Hi

Im currently up with the in laws around Matlock and plan taking the kids biking tomorrow

The choice is:

Monsal
Tissington
High Peak trail

Ive no idea which to try but did Monsal years ago before it was opened up

As they are all old railways the gradients should be fine, my needs are views and ice cream shops not gnaaarl

All help well received

Thanks

Monsal Trail’s brilliant for kids, choice of cafes and a series of ace old railway tunnels which have been renovated and lit up. There are also cracking views from the viaduct near Wormhill in particular.

If you do the high peak trail I’d recommend driving to middleton top and starting from there. Unless the kids love killer climbs, as if you start from cromford you’ll have to face two of them up to middleton top

recommend Monsal trail

recommend Monsal trail

I’d say Monsal Trail first. As already said – views at Monsall Head are great. Park at the old station in Bakewell, then spend some time in the town afterwards. Bakewell will be very, very busy on a Monday though as its Market Day.

2nd – Tissington Trail – start from Tissington to Parsley Hay and back – uphill on way out, downhill on way back. Ice Cream at each end!

Last – High Peak Trail last – there’s sod-all between Middleton Top and Parsley Hay and it’s a fair old ride for a nipper.

Monsal trail is best for kids more interesting than the other 2 and more sheltered.The other 2 can be hard going if you are riding against the wind they are much more open.Can park outside Buxton and start there to where you come to the tunnels quicker than Bakewell apart from Monsal.Nice trail no train noises in the Monsal tunnel anymore that was good and weird.

Definitely Monsall

You could always use the new Peak cycle bus to get between them

A lap of ladybower would be far more interesting than any of those 3.

^^^ Bullcrap.

Monsall trail has some of the best views in England.

Definitely Monsal first as more to see, though they all have interesting quirks depending on your kids.

As above, High Peak Trail needs to start at Middleton Top to avoid the two killer climbs which will put kids off. Not much to stop at along there either.

Tissington Trail has a bit more to offer, lovely village is Tissington, tea stop on the trail, Cafe in the village. Signal box at Hartington to look at. A couple of miles up the trail from Parsley Hey is the Royal Oak at Hurdlow which does great food, if a little pricey for a family.

Depending on age, the trail round Carsington is OK, but the far side has some short sharp ups and downs for little legs, so not what you really wanted I guess.

Thanks – Monsal it was

Parked for free at Longstone and rode ‘uphill’ to the A6 then coasted back for treats at Hassop station

Nice trip, not as busy as Id feared and the tunnels were cool, besides the tosser running 3000 Lumens coming towards us at Monsal Head tunnel

Its probably a hell hole on a nice Sunday though………..

Carsington Water is worth a shot, great views, pub half way round, visitors center with playgrounds 3/4 way round and all gravel cycle/walking paths. Nice afternoon out.

We started at Millfields car park, first 3 mile is up and down to Carsington village then the rest of the 8 miles is flat.