Cycle routes for all

Cycling is one of the most pleasant ways to enjoy the Peak District countryside. The Peak District National Park has over 65 miles of off-road cycling trails and an abundance of scenic quiet lanes. There is bound to be something for you to enjoy, whatever your level of cycling. Find a route to suit you and start exploring.

Traffic-free routes

Many of these routes are disused railway lines made into trails for walkers, horse-riders and cyclists. They are particularly suitable for families or less experienced cyclists.

Route name	Distance (miles)	Description	Map
High Peak Trail	17 (from Dowlow near Buxton to High Peak junction, Cromford)	A linear route along the old Cromford to Buxton railway line close to Wirksworth and Matlock. Links up to the Tissington Trail at Parsley Hay. This route is now fully open after being closed during November 2012 for resurfacing.	(775KB)
Tissington Trail	13 (from Parsley Hay to Ashbourne)	A linear route along the old Ashbourne to Buxton railway line. Links up to the High Peak Trail at Parsley Hay.	(775KB)
Manifold Track and the Dove Valley	9 (from Hulme End to Waterhouses near Leek)	Follows the route of the disused Leek and Manifold Light Railway, through the Manifold and Hamps Valleys from Waterhouses to Hulme End. The track is surfaced and fairly level throughout its length. A section between Swainsley and Wetton Mill is used by traffic (single track) and contains a tunnel 100m long at Swainsley; this is illuminated but still quite dark with small passing places to avoid vehicles.	(3.21MB)
Route 54A and Carsington Water	10 or 8	Route 54A joins Middleton Top to Tissington via about 10 miles of country roads. There is an additional off-road route around Carsington Water of around 8 miles.	(234KB)
Monsal Trail and tunnels	8.5 (Bakewell to Wyedale, near Buxton)	A flat, linear route along a disused railway line between Wyedale near Buxton and Coombs Viaduct close to Bakewell.	(245KB)
Upper Derwent Valley	12 (circuit of Howden and Derwent reservoirs)	A range of easy-going and more challenging off-road routes from Fairholmes around stunning reservoirs in the Upper Derwent Valley, close to Bamford and Sheffield.	(140KB)
Black Harry Trails	12	A series of routes suitable for mountain-biking in the Longstone Edge area of the Peak District National Park.	(318KB)

Pedalling picnics, Biking Banquets

Map and information about local food and drink near cycle trails (1.1MB)

Cycle touring

From the rolling hills and limestone dales of the White Peak to the high heather clad moorlands of the Dark Peak, this is countryside to explore slowly by bike. The nine routes below (7 - 28 miles) have been chosen to offer you some of the best views, the most picturesque villages and an abundance of cycle friendly cafes and pubs. Some routes overlap; you may join parts of two or more routes to create a longer ride and further variety. These rides are suited to more experienced cyclists and are mainly on road, with some including sections of traffic-free trail. They can be completed as half day rides or less by a reasonably fit cyclist, or could be made into a day ride for a moderately fit cyclist interested in exploring at a leisurely pace, stopping at the places of interest and for refreshments. Take special care riding downhill - this is when most accidents occur. The weather in the Peak District is very variable so please carry suitable spare clothing and always take tools and a puncture repair kit on long trips.

Route name	Distance (miles) and climb (feet)	Start	Terrain	Map
Gingerbread and great oaks	8.5 or 18.7 489 or 1581	Ashbourne	Mix of traffic-free trail & quiet lanes with a short stretch of unsurfaced track on the longer route.	(925KB)
Roaches and reservoirs	6.8 or 10.8 814 or 1076	Tittesworth reservoir or Leek	Mainly quiet country roads with challenging climbs. A section of surfaced trail alongside Rudyard Lake.	(1.05MB)
Rail trails and limestone dales	20 1729	Millers Dale, Eyam or Tideswell	Hilly route mainly on quiet lanes. There is a short steep section of rough track at Upperdale and a section along the surfaced Monsal Trail.	(948KB)
Biking and birdsong around Carsington	21 or 18 1900	Middleton Top or Carsington Water	A section on the traffic-free High Peak trail, unsurfaced roads, and quiet country lanes with moderate hills.	(0.98MB)
Matlock moors, hills and mills	24 2454	Matlock or Cromford	A hilly road ride with some challenging climbs.	(1.02MB)
Highs and lows around Hathersage	22 3291	Hathersage or Castleton	A hilly road ride with some challenging climbs.	(0.98MB)
Stately homes and standing stones	26.5 2762	Hassop or Bakewell old stations	A short section of the surfaced Monsal Trail then country lanes. A number of challenging climbs.	(936KB)
Hills, dales and trails	9.5 or 23 1165 or 3363	Parsley Hay or Hartington	A section of the traffic-free Tissington trail, gated roads and challenging road climbs.	(871KB)
High moors and gritstone tors	28 3163	Chapel en le Frith or Buxton	A challenging road ride with some epic climbs.	(932KB)

Here are some long-distance multi-day routes for the more adventurous cyclist:
Trans-Pennine Trail 207 mile coast to coast route from Southport to Hornsea

Pennine Cycleway 355 mile Derby to Berwick upon Tweed

Pennine Bridleway 130 mile route suitable for mountain bikes