Peak District Cycling orange bullet point image.Home Cycle routes in the Peak District orange bullet point image.Contact Peak District Cycleways orange bullet point image.About Us Cycling in the Peak District orenge bullet point image.Advice Links to cycling and transport sites orange bullet point image.Info and Fun Links to the peak district cycleways photo galleries bullet point image.Gallery Links to cycling and transport sites orange bullet point image.Links Peak District Cycling routes orange bullet point image.Search



The map above shows a sample of the 30+ routes featured on the site.

Events Diary

15 June 2013 - Women on Wheels: Cycles Cotton & Cheese!
Venue: Meet Parsley Hay Cycle Hire. GR: SK1464 6376.

12 miles. A leisurely Ranger led cycle ride through parts of the White Peak and ...
Read more...

15 June 2013 - Bike Week - 2013
Venue: All over the UK...

Registration for Bike Week is now open and there has already had a number of dif...
Read more...

23 June 2013 - Endurance Fuel Peak Epic sportive
Venue: Bakewell Agriculture Centre DE45 1AQ

The Endurance Fuel Peak Epic is set to become the toughest Peak District sportiv...
Read more...

30 June 2013 - Peak District 100 bike ride
Venue: HSBC Sports Club, Sports Pavilion, Hathersage Road, Dore, Sheffield S17 3AA

The Peak District 100 is one of, if not the toughest, in the RIDE 100 series. Se...
Read more...

Fancy a ride in Britain's finest National Park? Then check out our website for the best places to go on two wheels in the Peak District, with routes to suit all abilities and a round-up of the local facilities and attractions on offer.

Cycling in the Peak District is really taking off, thanks in part to the opening up of traffic-free trails along former railway lines - all of them showcased here. They're great if you want to enjoy breathtaking scenery in peace and safety, and on many you can hire bikes for the day and search out village pubs and cafes for that perfect day out.

Our website also features some hand-picked mountain bikes routes, as well as a few longer rides around quiet country lanes if you really want to stretch your legs. Cycling in whatever form you choose is one of the best exercises imaginable. It's healthy, affordable and environmentally-friendly, and the perfect way to both enjoy and respect the natural beauty of the Peak District National Park.

We launched our site in 2011 and some elements are still being developed, so give us your feedback and let us know what you like about it and what can be improved.

Happy cycling!


Cycling News

Is risk management taking the fun out of cycling the trails?
I had a great ride today, 20 miles or so linking various White Peak cycle trails...
Read more...

Cyclists beware - tunnel vision ahead
This month (May) essential maintenance work is being carried out on the lighting...
Read more...

Cycle trails or cycle lanes - what's the answer for the Peak?
From the outset our Cycleways website was inspired by off-road, traffic-free cy...
Read more...

Making sense of the road ahead
I have to admit that it’s not been the most inviting of conditions for cycling...
Read more...

What is the real economic impact of leisure cycling in the Peak District?
British Cycling recently released their latest annual report and, not surprising...
Read more...

  • Peak District Cycling Festival
  • Hassop Station, bike hire, repairs, bookshop and cafe in the Peak District
  • Cycle hire and refreshments in the upper Derwent Valley
Image: Wiggle cycle shop link


All content © 2013 www.peakdistrictcycleways.co.uk | search engine optimisation and website built by Chevinside | Partner Sites

The Peak District in General

The Peak District is mainly in Derbyshire but extends into surrounding counties. Amongst the attractions are Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and gardens, Eyam (the plague village) Hall and the Caverns in the Peak. There is something for everyone, walkers, climbers (gritstone edges such as Stanage, Birchen, Froggatt, Curbar and bouldering), sightseers looking for stately homes, museums, or stunning scenery, gardeners, steam railway enthusiasts and families looking for theme parks. Geographically, it is divided into two regions, the White Peak and the Dark Peak.

The Peak District has a wealth of quiet minor roads suitable for cycle touring. Several of the disused railway track beds have been converted into cycle trails, perfect for family groups, disabled cyclists and occasional cyclists. In addition, there is plenty of off-road action for both inexperienced and experienced mountain bikers on fantastic singletrack, bridleways and other tracks.

High Peak Trail

There are plenty of places to join the trail which is a dismantled railway (see the High Peak Trail page for more information about the Cromford and High Peak Railway). You can start at the Cromford canal junction (3/4 mile incline to get you warmed up plus a shorter but equally as steep one to get to Middleton Top!) and go almost to Buxton. For a flatter start, you could go from Middleton Top which misses out the main climbs or start at the Buxton end. Parsley Hay and Friden are also popular starting points.

Tissington Trail

Another dismantled railway running from Ashbourne to join the High Peak trail south of Parsley Hay. You could make a longer circular ride by starting at Ashbourne, then head SE on the High Peak trail from Parsley Hay, coming off at Middleton Top or Black rocks and return to Ashbourne via the roads and assorted bridleways.

Manifold Way

This runs from Waterhouses to Hulme End and passes through the valleys of the river Hamps and Manifold. Off road trail and minor road cycling. Passes the Thor's Cave and the Ecton Copper mine, following the track bed of the former narrow gauge Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway.

Sustrans

Sustrans is the national UK charity dedicated to the promotion of sustainable transport, getting people out on foot, bike or by public transport. Sustrans has organised a large number of cycle routes nationwide. Some make it easier and safer for cycle commuters whilst others follow mainly quiet roads and bridleways to enable cycle tourists to enjoy their exploration of the countryside. Each is signposted and it is possible to obtain the maps for a small fee from the Sustrans web site at http://www.sustrans.org.uk. All monies support the work of this charity. Some of the key sustrans cycle routes open in (or near to) the Peak District are National Route 6 from Leicester to Sheffield, National Route 54 from Lichfield to Little Eaton and National Route 68, The Pennine Cycleway (which continues north from the Peak District right up the Berwick-upon-Tweed. You can find a free overview map of the national routes and local cycle trails free here.

Basic Bike Maintenance

Keeping your bike in tip-top condition is essential not just for safety but also to avoid a long walk! Here are a few tips on maintaining your bike in good condition. The list is not exhaustive by any means but checking after a ride can save disappointment ...

Tyres - after each ride, visually inspect your tyres and check that there are no cuts in the rubber that are deep. Also check for thorns or other small sharp objects. This can help avoid the annoying need to repair a puncture just before you hop on the bike for the next ride.

Drivetrain - clean it thoroughly if you have been riding somewhere muddy and re-lubricate. Wipe off any excess lubricant with a clean cloth. This will help to stop the chain and other components rusting. Check the system regularly for wear and replace it before it has had chance to wear away the teeth of the chainset or gears otherwise you will have an expensive repair!

Brakes - whether you have disc brakes or rim brakes, visually check for wear and replace the pads if they are getting low. Both types of brakes have pads that wear surprising fast in adverse conditions.

Other areas of your bike to check between rides are the wheel bearings and head set. If there is any 'play' it is advisable to get them adjusted. Play means that the bearings are loose and that can lead to premature failure.