This is an epic mountain bike route of 44.7 miles that starts from Glossop, in the Peak District. It takes you through Edale valley and over Cut Gate for some great, technical Dark Peak riding. It is a hard ride that should not be underestimated. If you are of good fitness it should take 6-8 hrs to complete. It is definitely worth the effort as it contains a number of challenging climbs and fantastic descents. The ride starts from a free car park in Glossop just off the A624, near to the junction with the A57 and the Tourist Information Centre.
This is a 28.3 mile mountain bike route that starts from the top end of the Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District. It heads out though Hope valley and returns via Edale valley following some of the best trails the Dark Peak has to offer. With adrenaline inducing descents and tricky, technical climbs this ride will push the limit of your skills and stamina.
This 20.3 mile mountain bike route is an easier way to experience the delights of riding from the Ladybower Reservoir than the full 28 mile 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.
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.
This is a mountain bike route of 17.5 miles starts from Hayfield. It is the classic Dark Peak route that takes in the Jacobs Ladder, Rushup Edge and Roych Clough descents. The main climbs are directly to the back of Jacobs Ladder from Hayfield and up to Rushup Edge via Hollins Cross and Mam Tor. Although not exceptionally long the rocky terrain, combined with difficult climbs and steep technical descents, makes this route a tough one.
This mountain bike route of 17.6 miles, which starts in Hayfield, circles and goes through the village of Rowarth a few miles to the North West. The trails are split between the grit stone of the Dark Peak and limestone towards the Goyt Valley. This produces a ride with some nice variety as well as some great descents.
This is a tough mountain bike route of 21.4 miles on the western edge of the Dark Peak. It includes some of the most challenging climbs in the Peak District but there are some fantastic descents as payback, including Jacob's Ladder.
This mountain bike route of 18.4 miles climbs through Macc Forest to the Cat and Fiddle pub before looping back through Three Shire Heads. The ride is a good taster of rocky Peak District riding, and includes some great descents.
This mountain bike route of 20.6 miles is set in the White Peak. The rolling limestone hills of this area give some good riding, which is combined with great scenery. Although the elevation is never that high there are some fun descents and testing climbs. While this route can get quite muddy it is always rideable. However, you will need to watch out for wet roots and limestone, they’re very slippery.
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.
This is an 18.5 mile mountain bike route that starts in Bakewell and travels through the rolling hills of the White Peak to Stoney Middleton and back. As well as some great riding there are some excellent views, especially on the trails across Longstone Edge.
This mountain bike route is a variation of the Macc Forest Classic. At 19.5 miles it is only one mile longer than the Classic route but the extra trials give the route a real kick. Some trials skills are needed at times with a few tough rocky challenges to try and clean. Even with the variations it still retains all the good bits from the Classic.
This mountain bike route of 25.8 miles takes you round and round and up and down on the trails around Castleton, in the Peak District. It includes some of the best descents the Dark Peak area has to offer and a few testing climbs. There are a few options though. The climb out of Bradwell is a push for half its length but worth it for the descent. However, there is a short cut. For more technical descending it’s also possible to include The Beast as an ‘Out & Back’. Which ever way you do it, it’s a technical and demanding route that will push your fitness and skills to the limit.
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