This mountain bike route of 19.6 miles heads west from Hayfield to the Goyt Valley, away from the big hills of the Dark Peaks. Don’t let this deceive you though, it still contains some big climbs. These climbs are paid back with some great gritstone descents, which are a good introduction to Dark Peak riding as, while they are not too technical, they are great fun.
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. After the gate turn right and follow the road over a stone bridge to a steep cobbled track on the right, at the end of the first row of houses (GR020869).
2. Turn right and climb the steep cobbles, which quickly give way to a steep, loose track that climbs between some drystone walls. The track finishes at a gate on a tarmac hairpin. Continue climbing along the left hand lane to the junction at the top, with a row of cottages straight ahead (GR024874).
3. Turn left and climb the lane to a junction with a wide track on the crest, by a small disused quarry on the right (GR020872). Turn right and follow the double track through a farm, then continue straight on past a gated junction on the left. Keep to the line of the wall on the left and after about ½ mile go straight on down the rocky descent to Laneside farm. This is a great descent that starts out steep and rocky, it then bears left to a flat, smooth middle section before a final bouldery descent to a junction with a lane at the bottom (GR014887).
4. Bear slightly left and descend the lane, then go through a right hand bend to pass the water wheel at the Little Mill Inn on the left. Climb a short way from the pub to a junction where the lane bears left (GR011890). Bear right along the track that goes past some houses. It soon reduces in width for a short, tight and bouldery singletrack climb. At the top follow the trail to the left of the low wall and go through a left hand bend, to a lane. Go straight on to the junction in the middle Rowarth (GR012893).
5. Turn right, then at the next junction on the edge of the village bear left and climb the steep lane. The lane soon comes to a gated junction with a track on the right (GR014896). Go through the gate and descend the rocky track to a ford at the bottom. Go through the ford and climb the track to a gate. After the gate bear left and climb the steep lane. Follow the lane all the way up, going through a couple of bends near the top, before it flattens off and comes to a T-junction (GR023910).
6. Turn left, then go through a gate and climb the lane towards Cown Edge Rocks. At the next junction, were the lane turns left and descends, go straight on and follow the rocky track that climbs towards the ridge. Climb this trail over the top of Cown Edge Rocks 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 and follow a wide, muddy section of track through a couple of gates. At the next junction bear left and continue along the track to a junction with a lane (GR998909).
7. Turn right and follow the lane down to a T-junction by a farm, on the left (GR996914). 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 long right hand bend. Go past a track on the left, leading to some buildings, and follow the lane to a crossroad junction at the top of the next climb (GR988905). Turn left and descend the lane steeply down hill through a number of bends, then at the bottom turn left up a rocky track. A short distance later bear right and continue up the tricky climb. After reaching the top descend to a junction and turn left. Go up a gentle climb then descend through long right hand bend to a junction with a lane (GR993896).
8. Turn right and climb the lane between the houses. The lane then flattens off and comes to a crossroad junction (GR990895). Go straight on, and climb the track to the buildings a short distance later. Go 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 of the field, this section can be a bit muddy (GR986893). After the gate climb the tarmac to a large gate at the farm. Once through the gate keep to the fence on the right and drop down between the buildings of Mellor Hall 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 then left S-bend to a T-junction where the lane turns right (GR984890).
9. Go through the gate on the left and climb the double track along the line of the wall on the left, to a gate at the top. Go through the gate and continue along the muddy track, which eventually bears right and descends to a gate. After the gate go straight on then climb the track as it bears left and 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 descend the badly surfaced lane to a junction with the main road. Turn right and descend the main road through Moorend to the next road junction, an offset crossroad with the Devonshire Arms on the right (GR985885).
10. Turn left and follow the lane to the next junction then turn right. The lane bears left at a farm before coming to a junction at the golf course, signed as a bridleway in both directions (GR979880). Take the lane on the right and ride through the golf course. After a short distance descend through a right hand bend, then go straight ahead to a junction with a rocky track. Continue straight on along this fast, rocky track through the trees. Be careful, while this track is great fun it is used by a lot of horses and walkers. Follow this descent all the way to Bottom's Hall, on the left, at the errr….bottom. Go straight on, over a stream, to a junction immediately after (GR968882).
11. Turn left and follow the wide track that soon comes to the River Goyt, on the right. Stay on this track and go under the railway viaduct, keeping by the river. After a while go through a short tunnel under the railway then follow the track right, past a house, before climbing to a bridleway junction at the trees (GR973872). Turn left and climb the steep gravel track into the 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 for the next section of the climb. It isn’t long but gets steeper as it climbs, before finishing at a junction (GR979874).
12. At the crossroad turn right and follow the wide track past the first track on the left to the next junction, at the houses, a short distance later (GR980872). Turn left and climb the signed bridleway between the houses. Bear left out the back of the houses up the singletrack climb, which eventually comes to some wooden steps and a junction. Bear right and follow the steps a short distance to a gate at the top. After the gate turn left, then immediately right, and continue climbing on a lane all the way to a crossroad junction by the cross (GR985874). Go straight on, up the steep gritstone track that finally brings you to the top of the hill. After the top continue along the track and descend through the mud and ruts to the next junction (GR992875).
13. Turn right then follow the track as it bears left and descends to a crossroad junction. Go straight on down a rocky track, keeping the woods on the left, to a junction with the main road (GR001875). Turn right on the road, then after a short distance turn sharp left at the next junction, onto the singletrack between the drystone walls. This track traverses the hill and before ending with a short, rocky descent to a junction with a lane (GR002880). Turn right and descend the tarmac. Go through the dip in the bottom of the valley, then climb to the next junction. Bear slightly left and climb the lane past Aspenshaw Hall. Where the lane ends go straight on through the gate and climb singletrack between the trees to a gated junction at the top (GR019887).
14. Turn right and descend gently through the farm, on the previously ridden track, to the junction by the disused quarry. Turn left and descend to the junction by the row of cottages on the left (GR024874). Turn right and descend to the junction on hairpin bend. Go straight on through the gate for a fun, loose, rocky descent with the opportunity of air on the way down. At the bottom turn left onto the road, go over the bridge, then climb a short way to a gate on the left (GR021868). Go left through the gate and follow the Sett Valley trail all the way back to the car park in Hayfield to complete the ride.
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