A triangle of trails that make the Peaks possible
For the leisure cyclist, riding in the Peak District appears an impossibility - steep terrain, hill after hill. Whilst there is no denying that yes, there are hills; many of them - the leisure cyclist who has a medium level of fitness can experience some of the very best trail cycling in the UK, if not the world, all thanks to what was left behind from Britain’s industrial revolution.
It was five years ago on a family holiday to Darwin Forest leisure park near Matlock that I experienced the magic of the peak district on a bike. I had a spare afternoon and decided to take it upon myself to hire a hybrid bike and go explore. I figured anywhere that has cycle hire must have decent cycling. So, with an open-minded outlook, I headed off into the forest taking on some great trails and bridleways. About 5 km into my ride the path started to narrow and get steeper and steeper downhill before eventually it became just about unrideable. It quickly became apparent that the Peak District perhaps wasn’t as leisurely as I had hoped. Where to from here? ‘Let's take it on’ I said to myself, and on I went winding down the switchback single track which at times was seemingly close to a 45-degree gradient. This wasn’t exactly a pedal in the park and going back up from whence I came didn't really fill me with any excitement, so I rode into Matlock in search for some more leisurely options at the local Tourist Information Centre.
I was fully expecting them to laugh at me and say 'what are you doing here on a hybrid, the hiking maps are over there pal!' In fact, it was much the opposite. Loads of maps and brochures for cycling! Surely it was just for lycra-cladded elite fully-shaven show offs? You know the ones, where you can see your reflection in the back of their calves? The lady in the office was determined to quash my skepticism and directed me to the start of the Matlock to Rowseley trail, a short stretch of the disused railway line turned bike trail between Matlock and Buxton. As I rode off, I started to realise two things: the lady in the tourism office was right; and this is what i came for. Riding on the flat trail with the Derbyshire peaks in the background was enough to inspire me to do a bit of research and see how we could run a group cycling tour out here.
In my research, what I found was a series of amazing bike trails that sprawled from one end of the Peak District to the other. The High Peak, Monsal and Tissington trails are the three main arterials creating a triangle between Matlock, Ashbourne and Buxton. They are all disused railway lines left over from the 1800s when they were used to transport minerals and goods from the Peak District to Manchester and to the canal waterways heading towards the south. The trails were a monumental feat having been built amongst steep hills and valleys. The High Peak trail, which joins with the Tissington trail, was built along the ridgetop of the peaks, allowing for amazing views; and the Monsal trail was built down below in the valley. The Monsal trail was a particularly impressive achievement because it comprises of four long tunnels that have been carved through the mountains to connect Buxton with Bakewell. When the railway lines became disused and subsequently closed, they were bought by the Peak District National Park in 1971 and converted into cycling and walking trails for the public to enjoy.
The three trails we take on our Peak District tour are certainly an engineering wonder and signify Britain’s industrial revolution and incredible effort it took to create accessible routes through such a dramatic landscape. In reality, the majestic scenery, history and tradition they offer can only be experienced in person by foot or bicycle.
What makes this one of my favorite tours is that the trails make the most picturesque parts of the Peaks accessible by bicycle. Okay, there are naturally some steep ascents to get to some of the trails, particularly the High Peak trail, but once you’re there it’s so worth it – flat with incredible scenery.
From the spectacle far-reaching views of the High Peak Trail and the winding green pastures of the Tissington trail, to the viaducts and tunnels of the Monsal trail; this area provides such a unique cycling experience, all thanks to those men and women who slaved away for us a century and a half ago.
Our Peak District tour takes in all these trails along with numerous others: check it out here
by Alex Morphet