11. Cross the main road and climb to
Rowlee farm. Follow the main track
through the gate at the far side of the
farm then climb through a couple of
hairpin bends to where the tarmac
turns to grit. Continue over the crest
of the climb then descend a short way
to a gate. After the gate climb along
the line of trees. The trail then comes
to a junction, previously visited from
the other direction (GR163891).
Rowlee farm. Follow the main track
through the gate at the far side of the
farm then climb through a couple of
hairpin bends to where the tarmac
turns to grit. Continue over the crest
of the climb then descend a short way
to a gate. After the gate climb along
the line of trees. The trail then comes
to a junction, previously visited from
the other direction (GR163891).
3. Follow this steep lane through a couple of bends to
the farm. Keep right through the farmyard to a gate on
the right of the farmhouse. After the gate take the
double track off to the right. Keep to this track all the
way to its end then follow the BW marker posts on the
vague grassy double track off to the left. Head
the farm. Keep right through the farmyard to a gate on
the right of the farmhouse. After the gate take the
double track off to the right. Keep to this track all the
way to its end then follow the BW marker posts on the
vague grassy double track off to the left. Head
This 18.5mile mountain bike
route is an easier way to
experience the delights of
riding from the Ladybower
Reservoir than the full 30mile
route. It still packs in some
great riding with some fantastic
descents and a lower
percentage of tarmac. It is still
not an easy option as the rocky
terrain will wear out your arms
as well as your legs.
1. Start from the Upper
Derwent information centre
(GR172893). Go to the mini
roundabout at the back of the
centre. From the roundabout
take the exit to the left of the
visitors centre entrance and
head towards the bottom of the
Derwent dam. Climb the lane
as it bears right, away from the
dam, to the junction at the
crest of the climb (GR174894).
route is an easier way to
experience the delights of
riding from the Ladybower
Reservoir than the full 30mile
route. It still packs in some
great riding with some fantastic
descents and a lower
percentage of tarmac. It is still
not an easy option as the rocky
terrain will wear out your arms
as well as your legs.
1. Start from the Upper
Derwent information centre
(GR172893). Go to the mini
roundabout at the back of the
centre. From the roundabout
take the exit to the left of the
visitors centre entrance and
head towards the bottom of the
Derwent dam. Climb the lane
as it bears right, away from the
dam, to the junction at the
crest of the climb (GR174894).
Follow the lane keeping the edge of the Ladybower reservoir on the left. The lane soon turns into a dirt track.
Continue along the track by the edge of the reservoir all the way to the junction with the A57 (GR195864).
2. Turn right and cross the bridge over the reservoir. There is a cycle path on the right hand path to make things a
little safer here. On the opposite side of the bridge turn right up the road leading to the Derwent Reservoir information
centre. Once over the crest of the initial climb turn left up forked tarmac junction to Crookhill farm (GR190870).
Continue along the track by the edge of the reservoir all the way to the junction with the A57 (GR195864).
2. Turn right and cross the bridge over the reservoir. There is a cycle path on the right hand path to make things a
little safer here. On the opposite side of the bridge turn right up the road leading to the Derwent Reservoir information
centre. Once over the crest of the initial climb turn left up forked tarmac junction to Crookhill farm (GR190870).
towards the top of the cut in the hillside
on the right. Just before reaching the
gate in the drystone wall straight
ahead follow the track right, to a gate
in the corner of the field at the bottom
on the right. Just before reaching the
gate in the drystone wall straight
ahead follow the track right, to a gate
in the corner of the field at the bottom
of a steep grassy climb (GR178875). Go through the gate and on to the top of
the climb. At the top go straight on, through a gate, and along the singletrack
by a line of trees on the right. At a gated junction with the next trail turn left on
the rutted and rocky trail (GR171885).
4. Follow this trail all the way to the next junction (GR163891). Drop into the
the climb. At the top go straight on, through a gate, and along the singletrack
by a line of trees on the right. At a gated junction with the next trail turn left on
the rutted and rocky trail (GR171885).
4. Follow this trail all the way to the next junction (GR163891). Drop into the
junction on a short, steep rocky section then turn
left to a gate at the top of descent to Hagg farm.
After the gate descend through a number of
loose, rocky hairpins to the next gate. Go
through a gate for the longer second helping of
this great descent. At the junction by the Hagg
Farm Outdoor Centre, at the end of the rocks,
go straight ahead on the tarmac to the junction
with the A57 (GR162887).
5. Cross the main road to the gate opposite
then continue descending on the loose, rocky
left to a gate at the top of descent to Hagg farm.
After the gate descend through a number of
loose, rocky hairpins to the next gate. Go
through a gate for the longer second helping of
this great descent. At the junction by the Hagg
Farm Outdoor Centre, at the end of the rocks,
go straight ahead on the tarmac to the junction
with the A57 (GR162887).
5. Cross the main road to the gate opposite
then continue descending on the loose, rocky
trail. This ends with a muddy section before a bridge over the stream. After crossing the
bridge turn left. Follow the wide track to a junction with a gate, on a hairpin bend, just
after a short, loose, rocky climb (GR163881). Go through the gate and descend the
bridge turn left. Follow the wide track to a junction with a gate, on a hairpin bend, just
after a short, loose, rocky climb (GR163881). Go through the gate and descend the
wide, hardpack trail to the next junction (GR163878). Go right and follow the
track along the right hand bank of the Ladybower reservoir.
6. At the next junction (GR172868) turn right on the signposted, concessional
BW up a long, constant gradient double track climb through the trees.Near the
top of the climb, go straight across the crossroad in the trail. A short distance
later, just after the trail flattens off, take the next right through the gate and
climb the loose double track a short way to the next junction with a gate on the
right, in the cleared area of forest. Turn right through the gate and climb the
rocky trail, then turn left back into the trees. Bear right up a small climb to a
gate at the top and exit the forest (GR173861).
track along the right hand bank of the Ladybower reservoir.
6. At the next junction (GR172868) turn right on the signposted, concessional
BW up a long, constant gradient double track climb through the trees.Near the
top of the climb, go straight across the crossroad in the trail. A short distance
later, just after the trail flattens off, take the next right through the gate and
climb the loose double track a short way to the next junction with a gate on the
right, in the cleared area of forest. Turn right through the gate and climb the
rocky trail, then turn left back into the trees. Bear right up a small climb to a
gate at the top and exit the forest (GR173861).
7. After the gate follow the track straight ahead
then turn right onto a wide grassy track. Follow
this slightly rutted track down to a gate
(GR169862). Don't go through it, turn hard left
onto the gritstone Roman road . The trail
follows the line of the hill then finishes in a
fantastic rocky downhill section that ends at a
gate. After a play on the drops on the left go
through the gate and descend the tarmac lane.
The lane turns 90deg right at Fullwood Stile
farm then descends to a junction (GR168845)
8. At the junction turn right and follow the road along the valley floor. Go under the
railway bridge then follow the road along side the railway for a while. After going through
a dip and emerging from the trees bear left on the road and go past the entrance to Clough Farm on the right. A line of
bushes can be seen dropping away from the left hand side of the farm to join the road on the right. At the point where
the bushes join the road turn right, go through the gate (GR145864) and climb the singletrack to the farm.
bushes can be seen dropping away from the left hand side of the farm to join the road on the right. At the point where
the bushes join the road turn right, go through the gate (GR145864) and climb the singletrack to the farm.
9. At the back of the farm go through the gate and
turn right over the stream to a junction. Climb the left
hand track from Clough farm to a gate at the top of the
climb, just after a left hand bend (GR154871). Go
through the gate and descend to the stream crossing
in Jaggers Clough. After crossing the stream climb the initially steep and loose
track to Hope Cross (GR160876).
track to Hope Cross (GR160876).
10. At the crossroad in the trail turn
left and climb the rutted track to the
next gate. After the gate follow the trail that eventually descends to a stream
crossing at a right turn through a gate. This leads on to a long, loose and
rocky descent. This descent will really test your stamina as its long boulder
fields get your arms and legs burning. That is unless you take the pinch flat
option for a rest. To get to the bottom at speed without puncturing takes some
effort. At the bottom of the descent, turn right and drop through the bottom of
the valley on the tarmac. After crossing a bridge climb to the junction with the
A57 (GR152892).
crossing at a right turn through a gate. This leads on to a long, loose and
rocky descent. This descent will really test your stamina as its long boulder
fields get your arms and legs burning. That is unless you take the pinch flat
option for a rest. To get to the bottom at speed without puncturing takes some
effort. At the bottom of the descent, turn right and drop through the bottom of
the valley on the tarmac. After crossing a bridge climb to the junction with the
A57 (GR152892).
12. Follow the trail as it bears left at the
junction and descend to Lockerbrook
farm. Just on the far side of the farm go
through the gate for the final rocky
ascent. On arriving at the top get your
breath back for a fantastic descent to
the road at the Derwent reservoir. A
final right hand hairpins comes to a gate
at the road (GR167910). Once through
the gate turn right and follow the road
back to the visitors centre (GR167910).
junction and descend to Lockerbrook
farm. Just on the far side of the farm go
through the gate for the final rocky
ascent. On arriving at the top get your
breath back for a fantastic descent to
the road at the Derwent reservoir. A
final right hand hairpins comes to a gate
at the road (GR167910). Once through
the gate turn right and follow the road
back to the visitors centre (GR167910).
This ride should take around 2.5 - 5hrs to complete. Other than at the start
there aren't any places to get food on the way round. A detour can be made at
the start of para 8. where you can turn left and head along the road into Hope.
It doesn't take long to reach the junction with the main road and the Woodbine Cafe on the left. The route can be
plotted on OS Landranger 110.
A description of the Oneplanet Shop Ride I took on this route can be found in the Gallery.
This route crosses and can be combined with other routes from this site :
Ladybower Loop
Glossop - Cut Gate
plotted on OS Landranger 110.
A description of the Oneplanet Shop Ride I took on this route can be found in the Gallery.
This route crosses and can be combined with other routes from this site :
Ladybower Loop
Glossop - Cut Gate
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