We're gonna be staying near Cromford on a family holiday around Easter. What's the riding like round there? Looks to be some stuff around Black Rocks and the woods based on Trailforks, but is it all super-steep enduro death tech or are there some slightly more mellow trails I can work into a loop?
Will probs be riding after kids have gone to bed, so nothing too epic is needed!
Kids riding also - I guess the High Peak Trail and canal will be best there? (MiniMonkey v1.0 is okay on green and easier blue trails, steep natural will be too much for her!)
STR is the regular forum user with the most up to date info on this I think.
Black Rocks is partly death tech, and really very good, but there is more chilled out stuff - not XC, though. If you're after a short hour after bedtime that's more XC then Bow Woods on the other side of the valley is going to be a better bet. This ride was a bit of a one-hour evening classic for me when I lived down there, and it's easier to find your way than the maze of trails in Black Rocks.
https://www.strava.com/activities/570745488
Ah nice, that looks ideal. Thank you.
I should probably point out that I don't mind a bit of death tech, but not usually when I'm riding on my own after child wrangling for a day. Chilled out singletrack is more the vibe.
In that case, it is really worth having a go at riding round there. Your best bet is to find a local to show you round, it'll be much more efficient as there are trails branching off all over the place.
Be aware that from the canal at High Peak Junction up to Black Rocks is something like 2 miles at 8%.
If you have kids, Monsal Trail from Hassop Station is well worth a ride with the tunnels and bridges. Tissington Trail is slightly more interesting than High Peak Trail. Lap of Carsington Water has some ups and downs too.
Contact Belper Bicycle Club, their MTB rides are often up there
There are also trails in Bow wood on the side of the valley
Ace cheers all, some good stuff to look at there.
I think we did the Monsal Trail last time we were down there, I definitely remember tunnels and a bridge. I'd spotted on a map that the slog up to Black Rocks looked pretty brutal, that will probably be a walk up and play on the rocks with the kids I reckon.
Looks like we'll have plenty to be going on with.
It's been a few years since I've been up there so I don't know the current lie of the land (it changes due to forestry work).
In simple terms you make your way up to the trig point then pick a path down. Rinse and repeat. It's hard to do a loop in the traditional trail centre way.
Easiest way up from Cromford is up Intake Lane (off the A6) - it's a steady (quiet) road climb which eventually turns into a trail that passes under the High Peak trail and you loop back round onto the trail a few hundred metres from the top.
I should also add - if you are going at Easter then stick to evenings. There are no official trails up there so it's all cheeky. Defo don't rock up during the day or there is bound to be conflict as it gets really busy with walkers.
If you've got a few hours to kill (and some lights as it will still be dark in them woods at Easter! 😀) - you can blast along the canal and take in Shining Cliff Woods and Crich Chase too. And make more of an XC loop of it.
Oh aye I'll deffo stick to evenings, I am well versed in, er, unofficial trails (it's all we've got around here). Lights will be packed!
super-steep enduro death tech
Yes. And slippy for added bonus points.
I love it, I can't ride it all. I've slid down loads regretting starting that particular trail.
some slightly more mellow trails
Ambergate and shining cliff woods are a bit more mellow and can be linked via the canal.
I was about to say Ambergate, Shining Cliff and Crich Chase for entertaining but not deadly tech.
The descent(s) off the top of Black Rocks from the trig point out in the open are fast flowy fun, the stuff in the woods lower down towards High Peak Junction is varying levels of loamy death (although none of it is very long). Bow Woods - again, most of the stuff I've ridden there has been quite committing.
If you can get an uplift off the missus to the top of Riber, then Hearthstone Lane all the way back down to the River might suit the young'uns (caveat - its a long time since I've done the lower half of it!)
Sounds like I need to be exploring Ambergate, Shining Cliff and Crich Chase then. Although I feel like I ought to at least have a go at some of the Black Rocks stuff. Though maybe not in the dark...
I'll try and put a loop up later incorporating all the places mentioned. I tend to go for the max 50% chance of death stuff, rather than the certain death tech
Ah that would be amazing, thank you. Middling chance of death sounds about right. Especially if they're short so I don't have to slide too far on my arse.
This is a fairly steady one, can be started at Cromford, rather than my start/finish - where it does a little figure of 8 at the top left third is where a lot of the tech is, but the bit on this ride wont have been bad
https://www.strava.com/activities/11391697233
An out and back from Darley Dale, taking in High Tor steps (cheeky) but highlights a few more different runs at Black Rocks
https://www.strava.com/activities/15727214771
A 45 miler taking in some more stuff over towards matlock and some of the High Peak Trail (as well as Bow Woods and Black Rocks)
https://www.strava.com/activities/9943827332
Amazing, thank you. I shall be poring over GPS files when I should be doing something more productive
Amazing, thank you. I shall be poring over GPS files when I should be doing something more productive
Give me a shout closer to the time and I'll try and nip out for one if you fancy it
That would be lovely. I'll give you a shout if I can (it may be a matter of me grabbing a bike and heading out when there's a lull in the chaos).
Or a book. Hmm...
Not a huge amount to add other than that Black Rocks is ace.
I wouldn't worry too much about riding in the day - they all make a beeline for the trig so just don't go that far up and you'll probably be fine. I've never had any issues with walkers and I'm there at least once a week (staying away from the trig when busy). Bow Woods, however, is a SSSI and I would definitely stay away at busy times as I get told off by walkers about 50% of the times I go through.
If you want a short evening 'xc' blast and can drive c.15/20 minutes from Cromford then going over towards Ashover there's a good little loop with some fun descents that can be extended towards Matlock if you want to make it longer. It's in the guidebooks but I can draw up a GPX if you want one.
I can definitely drive a bit if needed, we're there for a few nights so I should have time to explore.
A GPX would be ace if you have the time!
I'll have an Ashover loop on Strava too, will share later
This place is still on my to-do list and I was intending to tap up @tall_martin for the local knowledge.
I haven't ridden since mid December because I got sick of getting drenched on every ride. Unfortunately it hasn't stopped raining since.
Just be aware that if you park at Lea Bridge that the locals are getting VERY annoyed with inconsiderately parked vans ( you can tell that they are mainly MTBers vans by the stickers ect and also you see the same ones week after week). There have been a couple of tyre slashings and keyings because of it and there is often wing mirror glass all over the place (last summer when it was really busy). I always ride there but I have seen vans parked in places the have made me think "What the hell were they thinking?".
Ah that's good to know. Well not good, but you know what I mean.
Plan will be to ride from the cottage mostly anyway (unless I pop over to Ashover) so hopefully should be okay there. And, y'know, I just won't park like a knob.
If only there was a perfectly good car park then all the folk in expensive vans wouldn’t have to park on the roads
Ohhh, is it one of those situations where they won't pay four quid to park their thirty grand vans so they block up all the streets? Yeah, that is annoying.
If only there was a perfectly good car park then all the folk in expensive vans wouldn’t have to park on the roads
Every time I've started from Lea Bridge, I've parked on the road near Smedleys, perfectly legally, not causing an obstruction. Is there some new rule that if there's a pay and display nearby you must use that?
I'm not condoning parking like a prat, but can't say I've ever seen it that busy down there
Hi. Another Matlock based rider here so feel free to drop me a message if you want some company/a guide.
For riding with the kids, look at the area around Pikehall / Gotham Grange on the high peak trail. There are loads of gravel tracks which you can link into little loops without too much climbing or technical challenge but with some nice views.
Check out the Vertebra Graphics White Peak guidebook as that has enough routes to keep you busy for a few visits.
Si
Just be aware that if you park at Lea Bridge that the locals are getting VERY annoyed with inconsiderately parked vans ( you can tell that they are mainly MTBers vans by the stickers ect and also you see the same ones week after week). There have been a couple of tyre slashings and keyings because of it and there is often wing mirror glass all over the place (last summer when it was really busy). I always ride there but I have seen vans parked in places the have made me think "What the hell were they thinking?".
Having seen a group of middle aged mtbers at High Peak Junction last Sunday greeting each other loudly as "****ing ****s" in front of families with young kids, I would happily go and slash their van tyres.
This place is still on my to-do list and I was intending to tap up @tall_martin for the local knowledge.
I haven't ridden since mid December because I got sick of getting drenched on every ride. Unfortunately it hasn't stopped raining since.
I've barely ridden since mid october due to illness then getting sick of being drenched 🤣 But if I've got on the bike again before you try Ambergate I'll gladly join as well.
Just be aware that if you park at Lea Bridge that the locals are getting VERY annoyed with inconsiderately parked vans ( you can tell that they are mainly MTBers vans by the stickers ect and also you see the same ones week after week). There have been a couple of tyre slashings and keyings because of it and there is often wing mirror glass all over the place (last summer when it was really busy). I always ride there but I have seen vans parked in places the have made me think "What the hell were they thinking?".
Having seen a group of middle aged mtbers at High Peak Junction last Sunday greeting each other loudly as "****ing ****s" in front of families with young kids, I would happily go and slash their van tyres.
Black Rocks is full of these Rad-bro types now. Typically only riding as far up the hill as the lower section, and then looping these, before retiring to the cafe at the bottom. Meanwhile the rest of the trails in the valley are nice and quiet 🙂
Black Rocks is full of these Rad-bro types now. Typically only riding as far up the hill as the lower section, and then looping these, before retiring to the cafe at the bottom. Meanwhile the rest of the trails in the valley are nice and quiet
Now before e-bikes it took fitness and skill to ride up to the trig point without dabbing!! 😜
Update - looks like the place we're staying is at the bottom of Birch Wood (as it's marked on the OS map). I guess looking at the contours that's where some of the steep trails are - so should be handy for swift jaunts out when the kids are busy or asleep.
Black Rocks is full of these Rad-bro types now. Typically only riding as far up the hill as the lower section, and then looping these, before retiring to the cafe at the bottom. Meanwhile the rest of the trails in the valley are nice and quiet
Yeah I barely go out with the local crew now, they are mostly younger than me (and all better than me), but a typical Thursday night ride is head to BR, session the lower sections, ride home.
Personally I prefer a more old school ride
Yeah, Birch Wood is pretty much right. The trails are at the north end.
Sorry, I said I'd find a loop around Ashover for you but failed as I don't know upload a GPX to here. Basically, grab a map and see if this makes sense: from Ashover, head south and pick up the river-side bridleway to Fallgate. Back on yourself up the permissive bridleway/footpath going north-west, then down SE towards Milltown. Up Gin Lane and OVerton Cottages to Ravesnest Woods, then find a way on the roads to Top Slack Farm. There's a fun little trail around the north edge of the forestry if you want it, otherwise find Vernonlane Farm and go down to Kelstedge (good descent). Up the main road a bit and then byway back into Ashover.
Re parking, it can get a bit silly at the bottom of black rocks, especially at the moment as the car park is 3/4 closed for works. Just don't be a dick and you'll not have a problem.
Have fun!
Yep that all makes sense (I'm sat with an agonisingly painful neck at the moment so there's not much I can do other than look at maps and dream of trails). Got it plotted out and saved on the OS maps app along with STR and Munrobiker. Ta very much!