirely closed to traffic.

You can't go wrong, just keep the res on your right and follow the very obvious road/trail north. Keep going north all the way past the dams, right up to the top. There's a small gravel climb out (nothing too severe) and then you come to a bridge and a sort of off-centre T-junction. Turn right, keep the reservoirs to your right and head back south, this is a nice gentle descent most of the way.

You can continue heading all the way south to the main road then either turn right and right and back to the car park or carry on south to this dam HERE

It's a footpath across the dam and form there you can turn right and follow the gravel trail around the southern edge of Ladybower until it climbs up to meet Snake Pass then turn right, follow the main road for a couple of miles turn left and back up to the car park.

Or you could turn left and follow the Derwent Valley Heritage Way trail, then the lanes down to Hope where there are a couple of nice cafes.

Retrace your steps back to the car.

[PH]

Starting point : car park opposite to the cafe near lady bower

Favorite of mine that I'd include on a route from there would be a trip over the Strines. Lots of short sharp climbs, dropping down to a bridge, straight back up again, stunning scenery. A break at the Bankside cafe, you'll be ready for it.
To make a loop, I'd go up to NCN 62. If you want to bag a classic climb, a detour to Holmbridge and climb Holme Moss, followed by a blistering downhill. back onto NCN 62, the short off-road section is well surfaced. Glossop, followed by NCN 68 almost to Whaley Bridge, head East, I'd loop through Edale to Hope unless you particularly wanted to go down Winnats Pass.
That's 65 miles and 2,200 meters climbing, plenty of up and down, some long drags, but only really Holme Moss that I would find really challenging and I'm no climber. Plenty of options to cut it or add, I've ridden every part of this, most of it several times, but never as a loop.
Rough route
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/432348

EDIT - oops I've just noticed your reply to someone else that you're looking for 50km. I'd still recommend the Strines, maybe looping back slightly to the East, though I'm not sure I've ridden all those roads.

[Pendodave]

I have a nice loop (but quite hilly) on the western side of the Peaks starting and finishing at Macclesfield, but I'm guessing the location might not suit.
My own experience (probably more limited than some on here, as I'm not a local) is that many Peak district roads are often quite busy (expecially at the weekend) and that the smaller lanes which are not as busy don't make much attempt to grade around the steep valley sides...
Good luck.

Hi, that’s exactly why the location matters as the Peak District roads are always busy. Do let me know & thank you.

Here is my loop. A couple of versions with a different finish.
I start and end in Macc because of the train, but obviously you could start anywhere with a car. I use the cafes at kickback cafe and flash bar. Tbh, one is a bit too soon, and the other is a bit late!
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/163378
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/252777

I put it together with help from this thread a few years back:
viewtopic.php?t=138687