Conquer the Peaks: The Best E-Bike Routes in the Peak District
Whether you’re a seasoned mountain biker looking to squeeze more laps into your day or a casual rider wanting to conquer the Peak District’s legendary climbs without the leg-burn, e-bikes are a total game-changer.
At Bike Garage, we’ve spent years mapping out the best trails in the Dark Peak. To help you plan your next adventure, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite routes—all of which are perfectly suited for e-bikes.
Here are the best e-bike routes in the Peak District to add to your bucket list.
1. The “Big Day Out”: Stanage and Lady Cannings Explorer
Distance: 19.5 Miles | Elevation: 2,000ft | Difficulty: Medium
This is a quintessential Peak District loop that showcases the area’s variety. You’ll tackle historic packhorse routes, cruise along the iconic Stanage Edge, and enjoy the flowy, purpose-built trails at Lady Cannings.
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The E-Bike Edge: The climb up to Stanage can be a slog on a traditional bike, but with a motor, you can focus on the incredible views over the Hope Valley rather than your heart rate.
2. The Epic Scenery: Lords and Ladies
Distance: 21 Miles | Elevation: 2,150ft | Difficulty: Medium
If you want height and drama, this is the one. This route links the south of the Hope Valley with the famous Great Ridge. You’ll climb up toward Mam Tor and Lords Seat before a thrilling descent down Chapel Gate into the Edale Valley.
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The E-Bike Edge: Reaching the ridge at Mam Tor usually requires a serious “granny gear” effort. On an e-bike, you’ll arrive at the top fresh and ready to enjoy one of the most technical and rewarding descents in the country.
3. The Family Favorite: Thornhill & Upper Derwent Valley
Distance: 2–23 Miles (Flexible) | Elevation: 1,475ft | Difficulty: Easy
Looking for something more relaxed? This traffic-free loop around the Ladybower, Derwent, and Howden reservoirs is stunning. It’s mostly flat with some gentle inclines, making it the perfect “intro to the Peaks” ride.
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The E-Bike Edge: Because you can cover ground so much faster with pedal assist, you can easily complete the full triple-reservoir loop and still have plenty of battery left for a detour to the local pub
4. For the Adventurer: Chinley to Bamford (A to B)
Distance: 19 Miles | Elevation: 3,200ft | Difficulty: Challenging
This is a unique “point-to-point” ride. Hop on a quick 20-minute train journey from Bamford to Chinley, then ride back across the highest points of the Peak District. This route takes in a huge portion of the Peak District’s all-weather trails.
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The E-Bike Edge: With over 3,000ft of climbing packed into 19 miles, this is a “Turbo Mode” kind of day. It’s a rugged, high-mountain experience that feels like a true expedition.
5. The Quick Blast: Shatton Mast
Distance: 7.2 Miles | Elevation: 850ft | Difficulty: Medium
Short on time? This route packs a punch. It features a great mix of singletrack and fast descents, all centered around the climb to the Shatton mast which offers 360-degree views of the National Park.
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The E-Bike Edge: This is the perfect route for a “power hour.” While others are still grinding up the first hill, you’ll be starting your second lap.
6. Full Day Epic: Caves and Castles
Distance: 24 Miles | Elevation: 4494ft | Difficulty: Challenging
This challenging 24-mile loop is a Peak District masterpiece, featuring 4,500ft of elevation gain across six demanding climbs. Riders tackle iconic technical descents like Cavedale’s boulder fields and the flowy “Beast.” Starting in Bamford, it visits Mam Tor and Castleton, offering diverse terrain from rocky singletrack to fast, grassy slopes.
With 4,500ft of elevation, this is a demanding day out. See how an electric mountain bike can help you conquer this trail
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7. Perfect on a EMTB: Shatton Ladybower Enduro
Distance: 20 Miles | Elevation: 2998ft | Difficulty: Hard
This challenging 20-mile enduro loop packs 3,000ft of climbing and four rewarding descents. Highlights include the rocky “Spud Alley,” the berms of Hagg Farm, and technical singletrack at Bradwell Edge. Starting from Bamford, it offers stunning Hope Valley views and a perfect mid-ride refreshment stop in the village of Hope.
Ride Like a Pro: E-Bike Etiquette in the Peaks
The Peak District is a shared space. Because e-bikes allow us to go further and climb faster, it’s extra important that we ride responsibly to keep the trails open and friendly for everyone.
1. The “Be Nice, Say Hi” Rule
We’re big fans of the Peak District MTB “Be Nice, Say Hi” campaign. When approaching walkers or horse riders from behind, give a friendly shout or a ring of your bell well in advance.
2. Respect the Pace
E-bikes can accelerate quickly. When passing others—especially families with dogs or children—slow down to a walking pace. It keeps the vibes high and the trails safe.
3. Yield for Horses
If you encounter a horse and rider, stop. Ask the rider if it’s safe to pass. Horses can be startled by the subtle “whir” of an electric motor or a sudden movement. Giving them space ensures everyone stays in the saddle.
4. Stay on the Bridleways
Stick to the legal rights of way. E-bikes have more torque, which can cause extra wear on soft, “cheeky” trails. By sticking to the mapped bridleways, we protect the landscape and our access to it.
5. Battery Management
The Peak District is unforgiving. If your battery dies at the bottom of Cavedale, you’ve got a very heavy bike to push! Keep an eye on your range and remember: Eco mode is your friend on the flats so you have Turbo ready for the “walls.”
Ready to Ride?
Don’t have your own e-bike? No problem. You can hire a premium electric mountain bike directly from us at Bike Garage in Bamford.
Bonus Tip: Navigation in the Peaks can be tricky. We offer Wahoo GPS devices pre-loaded with all these routes (and more!) for hire, so you can focus on the trail ahead rather than staring at a map.
