High Peak and Tissington Trails
Former railway lines converted to recreational routes for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders. The High Peak Trail runs for 17 miles from near Buxton to High Peak Junction, Cromford and the Tissington Trail runs 13 miles from Parsley Hay to Ashbourne. Good views out over the rolling limestone countryside,with banks rich in wild flowers during the summer.
Car parks and picnic sites have been created at former stations.
Cycle hire is available at Parsley Hay and Mapleton Lane, Ashbourne.
The trails are generally level and have a variety of surfacing materials, mostly compacted stone and are reasonably firm. They provide easy walking conditions for all abilities and are suitable for wheelchair users. One steep section north of Mapleton Lane.
Hurdlow
Map ref: SK 128659
Limestone and grass surfaced car park near the northern end of the High Peak Trail.
A pleasant, quiet location with picnic tables and level access onto the trail.
Parsley Hay
Map
ref: SK 146637
Tel & fax: 01298 84493
Car park, toilets, picnic site, visitor information and cycle hire with direct access to High Peak and Tissington Trails.
Pay and display car park, free to blue badge holders with three spaces reserved for disabled parking.
Toilets include disabled facilities.
Picnic benches with wheelchair access.
The cycle hire centre has a comprehensive range of specially adapted bikes to suit all abilities (phone for details / availability).
Friden
Map ref: SK 172607
This informal car park lies opposite the entrance to Friden Brickworks. The limestone surface is fairly smooth and gives level if occasionally muddy access onto the High Peak Trail.
An accessible picnic table is provided.
Minninglow
Map ref: SK 194581
A secluded car park and picnic site, south of Pikehall on the A5012, adjacent to the High Peak Trail. The crushed limestone surfacing is fairly smooth.
The picnic tables on the trail can be reached by those in wheelchairs, but those in the adjoining grassy picnic area may require assistance to reach.
Level access onto the trail.
Hartington Station
Map ref: SK 149610
A large car park with toilets and picnic site, giving level access onto the Tissington Trail. The parking area is surfaced with stone chippings and concrete reinforced grass, giving a somewhat uneven finish. Pay and display, free to blue badge holders.
There is a toilet suitable for disabled people, open all year, RADAR key needed.
The picnic tables are accessible at the ends to those in wheelchairs.
Ruby Wood
Map ref: SK 149604
Picnic site in a woodland setting 800m south of Hartington Station car park along the level Tissington Trail. The mainly broadleaved trees were planted in 1991 to celebrate the Peak District National Park’s 40th anniversary.
It is about 5m from the trail to the field gate which is nearly 3m wide with a latch that must be reached from above; there is also a slight dip in the ground which might make independent wheelchair use difficult.
The field slopes very gently up to 3 picnic tables which are accessible at the ends to wheelchair users. It is possible to follow various 'rides' through the wood.
Alsop en le Dale Station
Map Ref: SK 155549
Large Pay and Display car park (free to blue badge holders) and picnic site giving level access to the Tissington Trail close to the A515. The crushed limestone surface is smooth.
The picnic tables are accessible to people in wheelchairs.
Tissington Station
Map ref: SK 177520
A large pay and display car park, free to blue badge holders (three spaces reserved), with toilets and picnic site next to the Tissington Trail. The stone surface is fairly smooth, with level access to the picnic tables.
The toilets include one suitable for disabled people.
A refreshment kiosk operate during the summer months.
There is a slope down from the car park to the trail, with a gradient of 1:12 for 20m.
Information board.
Thorpe Station
Map ref: SK 165503
This small car park is surfaced with limestone chippings and grass, having a fairly smooth surface and level access onto the Tissington Trail.
Picnic tables are provided.
Narlows Lane, Thorpe
Map ref: SK 163504
Informal grass and limestone chippings car park close to Thorpe Station, 1 mile from Thorpe village.
No immediate access onto footpaths or views out.
Mapleton Lane, near Ashbourne
Map
ref:
SK 175473
Tel: 01335 343156
Pay and display car park, free to blue badge holders (three spaces reserved) and cycle hire centre with level access to the Tissington Trail. The car park is surfaced in smooth tarmac and the trail is of compacted limestone.
There is level access to the new toilet block, one of which is for use by disabled people.
The centre has a range of cycles, some suitable for use by people with disabilities (phone to check availabilty).
About 400 metres north of the cycle hire centre the Tissington Trail dips down and up where a viaduct has been removed; both slopes are about 40m long with gradients of 1:9 so cyclists must dismount.
