Day
1:
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:
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 like 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 (16 Miles).
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Day
3:
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 (28 Miles). |
Day
4:
Travelling southwards again takes you through the Derbyshire
Dales National Nature reserve along a fantastic off road
section through the gorge at Gratton Dale. You will rejoin
the road to pass through the small 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 fantastic end to
this memorable tour (16 Miles).
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