Peak District riding by train

I’m heading to Manchester for a work thing next month and think I might take my bike for a cheeky stop on the way. Undecided if this is worth the bother, but if I do, what would be a good, not too long (20k max), not too tech ride that can be done from a station?

my current plan is the Mam Tor loop, starting halfway around at Edale. Any better options?

Another classic is to get out at Hope, and do the Ladybower Loop.

If you want not to long, not to tech can i suggest the train to Marple.

you can put a pretty good route together from there.

in fact there is an issue with local train services on the Hope valley line.

big landslip at new mills and bus replacement for a portion of the journey so you’d struggle with a bike! Would be worth checking if you are trying to get to Hope valley!

big landslip at new mills and bus replacement for a portion of the journey so you’d struggle with a bike! Would be worth checking if you are trying to get to Hope valley!

You can get to Marple direct from Manchester. There are also occasional (fewer than normal) trains to New Mills Central although New Mills Newtown (on the Buxton line) is unaffected.

The rest of the Hope Valley from Chinley > Edale > Hope etc is still served direct from Piccadilly but the trains go out on the fast line via Hazel Grove. Looks weird and wrong at first but if it says Sheffield via Hope Valley, you’ll start the HV at Chinley then call at all the normal places.

The bit that is currently completely out of action due to landslips is between New Mills and Chinley. And what you can’t do is go direct from Marple or New Mills out into the Hope Valley – not without a bus replacement. Which is bloody annoying!

New Mills Newtown > Set Valley Trail > Hayfield > Jacob’s Ladder

Ahh.. didn’t know about that diversion they did around Hazel Grove, not a frequent train user!

What are Northern like with bikes?? I guess as long as its not rush hour it should be fine.

What are Northern like with bikes?? I guess as long as its not rush hour it should be fine.

No issues even at rush hour, no need to book. That said, if you are using it at busy times, be prepared to have to stand in the doorway and get off/on again at some stops.

New Mills Newtown > Set Valley Trail > Hayfield > Jacob’s Ladder

And the train back from Edale. This is the good thing about the HV Line, it does allow decent linear rides. 🙂

Jump out at either Bamford, hope, edale or Chinley – plenty of classic Peak loops that can be done starting from any of those stations