Greetings,

I spent last weekend (31st July-2nd August 2009) camping and walking in the Peak District. We were based near the Manifold Valley but spent Saturday walking up Mam Tor, near Castleton. Lots of mud everywhere.

As I'm due a riding away day up to the Hope Valley on the 8th August, I am wondering if the cycle routes (off-road natch) are in the same condition?

I'm not expecting total dryness, but is there such a thing as a dry route (Tracey mentioned Cut Gate?) at the moment?

TIA

Andrew.

Quite a lot of trails in the dark peak are v rocky and drain quick but you've got to pick em. Cut Gate has some bits that get pretty swampy in the wet.

For eg – Jacob's Ladder, Hagg Farm, Babyhead Boulevard/potato alley, Jaggers Clough, Roych Clough, & the Beast should all be ok.

We were out on Thurs night round Hayfield, and the trails out there were holding up v well indeed.

it tends to dry out quite quickly in the peaks if we have a few days of dry weather.

Cut Gate turns into a bog in any wet.

Try the loop from Edale, Hollins Cross, Rushup Edge, Pennine Bridleway, Jacobs Ladder, Edale. 14 miles and good fun to ride. Should stay dryish.

Cut Gate – North America not really a wet weather option.

Teggs Nose / Macc Forest / Wildboarclough Circuit or Goyt Valley Circuit fairly good all weather options. http://www.bikemaps.co.uk has details.

Thanks for the help.

Pook: Do you have a gpx for the route. Not sure how to get back to Edale after Jacob's ladder.

Tnx.

Bludgeon, just follow the road back down the valley.

Not sure how to get back to Edale after Jacob's ladder.

One road, two possible directions. Uphill is wrong.
It's that simple!

I was out on the CX yesterday and, while there were certainly plenty of boggy bits it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'd avoid Cut Gate though, that's legendary for being rubbish in bad weather. the top of Cavedale is erm "swampy" at the moment too.

Top of Cavedale wasn't that bad today. Lower bit had a river running down it, but that's preferable to having loads of mud dragged over it.

Most places were surprisingly dry (ish), Mam Tor (Hollins Cross, right hand side) was pretty bad though.

What's it generally like around Ladybower?

Thanks for all the help.

We'll do the Edale, Hollins Cross, Rushup Edge, Pennine Bridleway, Jacobs Ladder, Edale loop.

Hi,

Weather was fantastic yesterday!

We did the loop and added Hayfield in for lunch. Hardest ride of my life.

Andrew.