Planning a slightly longer version of the Triple Eight on Sunday, but it’s not clear which is the best way to do each loop. Can anyone shed any light? Particularly at Hope Cross, is the best riding down through the woods then up past Hagg Farm, or around the contour and crossing at Rowlee Bridge?

I was planning to ride a little further up Edale at the end, up Chapel gate, then back along Rushup Edge rather than going straight up via Greenlands. Unless that part of the loop is best done clockwise?

Cheers!

Not sure what consistitutes the Triple 8, but here are a few thoughts

From Hope Cross the direct route north is the Beast, challenging/fun depending upon your standard. Hagg Farm is a very tough climb – much better as a descent.
The north west option is a good XC bit then down Potato Alley, not quite as challenging, but still good and the climb up past Rowlee Farm is steep but easy.

At the cross roads where the Hagg Farm and Rowlee Farm routes meets, the northern track leads past Lockerbroke farm to a great descent, you can then come back up via Hagg Side (after a visit to the FairHolmes tea cabin). This section is sometimes called The Screaming Mile, but since it’s been sanitised it makes a much better climb than descent.

So if you want an enjoyable, rideable route, go down Potato Alley, up Rowlee, down Lockerbroke, up SM and down Hagg Farm. If you’re a hardman, go down the Beast, up Hagg Farm, down Screaming Mile and back up Lockerbroke. Extra marks for no dabbing!

Brilliant, thanks!

Google Earth and OS Maps may show other opportunities for climbing from Fairholmes to Lockerbrook Farm.