Route 11 – Lords and Ladies
Lords and Ladies
Difficulty: Medium
Length: 21 miles
A middle distance, medium technical loop linking lanes, off-road tracks, & Bridleways along the south of the Hope Valley before climbing up onto Mam Tor and Lords Seat. Before dropping down Chapel Gate into the Edale Valley.
This is a great route for those looking for a varied route that covers a good variety of trails and landscapes. It is shorter than some of the other routes and less technical. There are some good options for refreshment stops and additional technical descents. The route name Lords and Ladies comes from as it passes over Lords Seat, the highest bridleway in the Peak District, and around the South side of Ladybower (Ladies)
The Route
Beginning at the Bike Garage, exit the site, take a right onto Hope Road, and then make the first right over the small bridge across the river into Shatton.
Follow Shatton Lane until you reach a fork. Take the right fork onto Townfield Lane, leading you through a ford. Continue along this track as it gradually climbs. After about one mile, you’ll encounter another fork; take the right-hand option through a gate onto the gravel track that runs along the edge of the field—another gate and a short descent down to Brough Lane before meeting the much wider Stretfield Road.
Taking a right, riding along the road for just under a mile into Bradwell, the first village on the route. Taking the right, up the side of the park via Gore Lane. Look out for the bridleway on your right once you reach the top corner of the park.
This bridleway passes through the grounds of the cement work and brings you out at the bottom of Pindale, the first significant climb. Pindale is an old quarry that provides a technical yet rewarding challenge. As you come out the top of the quarry, a short tarmac section before splitting off right and climbing Dirtlow Rake, a long, relatively mellow gravel climb. With excellent views back down the valley on a good day.
This is the longest climb on the route; the track turns towards Mam Tor and to a tarmac surface. Before meeting the more major Sheffield Road, turn right and follow the road before passing the National Trust car park on your right. Turn to climb up the road towards Mam Tor; just before the summit, look for a bridleway on the right up onto Lord Seat; this is the highest bridleway in the Peak District and a great view from the ridge at the top.
Following the bridleway downhill, after 0.8 miles, turn right and head down Chapel Gate, which drops you downhill into the Edale valley. This is the longest descent on this route. Chapel Gate joins the Edale road and follows it down the Valley.
Time for refreshments
Edale provides a good stop-off point for refreshments at the Penny Pot Cafe or The Rambler Inn near the train station.
The final climb
The route continues east down the Edale Valley, passing through Nether Booth after 0.3 miles. Look out for the gate and bridleway on the left. This trail ascends towards Jagger Clough, where you’ll encounter a stream crossing followed by a steep, rocky, and technical climb up to the Hope Cross junction. Instead of descending at Hope Cross, the route takes a less technical option by dropping down into Elmin Pits. From there, you’ll enjoy an easy-going ride around the south side of Ladybower, eventually returning down the Thornhill Trail. This provides a nice and gentle finish to the loop.
