A guidebook to 20 graded day rides and a challenging 250km (155 mile) five-day cycle tour throughout the Peak District. The circular day routes are centred around Ashbourne, Matlock, Bakewell, Buxton and more whilst the tour circumnavigates the National Park.

The routes within this guidebook are ideal for mountain or hybrid bikes but can easily be adapted for road bikes. They are suitable to cyclists of all abilities and experience as the day routes vary between 13 and 58 km (8-36) miles in length.

• 1:100,000 mapping for every route
• Elevation profiles included
• Detailed information on planning and facilities in the area 
• GPX files available to download 
• Notes on bike setup and cycling techniques 

Map key
Overview map
Preface to the 2nd edition

Introduction
Geology
Wildlife
Plants and flowers
History
Art, culture and local festivities
When to go
Getting there
Getting around
Accommodation
Food and drink
Money
Bike setup/Choice of bike
Cycling technique
What to wear
What to take
Maps
Waymarking and access
Emergencies and first aid
Using this guide

Day rides
Route 1    Ashopton loop via Derwent Reservoir
Route 1a    Ladybower west and Thornhill extensions
Route 2    Rail Trails loop from Friden
Route 3    Chesterfield loop via Transpennine Trail
Route 4    Carsington Reservoir loop
Route 5    Middlewood loop via Lyme Park
Route 6    Ashbourne loop via Hognaston
Route 7    Chesterfield loop via Holymoorside and Leash Fen
Route 8    Tissington loop via Elton
Route 9    Wirksworth loop via Hartington
Route 10    Bakewell loop via Hartington
Route 11    Buxton loop via Bakewell (White Peak loop)
Route 12    Waterhouses loop via Morridge and Longnor
Route 13    Penistone loop via Holmfirth
Route 14    Tideswell loop via Peak Forest
Route 15    Leek loop via the Roaches
Route 16    Grindleford loop via Edale
Route 17    Tideswell loop via Mam Tor
Route 18    Middlewood loop via Pym Chair
Route 19    Marsden loop via Saddleworth Moor
Route 20    Macclesfield loop via the Roaches

Tour de Peak District
Day 1    Matlock to Dungworth
Day 2    Dungworth to Marsden
Day 3    Marsden to New Mills (main route)
Day 3a    Marsden to Whaley Bridge (road route)
Day 4    New Mills (or Whaley Bridge) to Blackshaw Moor
Day 5    Blackshaw Moor to Matlock

Appendix A    Route summary table and distance chart
Appendix B    TdPD table of accommodation
Appendix C    Accommodation on the TdPD
Appendix D    Cycle maintenance
 

Seasons

Best in the drier months - later spring to mid-autumn; difficulty grades and route description all assume dry conditions

Centres

Macclesfield, Middlewood, Ashbourne, Waterhouses, Leek, Tideswell, Bamford, Buxton, Whaley Bridge, Marsden, Holmfirth, Penistone

Difficulty

Routes are graded from easy to hard taking account of distance, hills, terrain and A-road riding. While technical mountain-bike skills are not essential, some short sections of easy to moderately-technical off-road may be encountered. For moderate and harder routes, there are road alternatives for all of these off-road sections, and you can choose which option best suits your individual preferences (and bike!) on a section by section basis. Average fitness and reasonable road-confidence is required.

Must See

A gentle short route around the canals and bridleways of Chesterfield; a moderate ride along Morridge; a tough ascent of the old Mam Tor road then on tracks over Shatton Moor; the 5-day Tour de Peak District

July 2024

TdPD diversion Darley Dale to Beeley Moor

July 2021

2021 reprint route updates

May 2018

Update

Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.