Hidden Villages of the Peak
This easy tour takes you along many traffic free bridleways & quiet country lanes. The countryside is particularly beautiful in this park of the Peak District due to the exposed limestone gorges, green fields & gently rolling dales. The many attractive, ancient & well preserved hamlets & villages make the area a particularly interesting place to visit. Your accommodation is in 2 of the YHA’s best hostels at the 16th century manor house at Hartington & the Victorian mock gothic mansion at Ilam Hall. This memorable tour takes an easy pace or allows time for extra walking along the many trails available.
Day 1: Arrive Hartington
You will stay at Hartington YHA, this 17th century manor house was the Peak Districts 1st YHA & features log fires, oak panelling & a bedroom where Bonnie Prince Charlie once slept.
Day 2: Hartington Loop (13 miles)
A series of traffic free bridleways takes you away from Hartington through the attractive village of Biggin to join the Pennine Bridleway. This fantastic gentle off road trail takes you Northwards along the High Peak Trail to Parsley Hay. A short detour away from the trail takes you to Arbor Low Henge. This Neolithic stone circle is said the date to 2000BC and played an important part in the ceremonies & markets of Middle Stone age man. A superb quiet country lane takes you along the almost traffic free gorge at Long Dale back to Hartington.
Day 3: Hartington - Ilam (10 miles)
Travelling South you will take to quiet country lanes through green fields criss crossed with mile upon mile of drystone walls. You will pass through the ancient & remote village of Alstonefield which has a church dating back to 892 AD and still retains the Norman doorway & chancel arch dating to 1100. Cycle by the crystal clear waters of The River Dove to Milldale – a superb place to stop for a break! The scenery becomes much more dramatic as you descend to Ilam & the spectacular scenery at Dovedale. You will stay in another showcase YHA at the Victorian Gothic mansion at Ilam Hall.
Day 4: Ilam - Hartington (14 miles)
A short climb away from Ilam passes through Thorpe to join another traffic free bridleway along the Tissington Trail to the Estate village of Tissington. The small village has an imposing Hall, fine church & well kept pond. The village is well known for its ancient tradition of well dressing which is still upheld throughout the Peak District during the Spring & Summer. The trail takes you all the way back to Hartington along the old railway track so the cycling is easy!
What the Price Includes
Fantastic Routes
All our routes are along quiet country lanes & tracks (cycling) or Footpaths, tracks, bridleways & country lanes (walking). Routes are designed to take you to the most interesting attractions, picturesque villages & outstanding scenery the Peak District has to offer.
Our detailed maps and route notes ensure easy navigation & take you to the best cafes & pubs. Opening times, telephone numbers & general details are provided for all the places you will pass, allowing you to plan lunch stops, rest stops etc.
Our routes have been designed to keep away from the main roads, avoid killer hills & to take in the nicest & most unspoilt parts of the Peak District.
Accommodation
Most places you will stay are small family run B&B's, country pubs & guesthouses. If you would like a single room please book early as single rooms are often limited.
Local knowledge is invaluable when choosing good accommodation & all the places you will stay have been carefully selected on grounds of location, character, friendliness of the staff and cleanliness.
All prices are per person based on 2 people sharing either a twin or double room. If you would like to book a single supplement please state this on the booking form & we will contact you to discuss prices & availability.
Bikes & Equipment
Our bikes are either Dawes Discovery hybrid/trail bikes or Dawes XC 1.4 or 1.6 24 gear mountain bikes if you prefer.
All bikes come fully serviced, clean & in excellent condition. We have a choice of sizes to ensure you get a bike which is right for you.
All bikes come fitted with handlebar bags which allow you to carry camera, wallet, snacks etc. All bikes also come fitted with water bottle holders, cycle computer, bell, map holders, rear pannier & also puncture repair kit, pump, multi tool, locks & helmets are provided.
Local Information
Your are provided with historical information about all the towns & villages you will pass through, interesting facts about the area and all relevant information about the attractions & amenities nearby.
Emergency Backup number
In the unlikely event that you have any problems you have that piece of mind to know that we are always only a phone call away. It doesn't happen very often but it's reassuring to know that we will come to rescue you if required.
Luggage Transfer Option
If you chose the luggage transfer option we will pick your bags up in the morning & deliver them to your next overnight stop so that they are waiting for you when you arrive. This allows you to travel light & not worry about carrying all your things with you each day.
General Information
Fitness
A reasonable level of fitness is required on all tours. You don't need to be super fit but there are a few hills on all tours – this is the Peak District! Obviously the ability to ride a bike is essential.
Tour Guide
Easy : 10 - 20 miles of almost flat cycling but a few small hills.
Moderate : 15 - 25 miles of undulating tracks & country lanes with 2-3 longer hills.
Hard : 20 - 40 miles with a number of difficult hills.
Start Location & Dates
All tours depart on any day of the week subject to accommodation availability.
Most tours are designed so that you start from a Location with good rail links and travel by public transport is recommended.
Preparation
The weather in the Peak District can be very changeable so it is always advisable to come prepared. Check the weather forecast before departing on any ride & always take suitable clothing & equipment as necessary.
Bikes
All bikes are serviced after every ride, however problems do occasionally occur. In the event that you are unable to fix your bike you can always call our emergency back up line & we will come to meet you & either fix your bike or bring a new one for you.
You are provided with spare inner tubes, pumps & puncture repair kits. Although it doesn't happen often punctures can happen at any time so it is important that you know how to fix one (or find someone who can). Everything you need & detailed instructions are provided so you can fix punctures for yourself.
Peak Tours does not accept liability for any accidents which may occur whilst you are out on your ride. Please exercise due care & attention at all times to avoid any accident or injury to yourselves or anyone else.
Booking Conditions
Booking
To book a tour please send a completed booking form & Peak Tours will confirm your booking by email, and send you an invoice for (a) deposit of £50 per person on all holidays or (b) The full holiday cost. If only the deposit is paid at time of booking then full payment of the holiday is required no less than 6 weeks before the start of your holiday. No further reminder is sent. If you book your holiday within 6 weeks of the holiday start date, the full holiday cost is required at time of booking.
Consumer Protection
In order to comply with EU Travel Regulations 1992 your deposit & final payment will be held in a trust fund until your holiday is completed. This is to ensure the financial security of your holiday.
Cancellation by You
If you cancel your holiday the person who signed the booking form must notify us in writing and will be subject to the following cancellation charges from the date of receipt of your letter.
Notice of Cancellation Charge
| Length of time before the tour is due to start | Cancellation Charge |
|---|---|
| More than 42 days before start date | Deposit (£50 each) |
| 29 – 42 days | 35% |
| 15 – 28 days | 50% |
| Less than 14 days before start date | 100% |
Cancellation by Peak Tours
In the unlikely event that we have to cancel a holiday you will be entitled to a full refund.
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you take out adequate holiday insurance including medical cover, personal accident, loss of belongings & cancellation cover. We cannot be held responsible for your own illness, injury or loss/damage of your belongings while on holiday.
Price
All prices are in Stirling (GBP) and are valid for 2013. Price includes everything as listed on the website and is based on 2 people sharing.
Group Tours
We reserve the right to cancel a holiday or offer an alternative date if there are not enough people on the tour. In the unlikely event this should happen we will notify you no later than 4 weeks before your departure date.
Bikes & Equipment
With the interests of safety we reserve the right to refuse bike hire to those who we do not consider to be competent cyclists. You are responsible for the care & safe keeping of any equipment you use which belongs to Peak Tours. You will ensure that bikes are securely locked to an immovable object when left unattended. In the event that the bike and/or any accessories are lost or stolen you shall indemnify us for the cost of replacing those items.
Accommodation
We will always do our best to ensure that your accommodation is within accordance to our advertising & your booking requirements. In some locations accommodation is limited & it may be necessary to change some of the details from those advertised or requested. We will notify you of any such alterations as soon as we can, offering alternative arrangements of at least equivalent standard.
Customer Satisfaction
We aim to ensure you have an enjoyable holiday & welcome feedback (positive or negative) on all aspects of our holidays so that we can continue to improve them. If you have any problems or are unhappy in anyway with any aspect of the holiday please call us at the earliest opportunity so that action can be taken to remedy the problem. Any complaint made to Peak Tours after your holiday should be made in writing within 28 days of your return home.
