This mountain bike route of 26miles is set in the
Derbyshire Dales, an area of rolling hills and deep
valleys in the Peak District. It travels in an anticlockwise
direction from the High Peak Trail and takes in a good
number of the Dales. As well as stunning scenery there
some great descents and hard climbs. Keep an eye on
the weather though, if it’s wet it’s muddy and there is
one section, mentioned in the text, which could flood
when the River Wye is high. It hasn't been a problem for
me so far though.
1. The ride starts in Sparklow car park on the High Peak
Trail, just off the A515, 6.5miles south east of Buxton
(GR128659). Leave the car park using the entrance at
the road and turn right to climb to the junction with the
A515. Turn left onto the A515 and ride for about
1/2mile to the ‘Bull’i’th’Thorn’ pub on the right. Turn
right onto the double track just before the pub and follow
it down to a crossroad. Go across the junction then
follow the track as it bears right and descends to a
junction just after some cottages on the left
(GR149670).
Derbyshire Dales, an area of rolling hills and deep
valleys in the Peak District. It travels in an anticlockwise
direction from the High Peak Trail and takes in a good
number of the Dales. As well as stunning scenery there
some great descents and hard climbs. Keep an eye on
the weather though, if it’s wet it’s muddy and there is
one section, mentioned in the text, which could flood
when the River Wye is high. It hasn't been a problem for
me so far though.
1. The ride starts in Sparklow car park on the High Peak
Trail, just off the A515, 6.5miles south east of Buxton
(GR128659). Leave the car park using the entrance at
the road and turn right to climb to the junction with the
A515. Turn left onto the A515 and ride for about
1/2mile to the ‘Bull’i’th’Thorn’ pub on the right. Turn
right onto the double track just before the pub and follow
it down to a crossroad. Go across the junction then
follow the track as it bears right and descends to a
junction just after some cottages on the left
(GR149670).
2. Turn left on the lane then continue straight on past a junction on the left signed to Flagg. At the following T-junction,
with the sub-station on the left, turn right to the crossroads a short distance later. Turn right and climb the lane to a
four-way junction with some dirt tracks, not long after going over the crest of the hill (GR158685). Turn left and descend
the double track to a gate in the bottom of the dip.
with the sub-station on the left, turn right to the crossroads a short distance later. Turn right and climb the lane to a
four-way junction with some dirt tracks, not long after going over the crest of the hill (GR158685). Turn left and descend
the double track to a gate in the bottom of the dip.
between the bushes. The track then descends through a tight left hand bend
and becomes rocky before reaching a stream, with a fence straight ahead.
Turn right and follow the coarse of the stream, keeping to the right, and pick up
a vague trail that crosses the field diagonally to a small gate in the opposite
right hand corner (GR171703).
4. After the gate turn left and follow the A6 up Taddington Dale. Climb the
main road through a number of bends to a junction with a lane on the right,
signed to Brushfield, on a left hand bend in the main road just after a layby on
the left (GR157714). Be careful here as the A6 is pretty busy and there is not
much visibility around the bend.
and becomes rocky before reaching a stream, with a fence straight ahead.
Turn right and follow the coarse of the stream, keeping to the right, and pick up
a vague trail that crosses the field diagonally to a small gate in the opposite
right hand corner (GR171703).
4. After the gate turn left and follow the A6 up Taddington Dale. Climb the
main road through a number of bends to a junction with a lane on the right,
signed to Brushfield, on a left hand bend in the main road just after a layby on
the left (GR157714). Be careful here as the A6 is pretty busy and there is not
much visibility around the bend.
side. Go into the field on the left and follow the dry stone wall on the right to a gate. Go
through the gate and follow the track along the ridge, with views over Monsal Dale on the
right. The track soon bears left then right for a fast, rocky descent. At the next junction
follow the main trail 90deg left, don't go straight on down the muddy trail. After a flatter
section go through a gate and descend steeply again on rocks. At the bottom go straight
on across the Monsal Trail and under the bridge then bear right over the river to a
junction with a lane in Upperdale (GR177721).
through the gate and follow the track along the ridge, with views over Monsal Dale on the
right. The track soon bears left then right for a fast, rocky descent. At the next junction
follow the main trail 90deg left, don't go straight on down the muddy trail. After a flatter
section go through a gate and descend steeply again on rocks. At the bottom go straight
on across the Monsal Trail and under the bridge then bear right over the river to a
junction with a lane in Upperdale (GR177721).
6. Turn left and follow the road through Monsal Dale to
Cressbrook. At the junction just after Cressbrook Mill go up the
very steep lane ahead on the left (GR173728). The lane bears
left and comes to a crossroad. Go straight across and continue
climbing to the next junction at the top. Go straight on then bear
right to a junction by a church on the right (GR167733). Take the
track on the left and descend, with the dry stone wall on the right,
to a gate. After the gate follow the grassy trail straight on to the next gate. After the gate turn
90deg left then descend through a right then left hairpin to a gate. After the gate continue
straight on to the lane in Litton Mill in the bottom of the Miller’s Dale.
7. Turn right and follow the lane for just under 2miles through the stunning scenery of Miller’s
Dale, all the way to the village at the junction with the main road (GR141734). Turn right onto
the main road then almost immediately turn left up the steep lane. Not far up the climb turn left
onto the track signposted as the Limestone Way. Follow this track as it bears right and climbs
to a farm. Go straight on into the farm then at the far side of the yard turn left through a gate.
Climb the double track past a track on the left then through a right hand bend and on to a
gated junction at the top (GR138745). After the gate turn left and follow the double track to a
crossroad junction at a house (GR137752).
90deg left then descend through a right then left hairpin to a gate. After the gate continue
straight on to the lane in Litton Mill in the bottom of the Miller’s Dale.
7. Turn right and follow the lane for just under 2miles through the stunning scenery of Miller’s
Dale, all the way to the village at the junction with the main road (GR141734). Turn right onto
the main road then almost immediately turn left up the steep lane. Not far up the climb turn left
onto the track signposted as the Limestone Way. Follow this track as it bears right and climbs
to a farm. Go straight on into the farm then at the far side of the yard turn left through a gate.
Climb the double track past a track on the left then through a right hand bend and on to a
gated junction at the top (GR138745). After the gate turn left and follow the double track to a
crossroad junction at a house (GR137752).
8. Turn left and descend the lane through Monk’s Dale. Bear left then right to
climb out of the Dale. At the end of the right hand bend go through a gate on
the left, signposted for the Pennine Bridleway (GR129752). Climb straight on
through the field in the direction of the signpost to a dry stone wall. Turn right
at the wall and continue climbing to a gate in the top left hand corner of the
field. After the gate climb the muddy and rocky singletrack between the dry
stone walls. Near the top of the climb follow the track right. The track then
jinks left then right followed by a right then left, through a gate before
descending to a junction with a road in the village of Wormhill (GR122745).
9. Turn right onto the road then almost immediately left into Old Hall Farm.
climb out of the Dale. At the end of the right hand bend go through a gate on
the left, signposted for the Pennine Bridleway (GR129752). Climb straight on
through the field in the direction of the signpost to a dry stone wall. Turn right
at the wall and continue climbing to a gate in the top left hand corner of the
field. After the gate climb the muddy and rocky singletrack between the dry
stone walls. Near the top of the climb follow the track right. The track then
jinks left then right followed by a right then left, through a gate before
descending to a junction with a road in the village of Wormhill (GR122745).
9. Turn right onto the road then almost immediately left into Old Hall Farm.
Follow the concrete paving around to the left of the farmhouse to a gate. Go straight on
through the gate and descend, with the dry stone wall on the right, to the next gate. After
the gate continue straight on until there is the choice of two fields ahead. Enter the field
on the right and continue straight on, following the dry stone wall on the left, to a gate in
the bottom corner of the field. Go through the gate and follow the double track to the
lane at the houses (GR111746).
10. Turn left onto the tarmac. After the houses follow the lane as it bears left then right
skirting the woods. Ignore the Pennine BW tracks at this point, they go in the same
direction but are very soft and covered in deep hoof prints. The lane bears right through
a farm and comes to a right hand bend just after, with a gate on the left (GR114729).
Turn left and go through the gate for a grassy switchback descent into Chee Dale. Near
the bottom go past the Pennine BW alternative route on the right and continue on the
singletrack as it turns right under the bridge shortly after, then descend to the banks of
the River Wye (GR114727). This is the bit that could flood when the river is high. Go
through the gate and descend, with the dry stone wall on the right, to the next gate. After
the gate continue straight on until there is the choice of two fields ahead. Enter the field
on the right and continue straight on, following the dry stone wall on the left, to a gate in
the bottom corner of the field. Go through the gate and follow the double track to the
lane at the houses (GR111746).
10. Turn left onto the tarmac. After the houses follow the lane as it bears left then right
skirting the woods. Ignore the Pennine BW tracks at this point, they go in the same
direction but are very soft and covered in deep hoof prints. The lane bears right through
a farm and comes to a right hand bend just after, with a gate on the left (GR114729).
Turn left and go through the gate for a grassy switchback descent into Chee Dale. Near
the bottom go past the Pennine BW alternative route on the right and continue on the
singletrack as it turns right under the bridge shortly after, then descend to the banks of
the River Wye (GR114727). This is the bit that could flood when the river is high. Go
11. Turn right onto the A6 and follow it for roughly ½ mile to a junction with a
muddy track on the inside of a left hand bend (GR094725), just after a stone
bridge and stone building on the right. Be careful on this junction as it is on a
blind bend of a busy main road. If you go under a second railway bridge on the
A6 you have gone too far. Climb the trail right then left over the railway bridge.
This is the last difficult climb. At the top bear right into King Sterndale where
the track becomes tarmac. Follow the lane out of the village to a junction with a
dirt track where the lane turns right (GR092715).
12. Go ahead and slightly left along the dirt track to a gate. After the gate go
straight on to cut diagonally across the field to a gate in the dry stone wall on the
other side. Go through the gate head in the same direction to cut diagonally across
this second field towards the power lines and a small gate in the dry stone wall ahead.
After the small gate follow the grassy singletrack along the edge of Deep Dale (a
different one) on the left. The track soon descends into the Dale where it becomes
rocky. Turn left at the bottom to a gate at the junction of Deep Dale, Back Dale and
Horseshoe Dale (GR096707). Go through the gate and turn left then right to climb
the wide grassy track along the bottom of Horseshoe Dale. There are little rock
sections on the way up to keep things interesting. Near the end the track bears left
then right to a farm.
13. Go straight on through the wooden gate and on to the road. Turn left and follow
the road to a junction on a left hand bend (GR102699). Go straight on to leave the
main road and head towards Chelmorton. At the following crossroad go straight on
then follow the road as it climbs left then right, past a lane on the left, to a four-way
other side. Go through the gate head in the same direction to cut diagonally across
this second field towards the power lines and a small gate in the dry stone wall ahead.
After the small gate follow the grassy singletrack along the edge of Deep Dale (a
different one) on the left. The track soon descends into the Dale where it becomes
rocky. Turn left at the bottom to a gate at the junction of Deep Dale, Back Dale and
Horseshoe Dale (GR096707). Go through the gate and turn left then right to climb
the wide grassy track along the bottom of Horseshoe Dale. There are little rock
sections on the way up to keep things interesting. Near the end the track bears left
then right to a farm.
13. Go straight on through the wooden gate and on to the road. Turn left and follow
the road to a junction on a left hand bend (GR102699). Go straight on to leave the
main road and head towards Chelmorton. At the following crossroad go straight on
then follow the road as it climbs left then right, past a lane on the left, to a four-way
junction at the top (GR119697). Turn
right and climb the double track. The
track soon flattens off and undulates
across the top of the hill to a junction
with a lane, after roughly 1mile. At the
junction go left to the junction at the
A515 (GR113676).
14. Go across the main road and turn
right to follow the Pennine Bridleway
on the left of the fence. A short
right and climb the double track. The
track soon flattens off and undulates
across the top of the hill to a junction
with a lane, after roughly 1mile. At the
junction go left to the junction at the
A515 (GR113676).
14. Go across the main road and turn
right to follow the Pennine Bridleway
on the left of the fence. A short
distance later turn left and descend the wide trail to a junction in the bottom of the dip (GR110673). Turn left through
the gate onto the High Peak Trail and follow it for 1.5miles for a gentle down hill spin all the way back to the car park
and the end of the ride.
All of this route can be plotted on OS Landranger 119. It has taken me about 3 - 3.5hrs in good conditions and about 4
- 4.5hrs when muddy but as can be seen it was snowy when I finally got round to sorting this route guide and it took me
and Paul 6hrs. There is nowhere I can think of on the way round to fuel up so make sure you take enough for the day.
The Royal Oak pub in Sparklow is worth a visit when you finish for food, great beer and an open fire.
the gate onto the High Peak Trail and follow it for 1.5miles for a gentle down hill spin all the way back to the car park
and the end of the ride.
All of this route can be plotted on OS Landranger 119. It has taken me about 3 - 3.5hrs in good conditions and about 4
- 4.5hrs when muddy but as can be seen it was snowy when I finally got round to sorting this route guide and it took me
and Paul 6hrs. There is nowhere I can think of on the way round to fuel up so make sure you take enough for the day.
The Royal Oak pub in Sparklow is worth a visit when you finish for food, great beer and an open fire.
| www.flattyresmtbroutes.com |
3. Go right, through the gate, and descend the grassy trail along the dry stone wall on the
right. Go right through a small gate in the wall, directly after a wall coming down from the right
hand side of the dale. After the gate turn left and continue following the wall, now on the left,
into Deep Dale. The track becomes a tricky slow speed descent needing skill and balance to
negotiate the rocks and mud. If it’s wet the stream can join the trail at points making it even
more difficult. Near the bottom of Deep Dale follow the track right and climb a short way
5. Climb the lane through a right hand
hairpin and then a left hand bend to
Brushfield. Where the lane turns left
again go straight on through a gate to
the cottages (GR159715). Just after
the cottages go straight on through a
gate to follow the double track right
then left to the next gate. After this
gate continue climbing straight on to a
tree with entrances into a field on either
straight on to the bridge over the river at the cottages. Go left over the wooden bridge then bear right to follow the dirt
lane as it winds through Wye Dale, under the railway bridges. At the end of the trail go through the car park to the A6
(GR103724).
lane as it winds through Wye Dale, under the railway bridges. At the end of the trail go through the car park to the A6
(GR103724).
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