the stanage descent is bit tricky to fit into a shortish ride, if i had to, i’d turn left at the bottom, at the road, and climb up towards the ‘popular end’ car park,
(i think i’d probably start my loop here – if i didn’t live nearby)
carry on up the hill – on road – all the way.
keep going.
(on road) eventually turn right on the byway that cuts across the top of lady cannings plantation,
(off road)follow this all the way to the tarmac road – turn right
(on road) at the end of the road turn right at the T-junction
(on road) after 5mins turn left onto the bridleway
(off road) follow the bridleway down – quite a nice one this
(on road) back up to the hathersage road – you’ve been here before
(on road) turn right, then left (look familiar?), all the way to the junction at the norfolk arms
(on road) turn left, and right, past the alpacca farm, and keep going
keep going
(off road) turn left through the long cow-poo puddle, and down towards the water works
(on road) turn left, and ride past the reservoir
(off road) climb up the unsurfaced road, through the gate and keep going to stanage pole
you’re at the top of the slabby descent – the 2nd best corner in the peak district – but the most photogenic
(off road) ride down the bridleway – shouting cheery ‘Hello!’s to the grumpy walkers who WILL tell you off for riding on a footpath (it’s a bridleway)
and that’s a loop (once you’ve ridden back up the hill to your car)
it’s not a great loop, far too much road for me to recommend it, but you did ask…
(you could turn right at the end of the slabby descent, and work your way over/down towards Ladybower, but that’s no longer a 3 hour ride)