The peak district is a fantastic place for selfguided cycling holidays with a wealth of trafficfree cycle trails. The tunnels, structures and a large proportion of the trail is also to be resurfaced. Its a gentle gradient with several long lit tunnels you can cycle through imagining yourself as a train. The monsal trail runs through the peak district national park and rewards you with plenty of excitement as you cycle through a series of dimly lit former railway tunnels. There are few roads are shown here that we can determine the condition of the routes. The monsal trail tunnels offer one of the most spectacular leisure routes in britain for cycling, walking and horse riding. With bunkhouse and hostel accommodation available on the peak district cycle trails the white peak loop provides ideal off road cycle holidays with easy rides and stunning views. There are 18 routes of varying lengths spread all around the area. Monsal trail cycle hire things to do in the peak district. Derbyshires peak district is one of the most thrilling areas of the uk with its amazing range of days out and challenges for people who like to be active, interested and amazed. Work started to reopen the tunnels and improve the surface of the monsal trail in december 2009 and was completed in may 2011 through the pedal peak district project pedal peak district also encouraged thousands of people to take up or do more cycling by running cycle training, bike maintenance courses and cycling events.
Pedal peak district also encouraged thousands of people to take up or do more cycling by running cycle training, bike maintenance courses and cycling events. Headstone tunnel and a beautiful bridge across the river wye are just a mile from the campsite and make up one of the most spectacular bits of. I love cycling much so i want to take this type of challenging cycling tour although the routes are very high indeed. Those who have competed in all three events will have run 26. Cycling groups do not slam rail line conversion proposal. That means cycling here can be arduous if thats what you are looking for, though with the right choice of route, it need not be. In fact, its hard to think of any county in the uk with more allround cycling appeal. Whizz through four former railway tunnels on your bicycle and enjoy breathtaking views on the monsal trail. The white peak loop connect up the high peak trail, the tissington trail and the monsal trail to provide 60 miles of scenic off road cycling.
The old milk race, now superseded by the tour of britain, was a regular visitor and made climbs like holme moss famous. It is a great challenging task of cycling in the peak district. Three great reasons for cycling holidays in the peak district and derbyshire. Paddock house is located in alstonefield village near the derbyshirestaffordshire border towards the south of the park.
Derbyshire and the peak district have a wonderful range of cycle routes, from level or very gently sloping converted railway lines to wild mountain bike routes. A network of power assisted bicycles has been launched in the peak district this year, making cycling an enjoyable way of exploring for all. You are provided with bikes and equipment panniers, bar bags, helmets etc, detailed route notes,maps, local information and history. Whether a mountain biker or a roadie, cycle tourist or familyleisure cyclist the peak district. Theres a long history of cycling in the peak district too of course. Once the work has been completed, the tunnels will be opened to cyclists, walkers and horse riders, helping improve the existing monsal trail.
The peak district is home to fabulous offroad cycling routes including tissington and high peak trails which meet at parsley hay and the quieter manifold track in the southwestern peak running. Monsal trail cycle guide rail trail in derbyshire england. Cycling the monsal trail the peak district is famed for excellent cycle routes and the monsal trail is certainly one of the best. The western portals of the tunnels are at woodhead in derbyshire and the eastern portals are at dunford bridge, near penistone, south yorkshire the first tunnel, woodhead 1 was constructed by the sheffield. The peak district is an upland area in england at the southern end of the pennines. We have lots of handy hints for cycle trips to the peak district. Explore the spectacular countryside of the peak district by bicycle, on bridleways, quiet lanes and trafficfree trails. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Cycling routes of the peak district travel the guardian. Pretty villages, superb views, interesting history, fascinating wildlife and geology its all here for you to enjoy. Monsal trail cycling for foodies the foodie travel guide. Jun 04, 2017 it is a great challenging task of cycling in the peak district. On the left, a train emerges from one of the original tunnels, whilst tunnel 3 is under construction on the right. The white peak is the south area of the peak district. Visitors to the peak district have the opportunity to take a trip on a barge through the longest canal in the uk, standedge tunnel that extends to over 3 miles. The monsal trail tunnels are open for cycling, walking and horse riding offering one of the most spectacular leisure routes in britain it is the first time the public have been able to go through the tunnels since the former midland railway line closed in 1968.
Apr 26, 2007 cycling in the peak district offroad trails and quiet lanes is a guidebook for the leisure cyclist, mountain biker and family rider. Monsal trail peak district cycling biking routes, events, ride. From ashbourne, follow the tissington trail out onto the best of the white peak loop on this relaxed cycling holiday. It is for the cyclist who values fun, good views and lunch stops over grimaces, a racing heartbeat and aching legs. Including brickworks climb, macclesfield forrest and goyt valley. Stunning english country home peak district, united kingdom. A ride in the peak district from a few weeks ago with my friend matt. Includes a section on family riding and also a section on the old railway lines such as tissington trail. The monsal trail in derbyshires peak district is a great family friendly cycle route.
Derbyshire and peak district cycle maps and guide books. White peak leisure mountain biking contours cycling holidays. Thanks, in part, to the efforts of the peak district national park authority, 65 miles of trafficfree routes traverse the region, not to mention 280 miles of cycle routes across derbyshire, more. Sep 03, 2017 a ride in the peak district from a few weeks ago with my friend matt. We have a double bike trailer to house our 1 year old and nearly 3 year old so sometimes come unstuck on cycle paths by the slow down sustrans gates that are too narrow to fit through which is a shame as we often try to do medium distance rides of up 50 miles and carry the toddlers balance bike with us so he can do some miles too. The monsal trail is a disused railway line closed in 1968 and recently converted in 2010 2011 into a new trafficfree cycle track, allowing people to cycle from blackwell mill, nr. Following work by the peak district national park authority using. These easy going routes are gentle and mainly trafficfree and are perfect for families and leisure cyclists.
Its a good surfaced path which provides a fairly easy ride for families. Jul 11, 2019 cycling in derbyshire and the peak district. Blackwell mill cycle hire ride the monsal trail in the. Cycling in the peak district offroad trails and quiet lanes is a guidebook for the leisure cyclist, mountain biker and family rider. Apr 27, 2019 visitors to the peak district have the opportunity to take a trip on a barge through the longest canal in the uk, standedge tunnel that extends to over 3 miles. Some people who book on rides do not turn up on the day. The monsal trail tunnels are open for cycling, walking and horse riding offering one of the most spectacular leisure routes in britain. It is of course the hills which make the peak district. The woodhead tunnels are three parallel trans pennine 3mile 4. The guide features 18 routes of between 9 and 23km in length and explores the trafficfree lanes and off road trails of this hugely popular national park. Following repairs, four of the formally unsafe tunnels were reopened to the public in 2011, giving access to the complete route for the first time since the former midland railway line closed in 1968.
Hire bikes from one of the national parks own cycle hire centres for a family day out and you will be. Cycling the peak district bakewell and the monsal trail. Not only are you keeping fit in an environmentally friendly manner but you are able to cover a good distance and really get a feel for the places you visit. Cycling in the peak district routes and climbs human. Jul 06, 2012 peak district walk monsal trail july 6, 2012 december 28, 2017 by dean read, posted in day walks, peak district, trails, walking, white peak the weather this summer has been terrible, that is no understatement, it really has been rubbish. Jul 30, 2017 the monsal trail in derbyshires peak district is a great family friendly cycle route. Travel by bicycle and you really see the superb peak district countryside. Standedge tunnel cuts through the heart of the pennines and is classed as one of the 7 wonders of the britis. It is mostly in northern derbyshire, but also includes parts of cheshire, greater manchester, staffordshire, west yorkshire, and south yorkshire. Everybody has to be careful when cycling in the peak district. The monsal trail tunnels in the peak district national park are open for cycling, walking and horse riding offering one of the most spectacular leisure cycle, cycling and walking routes in britain it is the first time the public have been able to go through the tunnels on the monsal trail since the former midland railway line closed in 1968. All peak district cycling holidays are self led which allows you to travel at your own pace and stop when you wish.
As well as the designated cycle trails mentioned below, there are many less steep, but quiet roads with stunning scenery to enjoy. The route follows a disused railway line from new mills to hayfield via birch vale. It starts at blackwell mill at wye dale and takes you along the former railway line to bakewell station. Now that the old railway tunnels are fully open along this route, it is surely. This attractive and cleverly structured guidebook gives walkers the ten best walks to the best pubs and inns in the peak district in a handy, pocketable format.
There are plenty of quiet backroads and challenging gradients for the athletic road cyclist, but there are also a handful of flattish dismantled railway trails that weave alongside burbling brooks flanked by cliffs and steepsided hillsides or slice through rolling uplands. A guide for cyling in the peak district along quiet lanes, byways and bridleways. Monsal trail peak district cycling biking routes, events. The countryside here is all lush greenery and stonebuilt villages, with hints at the industrial revolution that took place here in arkwrights mills. Explore peaceful scenery and medieval cities on this 5day tour from london to wales and central england. The peak district monsal trail 10 mile 2020 10 miles in. For example, the hope valley is certainly busy, but there are parallel roads.
Formally part of the midland railways route between manchester and london, this 8. Now you can cycle even if you havent been on a bicycle for years and dont fancy pedalling up those hills. The spectacular but compact scenery of the peaks, with its honeycoloured villages, green valleys, and brown moorland, is crossed by several flat and wellsurfaced railtrails, opening up derbyshire to families and casual cyclists as well as fullon tourers and roadies. Peak district cycling holidays cycling in the peak district is a fantastic way to see the area. Now that the old railway tunnels are fully open along this route, it is. Location of the tunnel within the peak district the woodhead tunnels are three parallel trans pennine 3mile 4. The woodhead tunnels are three parallel transpennine 3mile 4. Cycling the tunnels of the monsal trail in derbyshires.
Cycling the peak district cycling in the peak district. The white peak loop connect up the high peak trail, the tissington trail and the monsal trail to. Follow the footsteps of william shakespeare in his birthplace of stratforduponavon, see the epic peaks of wales snowdonia. Standedge tunnel cuts through the heart of the pennines and is classed as one of the 7 wonders of the british waterways. Peak district cycling events just because we are heading towards autumn, doesnt mean that the events and competitions in the peak district come to an end. Enjoy our fantastic cycle trails at monsal, tissington, high peak, thornhill and manifold and discover some of the peak district s most picturesque scenery. Below you can discover some of the highlights of what is going on around the peak district over the next few weeks. Take a cycling break in scenic peak district visitengland. An emergency back up number is provided in the unlikely event that you require assistance.
This splendid cycling and walking trail runs through the beautiful sett valley in the peak district. And situated as it is in a most beautiful part of the park, the paddock house farm holiday cottages constitute a great base to enjoy the experience. Now that the old railway tunnels are fully open along this route, it is surely one of the most scenic cycle tracks in england, with some of the best views the peak district has to offer. Quiet roads then take you through the beautiful peak district to buxton. The peak district from amazing countryside walks and scenic cycling trails, to spectacular rock climbing opportunities to quaint country villages. Whether you are a pistonthighed roadie, a pannierladen tourer, fancy the occasional recreational pedal or just going out with a spin with the family, the peak district is now the goto destination for cyclists in the uk.
It is the first time the public have been able to go through the tunnels since the former midland railway line closed in 1968. The peak district national park offers a great cycling experience. The peak district mountain biking route guides and maps. The peak district has some of the best bike trails and paths in the uk. Cycling in the peak district routes and climbs human cyclist. The trail runs along the former midland railway line for 8. Cycling in derbyshire and the peak district bike ride maps. Below you will find sections on different aspects of cycling in derbyshire and the peak district. The route takes you through some of the peak districts most spectacular limestone dales bring bikes to make the most of it with a handful of dramatic tunnels along the way lighting throughout. Silver cycling in the peak district and the monsal trail. 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 twowheeled pedalpowered pleasure, little wonder that the peak district of derbyshire is regarded as the mecca of cycling enthusiasts. From 25 may 2011 the four railway tunnels headstone tunnel, cressbrook tunnel, litton tunnel, chee tor tunnel will. Tunnel works to force closure of part of peak district cycle route.
The area has wonderful areas for walking, cycling and climbing, amazing show caves, pretty towns like bakewell and ashbourne and numerous unique attractions. If that wasnt enough of a tunnel fix, two shorter tunnels chee tor no. The monsal trail is the 3rd and final instalment of nice works threepart peak district series. Come at stay at derwent house in matlock and find out why its ideally suited for your selfguided cycling holiday. The path runs from waterhouses to hulme end along a former railway line. Cycling in the peak district and over 8 million other books are available for. The monsal trail is a traffic free route for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users through some of the peak districts most spectacular limestone dales. Pedal peak district interacted with just over 3,000 people at cycling training, rides and. An area of great diversity, it is mostly split into the dark peak, where most of the moorland is found and the geology is gritstone, and the limestone area of the white. With clear information, an overview and introduction for each walk, expertly written numbered directions, ordnance survey. The western portals of the woodhead tunnels in 1953. A network of power assisted bicycles has been launched in the peak district this year, making cycling an. Peak district cycling archives peak district cycling. Work started to reopen the tunnels and improve the surface of the monsal trail in december 2009 and was completed in may 2011 through the pedal peak district project.