Day 1: Arrive Hartington
Arrive at Hartington. You will stay in the Peak Districts premier hostel at Hartington Hall. This 17th century manor house has oak panelling, log fires & a bed where Bonnie Prince Charlie once slept.
Day 2: Hartington - Ilam (16 miles)
Leaving Hartington behind you will cycle along the pleasant winding limestone gorge at Long Dale & join the traffic free Pennine Bridleway south. This fantastic trail is slightly downhill & away from any roads, the route towards Alstonefield makes a nice easy start to this tour. Its geographical location has helped to maintain the charm of this small & unspoilt village. There has never been a canal or rail link here and the nearest classified road is over 2 miles away. Quiet country lanes & a long descent take you to the Victorian Gothic mansion at Ilam Hall. The fine architecture & breathtaking scenery around Dovedale makes Ilam the perfect place to relax & unwind.
Day 3: Ilam - Youlgrave (28 miles)
Joining the Tissington Trail briefly takes you to Tissington. This charming village is known for its festival of well-dressing, a custom which dates back to 1350. Tissington is also known for the 500 year old Tissington Hall which is a well worth a visit. You will then pass through the ancient village of Bradbourne to arrive at Carsington water & travel along the banks of the attractive reservoir before a climb away from Carsington village to join the flat traffic free High Peak Trail to Parsley Hay. Back to quiet country lanes you will have a chance to visit Arbor Low Henge, a Neolithic Stone Age circle known locally as ‘Stone Henge of the Peak’. A great descent takes you through the pretty hamlet at Middleton before arriving at Youlgreave, yet another superb limestone village with a number of interesting buildings & a fine church in the centre of the village.
Day 4: Youlgrave - Hartington (16 miles)
Travelling southwards again takes you by the Derbyshire Dales National Nature reserve to the pretty village of Elton & onto Winster. This pleasant village has some fine 18th century houses, however the most impressive building must be the Market House. Owned by the national Trust the rugged Market House dates from the 17th century & is a reminder of Winster’s past importance as a market town. A number of attractive bridleways & quiet lanes take you back to Hartington which provides a fantastic end to this memorable tour.
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