Cycling in the Peak District
Buxton-based Carina Humberstone has been encouraging others to explore the great outdoors for over 30 years and loves nothing more than riding her bike through the British countryside. She is a qualified bike leader and a member of her local mountain rescue team.
Carina is the author of ‘Scenic Cycling in the Peak District’, a guide containing details of 19 beautiful circular cycling routes in the southern and central Peak District. She was keen to tell us more about her favourite places to explore by bike in our national park…
Cycling has benefits for both mental and physical health and cycling through the rural landscapes of the Peak District has added bonuses. Just being outside can boost our mood but when we also connect with nature we can feel calm and less anxious. When cycling in the Peak District this might be hearing the Curlews and Skylarks sing in spring; watching the butterflies in summer; noticing the wonderful, natural colour changes of the trees in autumn or feeling the wind on our face in winter. Perhaps not just in the winter!
The Peak District has something to offer every type of cyclist, at all levels. Mountain bikers are well provided for, as are serious road cyclists, but for those of us who want to dust off the cobwebs, see the sights of the Peak District, whilst factoring in a cafe or pub stop, what is on offer? And can we really avoid the hills?
The quiet lanes and gentle off-road tracks and trails of the southern and central Peak District provide countless opportunities for cycling. Many of the region’s most popular attractions can easily be visited by bicycle. Cycling can benefit the Peak District’s fragile environment through less emissions from car travel and by cycling through the region’s tourist hot spots, we can ease pressure on popular parking places.
Thor’s Cave is a must-see for many and can be seen by bicycle, from the Manifold Valley, the route of a former light railway. This is a wonderful, partially traffic-free, flat route, offering views of the cave from the valley bottom. For those wanting to visit the cave itself, it can be accessed on foot from the cafe at Wetton Mill. Cycle hire is available at Hulme End, where there is also a cafe and public toilets.
An iconic location which is on most Peak District visitor’s to-do list, is the Headstone Viaduct on the Monsal Trail, situated partway between Bakewell and Buxton. The Monsal Trail is a former railway line and is now a relatively level, traffic-free route, perfect for family cycling. There are cycle-hire facilities at Blackwell Mill and Hassop Station, with cafes along the trail. I love the ease of cycling this trail and often used it to commute to work in Bakewell. For those wanting a bigger adventure, it is possible to make a circular route which includes the length of the trail, avoiding the busy A6.
The quintessentially quaint village of Tissington lends itself to be visited by bicycle. The traffic-free Tissington Trail passes right through the village which is less than 5 miles from the cycle hire, public toilets and refreshment kiosk at Ashbourne. The easiest route is there and back along the trail but other routes can add variation.
Parsley Hay, with its café (outdoor seating), public toilets and cycle hire is the perfect place to start your exploration of the Peak District by bike. The Tissington and High Peak Trails can be joined via gentle off-road tracks, with different options depending on the distance you would like to cover. Any hills encountered are gentle, making this a lovely introduction to off-road cycling. Alternatively, if you prefer to stay on tarmac, the ancient market town of Hartington is within easy cycling distance, returning to Parsley Hay through stunning limestone dales. This area is particularly pleasant to ride in spring, when the green fields contrast against the blue sky, dry-stone walls catch the sun and lambs abound in the fields.
Chatsworth Estate is an ideal cycling location for the more experienced cyclist, with a choice of lanes and off-road routes, passing through open grassland and wooded hillsides. The estate has an abundance of wildlife, including the semi-wild fallow and red deer herds. Using off-road tracks and quiet lanes, the estate can be reached from Hassop Station with its cycle hire facility and cafe.
One of my favourite cycling routes circumnavigates Chrome and Parkhouse hills. Walking the ridges can be difficult, especially in wet conditions, whereas riding around them is pure joy. Combining gentle ascents and non-technical downhills, passing through farms, hamlets and green open spaces, with optional fords, this area is a delight. You can start the ride at the car park on the High Peak Trail at Sparklow (Hurdlow) or have an extended ride from Parsley Hay.
Details of circular cycle rides, including those taking in the sights mentioned above, are found in my book Scenic Cycling in the Peak District. The book has 19 of my favourite rides in the southern and central Peak District, which I would like to share with you. The rides are on quiet lanes, gentle tracks and trails. Each route has been carefully planned, avoiding busy roads whilst taking you through beautiful landscapes and quaint villages. This book is the ideal accompaniment for those looking for an introduction to cycling in the area, those wanting to discover off-road riding or those who just want to explore more cycling options. I particularly like the option to adapt rides to suit your plans and type of riding. By consulting the maps, it is straightforward to shorten or lengthen some routes or to avoid off-road sections if you prefer to stay on tarmac.
Although I enjoy walking (I even occasionally break into a jog) I prefer cycling to maintain a reasonable level of physical health. Cycling has less of an impact on our joints than some other activities but still gives our bodies a workout. As with any exercise, cycling can reduce the risk of some illnesses and health conditions. Electric bikes have made cycling more accessible for some, particularly those with health problems. Riding an electric bike is usually less intensive than riding a conventional bike but it still provides health benefits. Electric bikes are perfect for cycling in the Peak District, essentially, they eliminate the hills, of which there are many!
With plenty of reasons and routes to explore the Peak District by bike, what are you waiting for?!
Scenic Cycling in the Peak District is available through major online bookstores, at Spiral Publishing and at some shops, cafes and campsites in the area covered by the book.
