It lives! Tame Valley Loop to open March 19th

The Tame Valley Loop (TVL) is a 29km predominantly off-road route situated to the east of Manchester and on the border of the Peak District.

The loop, approximately five years in the making, brings existing paths and uses mostly off-road tracks and trails.

The TVL is for everyone, whether you’re a wisened mountain biker or are knocking about on a balance bike. Balance bikes are rad.

The longest ‘advanced route’ option starts in Stalybridge, then uses trails overlooking Stalybridge and Mossley, and out as far as Greenfield in Oldham before returning to Stalybridge on the opposite side of the Tame Valley.

The loop is designed to be ridden anti-clockwise.

The loop exists due to the combined efforts of Tameside Council, Tame Valley Mountain Bike Association, Cycling UK and British Cycling.

Advanced route

Distance: 18 miles
1,900 feet ascent

A hilly ride with a good variety of scenery and trails. Some technical sections makes this unsuitable for inexperienced riders.

Intermediate route

Duration: 10 miles
1,200 feet ascent

A shortish mountain bike route with less demanding off road sections than the full Advanced Loop. Directions: follow the Advanced Route directions up to the end of point B then:

After 20m TL into the wood then take the left path signed Oakgates and descend to a barrier across a road. Pass through the barrier to traffic lights, go SA. Now follow from point G in the Advanced Route directions.

Family route

Duration: 3.5 miles (out & back)

An out and back cycle using an off road multi-use trail.

Access to the trail is available from several points: Station Road in Mossley, various streets in Roaches, Station Lane in Greenfield, the Friezland Riding Arena, and the layby/parking area at the junction of Manchester Road and Huddersfield Road. The route is split by Manchester Road and Huddersfield Road where caution is required crossing over.

Extended play

For riders who want to ride even further, the TVL is handily placed. The route follows the Pennine Bridleway and also connects to established MTB routes like the Tintwistle Moor Fun MTB Route and the Diggle Jiggle.

The Tame Valley Loop is not just an isolated loop but one that can be used as part of longer – even multi-day – adventures.

While you’re here…

Ben Haworth

Orange Switch 6er. Stif Squatcher. Schwalbe Magic Mary Purple Addix front. Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra rear. Coil fan. Ebikes are not evil. I have been a writer for nigh on 20 years, a photographer for 25 years and a mountain biker for 30 years. I have written countless magazine and website features and route guides for the UK mountain bike press, most notably for the esteemed and highly regarded Singletrackworld. Although I am a Lancastrian, I freely admit that West Yorkshire is my favourite place to ride. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines.

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