Sunday 20 Jun 2005 was when Mark
and myself had decided to have a
go at the Cut Gate route starting
from Glossop. The weather forecast
just got better and better until we
were looking a temperature of about
30C. With our Camelbacks filled to
the brim we set off to Glossop for an
early start. A right turn at the main
lights in Glossop, onto the A624,
followed almost immediately by a left
turn brought us to the car park we
were to set off from.
1. From the car park turn left on the
A624 towards Hayfield and climb out
of Glossop. After about 2.5miles go
over the crest of the hill and
descend through a couple of bends
to a gate on the outside of the
second right hander, the one with
the house on the inside at the start
of the trees (GR035894).
and myself had decided to have a
go at the Cut Gate route starting
from Glossop. The weather forecast
just got better and better until we
were looking a temperature of about
30C. With our Camelbacks filled to
the brim we set off to Glossop for an
early start. A right turn at the main
lights in Glossop, onto the A624,
followed almost immediately by a left
turn brought us to the car park we
were to set off from.
1. From the car park turn left on the
A624 towards Hayfield and climb out
of Glossop. After about 2.5miles go
over the crest of the hill and
descend through a couple of bends
to a gate on the outside of the
second right hander, the one with
the house on the inside at the start
of the trees (GR035894).
2. Through the gate go straight on along the double track for about 20m then drop down to the right into Hollingworth
Clough and choose whether to cross the stream by the bridge or the ford. Once past the stream there is a challenging
loose rocky singletrack climb to try and clean. This goes on for a little under 1mile until the track drops away left to
another stream crossing. There is then a short carry up some stone steps. Back on the bike at the top follow the trail to
a wooden bridge that leads on to a junction (GR049883). Turn left and then take the track off to the right following the
line of the hill. Within about 20m turn right down the singletrack signposted as a BW. The track descends round to the
left then steepens. At the triangular junction drop down to the right through the gap in the drystone wall. The track
widens but is still loose and rocky. After a short while the track finishes in a drystone wall where there is a good view
over Kinder Reservoir. Turn right and follow the cobbled path down to the gate at the road (GR053880). Watch out for
pedestrians as this is quite a popular path.
3. Follow the road straight ahead to a big green gate. Turn left over a bridge
and climb up the road, past the dead end sign and between the houses. Where
the BW crosses the road turn right through the gate (GR054878). Climb the
rocky track as it snakes its way up the field till it flattens out by the woods. Follow
the BW sign to the right up the deeply rutted double track. Where the track splits
turn left and ride along the contour of the hill by the drystone wall. Go through
the gap in the wall straight ahead then descend into the next field finally climbing
to the gate in the opposite right hand corner (GR066872). Turn right through
the gate and climb the track between the drystone walls. The track opens out
then eventually flattens off and turns right to a gate. After the gate
5. Go over the stone bridge and through the first gate of about three along the
track, this ends at some buildings and a gate. Go straight ahead on the tarmac,
through the next gate, then descend left/right over a bridge and up a short climb
with a telephone box on the right at the top (GR103853). On the left is Upper
Booth Farm and a tea and cake stop (I recommend the lemon drizzle cake, if it's
open). Continue down the road through a number of corners to a straight
downhill section that passes a car park, under a bridge and finally comes out at a
T-junction (GR113847). Turn left and follow the lane, as it turns immediately
right, into Edale.
7. At the crossroad in the trail go straight over and down the Hagg farm descent.
This descent starts out fast but soon becomes rocky and technical just before
the gate. This continues as a technical descent on big rocks until it runs out 3/4
of the way down at a gate on a hairpin Turn hard left before the gate and
descend to a small bridge. Once across climb up the steep, tricky track to the
A57. Cross the A57 and take the lane leading uphill to the left. A small way up
the climb, at the left turn to the Hagg Farm outdoor education center, go through
the gate straight ahead and up the rocky climb, a climb I still have yet to clean.
The hard part of the climb finishes just after the 2nd gate.
8. Go through this gate and up the rocky trail straight ahead (GR163890).
Follow the wide BW past Lockerbrook farm and after the gate on to the final
rocky part of th eascent. On arriving at the top get your breath back for a
fantastic descent to the road at the Derwent reservoir. Turn right and follow the
road back to the roundabout at visitors center, another good place to refuel
Follow the wide BW past Lockerbrook farm and after the gate on to the final
rocky part of th eascent. On arriving at the top get your breath back for a
fantastic descent to the road at the Derwent reservoir. Turn right and follow the
road back to the roundabout at visitors center, another good place to refuel
it descends right the to stream crossing near Cranberry Clough (GR170963).
10. After crossing the water using the bridge or the ford follow the singletrack,
signed as a BW, off up the valley on the right. This track thins, becoming
steeper, and zig-zags its way out of the head of the valley. After pushing in a few
10. After crossing the water using the bridge or the ford follow the singletrack,
signed as a BW, off up the valley on the right. This track thins, becoming
steeper, and zig-zags its way out of the head of the valley. After pushing in a few
that make things easier until the final short scramble to the top (GR186961).
11. This is where the pay back starts. The descent of Cut Gate begins with peat
singletrack going over the top of the moor, scattered with rocks and bogs, then
as to trail steepens large boulder fields come into play that will test your technical
ability. As it drops left into a Mickleden Edge, traversing the right hand slope, the
trail then speeds up for a fast blast on some great gritstone singletrack. About
2/3rds of the way down the singletrack go straight on at the junction with the trail
on the right (GR191986). Head towards the short climb that can be seen
11. This is where the pay back starts. The descent of Cut Gate begins with peat
singletrack going over the top of the moor, scattered with rocks and bogs, then
as to trail steepens large boulder fields come into play that will test your technical
ability. As it drops left into a Mickleden Edge, traversing the right hand slope, the
trail then speeds up for a fast blast on some great gritstone singletrack. About
2/3rds of the way down the singletrack go straight on at the junction with the trail
on the right (GR191986). Head towards the short climb that can be seen
ahead. About halfway between the
junction and the climb follow the 45deg
turn to the bottom of the climb. Once
up the short incline follow the trail
round the right hand side of the small
hill onto another fast part of the track,
that has a few jumps available, that
bears to the left and comes to a few
tight rocky turns at the trees. After the
final left the trail comes to a gate and a
bridge over a stream (GR198006).
junction and the climb follow the 45deg
turn to the bottom of the climb. Once
up the short incline follow the trail
round the right hand side of the small
hill onto another fast part of the track,
that has a few jumps available, that
bears to the left and comes to a few
tight rocky turns at the trees. After the
final left the trail comes to a gate and a
bridge over a stream (GR198006).
suffering from dehydration.
13. Continue climbing the road and on the next left hander there is a choice of
the Boundary Walk BW on the right, a gassy double track climb, or the road.
Due to tiredness and time we took the road but did notice that at the top, where
the BW parallels the road, the trail had become gritstone singletrack. At the top
descend on the road through a long right hander to a junction on the left hand
bend (GR141005). Turn left on the inside of the bend and go through the gate.
Go down hill on gravel double track, turning right halfway down, then near the
end follow the trail up a short climb back to the road.
13. Continue climbing the road and on the next left hander there is a choice of
the Boundary Walk BW on the right, a gassy double track climb, or the road.
Due to tiredness and time we took the road but did notice that at the top, where
the BW parallels the road, the trail had become gritstone singletrack. At the top
descend on the road through a long right hander to a junction on the left hand
bend (GR141005). Turn left on the inside of the bend and go through the gate.
Go down hill on gravel double track, turning right halfway down, then near the
end follow the trail up a short climb back to the road.
14. Go straight across the road, through the gate, and onto the double track
leading off to the left heading down towards the reservoir in the valley. After
riding on the flat for a while the track starts descend and comes to a junction
(GR117001). Turn left on the track signed for the Woodhead tunnel. This gravel
track twists its way down hill, over a few water bars, and comes out at a tarmac
lane. Turn right, then straight on over the gravel to the end of the tunnel. Bear
left onto the disused railway and the start of the cycle path.
15. Follow the cycle path all the way to the end at the start of the houses in
Hadfield (GR024961). Go straight ahead on the road, with the bridge on the left,
leading off to the left heading down towards the reservoir in the valley. After
riding on the flat for a while the track starts descend and comes to a junction
(GR117001). Turn left on the track signed for the Woodhead tunnel. This gravel
track twists its way down hill, over a few water bars, and comes out at a tarmac
lane. Turn right, then straight on over the gravel to the end of the tunnel. Bear
left onto the disused railway and the start of the cycle path.
15. Follow the cycle path all the way to the end at the start of the houses in
Hadfield (GR024961). Go straight ahead on the road, with the bridge on the left,
about 50m to a junction. Take the road on the left that immediately turns right and drops downhill, so in essence straight
on.
16. Go all the way to the end of the road and turn left at the lights onto the main road. Follow this road all the way into
Glossop and at the junction with the A624 in the center of town turn right (GR035941). After about 20m turn left into the
car park and the end of the ride.
on.
16. Go all the way to the end of the road and turn left at the lights onto the main road. Follow this road all the way into
Glossop and at the junction with the A624 in the center of town turn right (GR035941). After about 20m turn left into the
car park and the end of the ride.
It has to be said this ride turned into a
beast. It took us 8hrs to complete. I had
planned on about 6hrs taking it easy,
but Mark had one of those days. He's a
very good rider but had a number of offs
that contributed to a couple of
mechanicals that saw us run out of food
and low on water that in the heat quickly
dehydrated us and left us low on energy.
But we made it through and I look back
on it as one of the top rides of the year.
beast. It took us 8hrs to complete. I had
planned on about 6hrs taking it easy,
but Mark had one of those days. He's a
very good rider but had a number of offs
that contributed to a couple of
mechanicals that saw us run out of food
and low on water that in the heat quickly
dehydrated us and left us low on energy.
But we made it through and I look back
on it as one of the top rides of the year.
At about 43miles it is not as long as a Merida but the terrain is difficult. The
descents on this route take almost as much effort as the climbs and they are
descents on this route take almost as much effort as the climbs and they are
places the climb comes out of the rocks and onto peat singletrack that looks like it could be hard going if wet. In the dry
the ground is soft and deceptively steep so is pretty draining. The next section of track is paved with large stone flags
the ground is soft and deceptively steep so is pretty draining. The next section of track is paved with large stone flags
take the track which drops away to the left and eventually comes to a fork. Take the less distinct boggy track to the right,
not the one which climbs left. Very soon firm singletrack appears that bears left and comes to a gate (GR066861).
4. Turn left at the gate and climb the wide rocky track which very soon comes to another gate. What follows is a very
difficult climb (mainly the second half) to Edale cross, it is doable on a good day - just. At the summit is a short descent to
the gate at the top of Jacobs Ladder (GR081861). Time to drop your saddle if you need to. Go straight on at the gate
and start the descent. Loose rocks, slabs, very steep cobbles, steps and more rocks are the order of the day. Half way
down on a tight right hand corner go through the gate on the right, not the footpath off to the left. Negotiate the
criss-crossing rutted descent, trying to miss the odd rock, and through a tight left hander. The trail becomes very rocky
and bumpy all the way to the gate and the stream at the bottom. Always a good place to massage pumped up forearms.
not the one which climbs left. Very soon firm singletrack appears that bears left and comes to a gate (GR066861).
4. Turn left at the gate and climb the wide rocky track which very soon comes to another gate. What follows is a very
difficult climb (mainly the second half) to Edale cross, it is doable on a good day - just. At the summit is a short descent to
the gate at the top of Jacobs Ladder (GR081861). Time to drop your saddle if you need to. Go straight on at the gate
and start the descent. Loose rocks, slabs, very steep cobbles, steps and more rocks are the order of the day. Half way
down on a tight right hand corner go through the gate on the right, not the footpath off to the left. Negotiate the
criss-crossing rutted descent, trying to miss the odd rock, and through a tight left hander. The trail becomes very rocky
and bumpy all the way to the gate and the stream at the bottom. Always a good place to massage pumped up forearms.
6. Go straight on through the junction in Edale, although there is a cafe stop on the left by the station that does great tea
and cakes. Follow this lane for 1.5miles and after Nether Booth take the BW through the small gate on the left. Climb
past Clough farm, through the gate, then take the track on the left that climbs across the side of the hill. After the gate at
the top descend through Jaggers Clough and then climb again to Hope Cross (GR160876).
and cakes. Follow this lane for 1.5miles and after Nether Booth take the BW through the small gate on the left. Climb
past Clough farm, through the gate, then take the track on the left that climbs across the side of the hill. After the gate at
the top descend through Jaggers Clough and then climb again to Hope Cross (GR160876).
(GR167910).
9. At the roundabout take the first exit
on the left that leads to the Derwent dam.
Climb away from the dam and at the top
turn sharp left onto a wide track. This
track travels up the valley on right hand
side of the reservoirs, first the Derwent
then the Howden. Continue all the way
up, past the end of the Howden res, to
the head of the valley. Follow the trail as
9. At the roundabout take the first exit
on the left that leads to the Derwent dam.
Climb away from the dam and at the top
turn sharp left onto a wide track. This
track travels up the valley on right hand
side of the reservoirs, first the Derwent
then the Howden. Continue all the way
up, past the end of the Howden res, to
the head of the valley. Follow the trail as
12. Go over the bridge up the steep climb on the other side then around the left hander at the top and onto a wide forest
track. As we were both flagging from the heat and running low on water and food we passed the BW signed off to the left
(that I originally planned to take) and followed the track ahead to the next junction, with the car park signed to the right,
then took a cut through to the left to the A616. Turning left then straight on at the roundabout we came to the Inn a little
way down the road on the right but it turned out to be a restaurant. Although we managed to buy a pint of Coke and blag
a bladder refill there were no snacks to be had and we didn't have the time for three courses. Going back the way we
came we turned right on the A628 and up the Woodhead Pass. The end of the BW we would have come to the road on
was just before a pub on the left (GR179011). I best read the map next time instead of asking people for advise while
fantastic descents with Cut Gate definitely being the highlight. I will be back and next time I will make sure I ride the
sections I missed.
This route crosses and can be combined with other mountain bike routes from my site :
Ladybower Loop
Ladybower Loop (medium)
Hayfield Loop
Hayfield Loop (alternative)
sections I missed.
This route crosses and can be combined with other mountain bike routes from my site :
Ladybower Loop
Ladybower Loop (medium)
Hayfield Loop
Hayfield Loop (alternative)
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