Day 1: Arrive Hartington
You will stay at a quality B&B or 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: White Peak Loop South (21 miles)
This is an easy / moderate ride mostly along quiet country lanes with a few sections on gravel tracks & trails. Leaving Hartington you will travel along gently undulating country lanes to Alstonefield, an area which is very popular with walkers. You will continue along quiet country lanes to Ilam, there are a few slightly longer hills on this section & a long, fairly steep descent down to Ilam. A short but very steep hill away from Ilam helps to gain some height & you will continue through Thorpe to the Tissington Trail. You can detour to Ashbourne or go straight to the picturesque village of Tissington. A flat, traffic free trail takes you to Biggin & back to Hartington.
Day 3: Youlgrave & the High Peak Trail (23 miles)
A fantastic quiet country lane takes you along the limestone gorge at Long Dale to the Neolithic stone circle at Arbor Low. This impressive reminder of our past is said to be around 5000 years old. The circle is often referred to as ‘The Stonehenge of the Peak’ and is well worth a visit. More quiet country lanes & a great descent take you through the pretty village of Middleton & onto another attractive and typical limestone village at Youlgrave. A fantastic off road trail takes you through the Derbyshire Dales Nature Reserve before joining the traffic free High Peak Trail back to Hartington. summer. The trail takes you all the way back to Hartington along the old railway track so the cycling is easy!
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