7. Turn right on the lane and ride up between the houses to a crossroad
junction (GR990895) where the lane turns 90deg right and descends steeply.
Go straight on up the track ahead and climb to the buildings. Ride between
the buildings to a gate leading into the top of a field. Go through the gate and
follow the fence on the left to the gate on the opposite side, this section can be
a bit muddy. After this next gate climb the tarmac to a large gate at a farm.
Once through the gate keep to the fence on the right and drop down between
the houses on the paved driveway. Before you ask ‘Yes’ this is the legal right
of way. Bear left to the keypad operated gates and go through the small
pedestrian gate on the right hand side. After the gate follow the lane and
through a quick right/left S-bend to a T-junction where the lane turns right
(GR984890).
8. Go through the gate on the left and follow the signed BW. Climb the
double track along the line of the wall on the left to a gate at the top. Go
through the gate and follow the muddy track, which eventually bears right and
descends to a gate. After the gate go straight on and climb the track that
bears left then right before coming to a junction with a lane. Go straight on
and follow the lane to a junction by Hilltop farm, on the right (GR994888).
Bear right and descendthe badly surfaced lane to a junction with the main
road. Turn right and descend on the main road through Moorend. At the next
road junction, the offset crossroad with the pub on the right, turn left
This mountain bike route heads
west from Hayfield to the Goyt
Valley, away from the big climbs of
the Dark Peaks. Although the hills
aren't as high there are still some
good gritstone trails to be found. At
18miles it's not too long but still
quite challenging with couple of big
climbs and a lot of great descending.
1. The ride starts from the Visitor
Centre car park in Hayfield
(GR035869). From the car park
turn left, away from the centre of
Hayfield, and follow the Sett Valley
Trail through the trees. After about
1mile follow the track through a tight
left/right S-bend to a gate that
comes out at a road. Turn right and
follow the road over a stone bridge.
2. Just over the bridge turn right up
a steep cobbled lane at the end of
west from Hayfield to the Goyt
Valley, away from the big climbs of
the Dark Peaks. Although the hills
aren't as high there are still some
good gritstone trails to be found. At
18miles it's not too long but still
quite challenging with couple of big
climbs and a lot of great descending.
1. The ride starts from the Visitor
Centre car park in Hayfield
(GR035869). From the car park
turn left, away from the centre of
Hayfield, and follow the Sett Valley
Trail through the trees. After about
1mile follow the track through a tight
left/right S-bend to a gate that
comes out at a road. Turn right and
follow the road over a stone bridge.
2. Just over the bridge turn right up
a steep cobbled lane at the end of
the row of houses (GR020869). The cobbles quickly give way to a loose track between drystone walls, which reduces
in width as it gains height. This track finishes at a gate on a tarmac hairpin. Continue climbing on the left hand lane to
the junction at the top with a row of cottages straight ahead. Turn left and continue climbing.
in width as it gains height. This track finishes at a gate on a tarmac hairpin. Continue climbing on the left hand lane to
the junction at the top with a row of cottages straight ahead. Turn left and continue climbing.
3. At the next junction, by a small disused quarry on the crest of the climb,
turn right (GR020872). Follow the track past a farm and then straight on at
the junction with the gate on the left. After roughly a 1/2mile keep to the line of
the wall on the left and go straight on down the rocky descent to Laneside
farm (GR014888). This is a great descent that starts steep and rocky then
bears left to a flat, smooth middle section before a bouldery descent to the
junction at the bottom.
4. Follow the tarmac to the left and descend
through a right hand bend to pass the water
wheel at the Little Mill Inn on the left. Climb
through a right hand bend to pass the water
wheel at the Little Mill Inn on the left. Climb
gate and follow the rocky track down to a ford at
the bottom. If you don’t want to hit the ford at
speed and make a big splash there is an easy
crossing just in trees on the left. Climb away
from the ford to the next gate. After the gate
climb the lane to the left. Near the top the lane
the bottom. If you don’t want to hit the ford at
speed and make a big splash there is an easy
crossing just in trees on the left. Climb away
from the ford to the next gate. After the gate
climb the lane to the left. Near the top the lane
5. Turn left to go through a gate and climb
towards Cown Edge Rocks. At the next junction,
were the lane turns tight left and descends, go
straight on and follow the rocky track that climbs
to the ridge. Climb this trail over the top of
Cown Edge then descend to a gate. After the
gate follow the trail immediately left then right
and descend on a gravel track between the
fence and the wall. Go straight on at the next
gate along a wide, muddy section of track. At
the next junction turn left and ride to the end of
the track at a junction with a lane (GR998909).
6. Turn right and follow the lane to a T-junction
by a farm on the left. Turn left and climb through
towards Cown Edge Rocks. At the next junction,
were the lane turns tight left and descends, go
straight on and follow the rocky track that climbs
to the ridge. Climb this trail over the top of
Cown Edge then descend to a gate. After the
gate follow the trail immediately left then right
and descend on a gravel track between the
fence and the wall. Go straight on at the next
gate along a wide, muddy section of track. At
the next junction turn left and ride to the end of
the track at a junction with a lane (GR998909).
6. Turn right and follow the lane to a T-junction
by a farm on the left. Turn left and climb through
a left hand bend around the back of the farm. After the crest of this short
climb descend through a right hand bend then go past a track on the left
leading to some buildings to stay on the lane. At the crossroad junction at the
top of the next climb (GR988905) turn left follow the lane down hill. Follow the
lane through a number of tight bends then at the bottom turn left up a rocky
track. This testing climb goes through a few bends then descends to a
junction at Smooth Lea farm, turn left and follow the track to a hairpin that
comes out at a junction with a lane. comes out at a junction with a lane.
climb descend through a right hand bend then go past a track on the left
leading to some buildings to stay on the lane. At the crossroad junction at the
top of the next climb (GR988905) turn left follow the lane down hill. Follow the
lane through a number of tight bends then at the bottom turn left up a rocky
track. This testing climb goes through a few bends then descends to a
junction at Smooth Lea farm, turn left and follow the track to a hairpin that
comes out at a junction with a lane. comes out at a junction with a lane.
(GR985885).
9. Follow the lane to the next junction and turn right. This lane eventually turns left at a
farm and comes to a junction at the golf course, signed as a BW in both directions.
Take the lane on the right and ride past the golf course car park. After the car park
drop through a right hand bend then descend straight on to a junction. Try to keep your
speed and go straight on along the fast, rocky descent through the trees. At the bottom
go straight on, past the Bottom's Hall on the left, and over a stream to a junction
immediately after (GR968882). Turn left and follow the wide hardpack trail that soon
picks up the River Goyt on the right. Stay on this track and go under the railway viaduct,
then bear left to keep following the edge of the river. After going through a short tunnel
under the railway follow the track as it bears right past a house then climbs to a BW
9. Follow the lane to the next junction and turn right. This lane eventually turns left at a
farm and comes to a junction at the golf course, signed as a BW in both directions.
Take the lane on the right and ride past the golf course car park. After the car park
drop through a right hand bend then descend straight on to a junction. Try to keep your
speed and go straight on along the fast, rocky descent through the trees. At the bottom
go straight on, past the Bottom's Hall on the left, and over a stream to a junction
immediately after (GR968882). Turn left and follow the wide hardpack trail that soon
picks up the River Goyt on the right. Stay on this track and go under the railway viaduct,
then bear left to keep following the edge of the river. After going through a short tunnel
under the railway follow the track as it bears right past a house then climbs to a BW
trees. Climb through the golf course and on to a gate by the house on the right. After
the gate turn right and follow the track to the next junction a short distance later. Turn
left up the next section of the climb. It isn’t too long but gets steeper as it climbs through
a couple of bends before finishing at a junction (GR979874). At the crossroad turn right
and follow the wide track past the first house on the left to the next junction a short
distance later. Turn left and climb the signed BW between the houses. Go straight out
the back of the houses up loose, rocky singletrack. This track bears left then goes
straight on to a junction just after some rough wooden steps. At the junction take the
steep, rocky track on the right, which bears left and comes to a lane. Bear right up the
rough lane, it soon becomes tarmac, and continue the climbing theme to the junction at
the cross (GR985874). There is a great view here and it is always a good excuse for a
breather.
the gate turn right and follow the track to the next junction a short distance later. Turn
left up the next section of the climb. It isn’t too long but gets steeper as it climbs through
a couple of bends before finishing at a junction (GR979874). At the crossroad turn right
and follow the wide track past the first house on the left to the next junction a short
distance later. Turn left and climb the signed BW between the houses. Go straight out
the back of the houses up loose, rocky singletrack. This track bears left then goes
straight on to a junction just after some rough wooden steps. At the junction take the
steep, rocky track on the right, which bears left and comes to a lane. Bear right up the
rough lane, it soon becomes tarmac, and continue the climbing theme to the junction at
the cross (GR985874). There is a great view here and it is always a good excuse for a
breather.
11. Go straight on up the gritstone track that finally brings you to the top of
the hill. Descend to the next junction and turn right. The track bears left and
descends to a crossroad. Go straight on down the rocky track, keeping the
woods on the left, to the junction with the main road (GR001875). Turn right
then after a short distance turn sharp left onto the track between the drystone
walls. This track ends with a rocky descent to a junction with a lane
(GR002880). Turn right and descend the tarmac through the dip. Climb to the
next junction and go straight on to go past Aspenshaw Hall. Keep climbing to a
gate and go through it for a tricky bit of singletrack to finish.
12. At the top go through the gate and turn right at the junction (GR019887).
the hill. Descend to the next junction and turn right. The track bears left and
descends to a crossroad. Go straight on down the rocky track, keeping the
woods on the left, to the junction with the main road (GR001875). Turn right
then after a short distance turn sharp left onto the track between the drystone
walls. This track ends with a rocky descent to a junction with a lane
(GR002880). Turn right and descend the tarmac through the dip. Climb to the
next junction and go straight on to go past Aspenshaw Hall. Keep climbing to a
gate and go through it for a tricky bit of singletrack to finish.
12. At the top go through the gate and turn right at the junction (GR019887).
Ride through the farm and down to the junction by the disused quarry (things
should be familiar by now). Turn left and descend to the junction by the row of
cottages on the left. Turn right and descend to the hairpin then go straight on
through the gate for a loose, rocky descent. At the bottom turn left onto the
road, go over the bridge, then climb a short way to a gate on the left. Go
through this gate and follow the Sett Valley trail back to the car park and the
end of the ride.
This ride took us 3.5hrs riding at an average pace with a few stops, so allow
an hour or so either way depending on your fitness and conditions.
should be familiar by now). Turn left and descend to the junction by the row of
cottages on the left. Turn right and descend to the hairpin then go straight on
through the gate for a loose, rocky descent. At the bottom turn left onto the
road, go over the bridge, then climb a short way to a gate on the left. Go
through this gate and follow the Sett Valley trail back to the car park and the
end of the ride.
This ride took us 3.5hrs riding at an average pace with a few stops, so allow
an hour or so either way depending on your fitness and conditions.
away from the pub then almost immediately, where the lane bears left, go straight on
along the track through the houses. After passing the houses the track reduces in width
for a tight, tricky bit of rocky singletrack. At the top of the trail follow the fence on the left
through a left hand bend and onto the tarmac. Go straight on to the junction in Rowarth
(GR012893) and turn right. At the next junction climb the lane to the left. This steep
climb soon comes to a gated junction with a track on the right. Go through the
along the track through the houses. After passing the houses the track reduces in width
for a tight, tricky bit of rocky singletrack. At the top of the trail follow the fence on the left
through a left hand bend and onto the tarmac. Go straight on to the junction in Rowarth
(GR012893) and turn right. At the next junction climb the lane to the left. This steep
climb soon comes to a gated junction with a track on the right. Go through the
goes through a couple of bends before it finally turns left, flattens off and
comes to a T-junction (GR023910).
comes to a T-junction (GR023910).
junction by the trees (GR973872).
10. Turn left and climb the steep gravel track into the
10. Turn left and climb the steep gravel track into the
More pictures and a description of rides I have taken on this route can be found in the Gallery:
'The Edge' Hayfield Shop Ride Sep '05
'Oneplanet' Hayfield Shop Ride Jan '08
'The Edge' Hayfield Shop Ride Sep '05
'Oneplanet' Hayfield Shop Ride Jan '08
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