EASY, FAMILY-FRIENDLY RIDES

The Monsal Trail

A scenic, flat, family-friendly route for cycling with kids of all ages, this former railway track runs for 8.5 miles from Bakewell to Hassop. With stunning views, dramatic viaducts and an exciting long (and chilly) tunnel, it’ll keep even the tiredest legs pedalling – plus there are some handy places for a warm-up café pitstop.

Not brought bikes with you? No problem. The trail is book-ended by cycle hire providers at Blackwell Mill and Hassop Station, so you can get kitted out. Bakewell is teeming with cosy cafés and Hassop Station Café at the opposite end is a fab place to enjoy a meal or cuppa, with plenty of room for big family groups and pets. There’s also a café (and loads of lovely picnic spots if you chance upon a mild day) near mid-way Miller’s Dale station.

The Tissington Trail

The traffic-free 13-mile Tissington Trail runs from Ashbourne to Parsely Hay and is mostly flat and traffic-free, making it ideal for family days out. There are bike hire shops at both ends, so you can pick up some wheels – everything from tandems to e-bikes (a godsend for hills and clocking miles). You’ll pass through beautiful countryside with sweeping views. Take a pitstop at the pretty village of Tissington and the lovely Herbert’s Tea Rooms or take your pick of picture-perfect picnic spots.

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS

Ladybower, Upper Derwent and Howden Reservoirs

For a dramatic, waterside option, rack up a reservoir route in the shadow of Derwent Dam. There are lots of options here with routes of between one and 25 miles. ‘Park at Fairholmes car park and you can do a loop of one reservoir or link up all three,’ suggests Ali at True North Cycle Hub. ‘All routes follow the edge of reservoirs on flat to rolling cycle tracks; all traffic-free tracks and fire roads.’

Also a good one for history buffs. Derwent reservoir where WWII pilots used to practise low-level flying in ‘Dam Busters raids’ due to its similarities to German dams. And, when the water levels are low, you can often see the lost village of Derwent, demolished in the 1940s to make way for the reservoir. Need to hire wheels? Pick ‘em up at Upper Derwent Cycle hire.

FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS

Chatsworth Circular

This is a really versatile circular ride that you can jump on at any point on the route. If you start at Bakewell, you’ll head along the Monsal Trail with views of Haddon Hall. From there, cycle alongside the River Derwent before a technical section of woodland, which brings you out onto the open moorlands of Beeley Moor.

From here you can see for miles over the Peak District and Chatsworth Estate. The steady moorland bridleways descend to the back of Chatsworth where you’ll see the old water towers, Chatsworth House, famous gardens and deer park, this is always a great highlight. Pitstop? Try the pretty village of Edensor, before crossing farmland and back into Bakewell.

‘This route is perfect for confident riders, and have experience with varied (not severe) off-road trails,’ says Ali at True North. ‘The climbs and descents are moderate, and terrain will vary between grassland, woodland, open moorland, single track with loose rocks and shallow ruts.’

Ladybower & Hope

Adrenaline junkies will be happy here. You could ride for days and not touch the same section. The climbs and descents are steep and vary from moderate to extremely technical. Terrain switches between grassland, open hillsides, moorland and track. Expect everything from loose tracks, rocky rooty, drops and fast flowy trails. 

Want to get the local intel on the best spots? Hire an ebike or mountain bike guide. True North offer some of the best.

FOR ROAD RIDES

The Edale Loop

Start at the Peak cyclists’s dream hotel, Bike & Boot. True North have a cycle hub here so you can pick up routes, guides and bikes too. Head out towards Edale, and after a few miles of rolling roads you’ll start the ascent of one the more challenging cycle climbs, Man Nick, (a leg-pounding 2.1km!). 

From there ride alongside Rushop Edge and cut down towards Peak Forest, Wheston and picking up the lovely villages of Tideswell and Litton (which have great coffee stops). From there, cut back towards Hope via Great Hucklow, Bradwell and Brough.

Stanage Edge Moor Climbs

Another ride with big views. Start at Bike & Boot, head towards Aston and Thornhill and up onto the moors of Stanage Edge, Burbage and towards Hallam Moors.  Drop down towards Dungworth and into the village of Lower Bradfield.  Pitstop! The next climb is steep, so take a quick breather at Schoolrooms Café & Kitchen. Then it’s up to High Bradfield, before the super smooth roads of the Strines overlooking Agden reservoir before dropping you back down towards Bamford and onward to Hope. Book in to Bike & Boot and you’ll be rewarded with free cake at 4pm.

FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Like the thrill of mountain biking, but a bit tentative when it comes to technical trails? I hear you. How about giving cyclocross (also known as gravel riding) a go? Using byways and tracks that are too rough for a road bike but not quite chunky enough on a mountain bike, gravel riding is on the up.

‘Linking from Stanage to the Upper Derwent Valley is a favourite of mine,’ says Si at 18Bikes in Hope. Muddy’s top tip? Ride out with Peak Gravel Gang which offers a variety of inclusive weekend rides at a steady social pace, with a focus on fun and snack stops rather than trying to race each other – a perfect starting point if you’re a newbie.

Bike & Boot in the Peak District opened in autumn 2023. True North has a new Cycle Hub there.