Discover the amazing Peak District
Explore the Peak District by bike
The Peak District is one of the most popular areas for Mountain Biking in the UK. Mountain bikers have been coming to the Peak for a long time for its unique and challenging trails.
The best routes to explore
With every bike hire, we can talk you through a suitable route for your requirements. And give you a map to take, so you can get straight to the best trails. From a leisurely spin around Ladybower Reservoir to a trail high up on the moors there is something for everyone. Below are a couple of examples of some of our favourite route’s. See our trailer for 10 years of hire video.
Route 1 – Shatton Mast
A short route packing in a great mix of singletrack, fast descents and great views. Perfect for a bike demo or warm up.
Route 2 – The Beast of Hope Cross
This ride is a perfect sample of the Peak District and the variety of trails it offers, from the old railway lines of the Thornhill Trail to the rocky technical descents of The Beast.
Route 3 – Upper Derwent MTB Classic
A good medium distance route with two significant climbs and descents looping around the beautiful scenery of the Ladybower and Derwent reservoirs.
Route 4 – Shatton Ladybower Enduro
This is a slightly more challenging ride that offers four brilliant descents ranging from wide grass routes to tight, exciting singletrack.
Route 5 – Stanage & Lady Cannings
This route using a real mixture of old packhorse routes, roads and lanes. Stanage Edge, Lady Cannings flow trail.
Route 6 – Thornhill/Upper Derwent Valley Trail
Traffic free loop ranging from only a couple of miles up to a longer ride your choice. Starting on the Thornhill trail, heading up to and round Ladybower/Derwent and Howden Reservoir.
Route 7 – Hope Valley and Hucklow
A longer ride taking in some classic dark peak climbs and descents with breathtaking views throughout. Hope Cross and descending down Jaggers Clough before climbing up to Mam Tor.
Route 8 – Chinley to Bamford A to B
This is a different type of ride involving a short 20 minute train journey for 2+ hours of riding, taking in the highest point in the peak district and a good portion of the peak district all weather route.
Local trail news
The latest updates about the trails in the local area.
Trail Preview | 4 Favorites – Wharncliffe Woods
Wharncliffe Woods is often seen as a progressive riding location. But as many of the trails have been there 20+ years and the hillside is steep rocky and rooty. If you pick the right trail it’s a good option for the winter. So here are a couple of of favorite trails this time of year. And as they can be easily ridden on a modern trail bike and lapped it makes for a good place to ride for a couple of hours.
Trail Preview | Rake & Bake Wharncliffe Woods
This one is a new trail to me, located in Wharncliffe Woods. Which has been featured before in previous videos. A short singletrack descent which is relatively steep and requires good control. Perfect for linking into a much longer Wharncliffe trail ride. Where you have many trails to choose between.
Trail Preview | Bradwell Edge
Descending down from above Bradwell accessed via Brough lane. Bradwell Edge is great singletrack decent that is steep and narrow and often overlooked. It rides much better during the dryer summer months.
Trail Preview | Cave Dale – Castleton
Starting at 422m about 2km south-west of Castleton at a crossroads on the Limestone Way. With a flatter top section. The track descends into Cave Dale and exits between close rocks into the back of Castleton. Tricky to get down and keep the flow.
Bike Garage Mountain Biking Peak District Teaser, 10 Years of Hire.
Here is a little teaser of something we have been working on. Whilst it might be cold and wet outside this year more than ever, we are looking forward to spring and exploring the trails of the Peak District again.
Now in our 10th year providing bike hire, repairs and servicing from our little shop in Bamford.
Trail Preview | The Dogs Bollocks – Wharncliffe Woods
Wharncliffe Woods located just north of Sheffield has been a popular local riding spot for XC, Trail and Downhill riding for as long as Mountain bikes have existed.
Famously the training ground of World Champion downhill rider Steve Peat. The trail featured gives an example of the trails that can be found there. Steep, often rocky.
Best places to eat
Cafe Adventure Hope
Is located on Edale Road, in the village of Hope, in the Peak District, Derbyshire.
We have an eat-in and takeaway menu, catering for breakfast, hot and cold lunches, hot and cold drinks and a selection of homemade cakes, scones and tray bakes. Here at Cafe Adventure, we have a passion for making good home cooked food using seasonally and locally sourced produce.
We are a friendly, welcoming and cosy little cafe. Please call in for a visit whether you are looking for a rest and refuel stop after a long day hiking or biking (muddy boots and paws very welcome!), an afternoon coffee and cake treat, or to just browse around our little retail space.
Penny Pot Edale
Under new enthusiastic ownership since March 2019 you can be sure of a warm welcome. Open all year round you can treat yourself to some simple home cooked food, a piece of cake or if you just need a water bottle refill they are more than happy to oblige. If it’s a cold day you can relax by the log burner and on the warmer days take a break on the terrace before you set off fully recharged for the rest of your ride.
Are you a bicycle friendly pub, cafe or restaurant in the Peak District? We’d love to recommend you to our customers, please contact us 🙂
Activity Providers
Marmalade MTB
Through passion, dedication and experience, our very experienced team of British Cycling qualified, professional mountain bike leaders and coaches will take your mountain biking to a new and exciting level across the Peak District National park and the UK.
Our aim is simple – to provide everything you need, to explore and discover the thousands of miles of ancient bridleways and MTB trails that make the UK the premier destination for mountain biking. The team of MTB guides are ready to lead you and your friends around the Dark and White Peak and of course any of the UK’s national parks and remote wilderness areas.
Whether it’s a 1-2-1 guided ride, weekend MTB break, corporate team building day, hen or stag party, then look no further than Marmalade MTB to provide a tailored mountain biking experience for all ages, fitness levels and technical abilities. Our professional leaders and MTB coaches can also assist you and your friends with training inspiration, guidance and experience to ensure you hit your goals and aspirations for the mountain biking challenges, races and events you have signed up for.
Pure Outdoor
Pure Outdoor is lucky enough to be on the doorstep of some of the best Mountain Biking terrain in the UK. The Peak District is the perfect area to teach riders all they need to know to become confident independent off roaders. Our team have been Mountain Biking in the Peak District for many years and can not only teach you essential skills that will improve the quality and safety of your riding, but show you some of the best quality trails around.
Best places to stay
Are you a bicycle friendly accommodation provider in the Peak District? We’d love to recommend you to our customers, please contact us 🙂
Manor Farn bnb
Graham and Christine offer cyclist friendly Bed and Breakfast at Manor Farm with secure lock up and wash down facilities in the heart of the Peak District. We are situated within easy reach of great on and off-road cycling in the White and Dark Peak.