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I used to ride a lot in the Peak District when I lived nearby, but these tended to be shorter rides and never involved much navigation... with a planned trip to a couple of welsh bike parks next weekend now cancelled I’m tempted to head to the peak instead and look for a longer ride (or two)
I’ve come across the last two routes on
https://pedalnorth.com/peak-district-mountain-bike-routes/
(Cut gate and hope valley)
But having never looked at any of the routes I’ve done nearby on a map, it’s not clear to me if, the hope valley route in particular, is a proper off road route or if its a bit road heavy...
Can anyone comment?
Any better suggestions for all dayers in this area with a gpx I can follow?
I’m happy with technical riding and would probably aim for ~40km each day.
Thanks in advance
The Hope Valley route I'd assume is clockwise and features "The Beast" from Hope Cross, but then a big haul up the other side of the valley just to ride down an easy track, and then goes for a tour of the reservoir. It goes all the way around Shatton Moor but without the exciting descent of Bradwell Edge. Overall, it's offroad, but misses some opportunities for more technical/adventurous trails. The Cutgate route does "better" stuff at the Hope end, although I'd skip the tour of the reservoir down to the A57 viaduct.
Change the route down to Ladybower to the Lockerbrooke descent, and add Winstone Lee Tor and that is a v good route.
Will feel harder than the mileage suggests - a lot of typical Peak climbing that is not really steep, but is rough so feels quite attritional after a while.
im you PM me i can link you to my Komoot. I have some pretty good peaks GPX you can download.
That hope valley route doesn't look great, it misses out on the win stone Lee tor climb and descent for example, preferring a pootle around the reservoir.
https://flattyres-mtb.co.uk/route-guides/peak-district-mtb-routes/
Has some excellent routes.
That full cut gate loop will be a BIG day, 39 miles and 6000ft? **** that.
27 miles/3800ft took me 6hrs total with stops, 39 miles and 6000ft is 8+ hours, probably more.
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