Derbyshire Trails

[Gtpulse]

Planning a trip to Derbyshire next month and looking at what trails I can link together.

There seems like a lot of options - does anyone with local knowledge have any recommendations? I can find lots of trails but not if there is a bike friendly option between them.

So far am hoping to do High Peak, Monsal and Tissington trails, also Carsington water. Are there other less well known in the area/ones that link any of these? I’m ideally looking to not use any roads or just minor ones if necessary.

Thanks in advance!

 

[d8mok]

I’m local so can offer advice.

Forget any of those if it’s a weekend though. Far too busy.

Is it gravel or proper mtb you looking for?

 

[Gtpulse]

Thanks that’s the sort of tips I need! Will be a Thursday/Friday with an overnight Thursday so hopefully avoid the weekend rush. Gravel more than MTB, we usually cycle woodland tracks/byways and bridleways nothing too technical.

 

[d8mok]

Where are you staying?

 

[Gtpulse]

Ashbourne on the Thursday night

 

[Gtpulse]

And it will be a very relaxed 30 to 40 miles a day! Tend to meander a bit and have a detour/look at stuff along the way

 

[bagpuss]

L you have mentioned Tissington and high peak trails are good rides .Tissington trail starts in ashbourne and meets the high peak at parsley hay junction. Also the Manifold trail is worth a visit . Start at Hartington.

A little further a field is the Monsal trail which you have on your itinerary .

The lanes from Clifton village then onto Snelston , and Norbury are delightful . [Main road to get to Clifton from ashbourne ] great for a short evening ride.
The bridge over the Dove a Norbury is a lovely area .
To extend it to a day out
From Norbury you can make your way to Ellastone , Wootton and onto the Weaver hills .
A good climb with a stunning view from the top then down to the manifold trail. Joining it at Waterhouses to Wetton and then road Alstonefield . Join the Tissington trail near Alsop in le dale . [ This will be a challenging ride]
Wetton to Alstonefield is steep
Land ranger 119 for details.

 

[d8mok]

Thursday and Fridays you’ll be ok on the more busy trails. If you can go to lady bower I would as it’s very nice and lots of good areas to ride all different types of terrain.

I’d avoid Monsall unless you are looping it in with other trails.

For gravel type riding I do find it hard to beat TPT near me. You can ride as far as you want.

 

[pigman]

Are you planning on riding out from Ashbourne or doing car assist?
If the former, monsal and ladybower will make it quite a full on ride

 

[Gtpulse]

Are you planning on riding out from Ashbourne or doing car assist?
If the former, monsal and ladybower will make it quite a full on ride

We’ve not sat down and planned properly yet but looking like we can get two loops in. First from Matlock and take in White Peak, Monsal, bit of trans pennine then the high peak trail first day.
Second day from Ashbourne to Carsington Water, back up High Peak trail albeit different direction to previous day to then take Tissington trail back to Ashbourne.

Couple of bits I’m not sure of - looks like some bridleway between white peak trail and Bakewell to get to Monsal trail - is it rideable/not mountain goat steep?