Cycling in the Peak District

The Peak District has become one of the go-to destinations in the UK for cyclists, whether you are looking for leisurely traffic-free routes to enjoy with your family, or hard-core road routes with great climbs, there is lots to keep you entertained.  

 Nestled in the beautiful village of Brassington in the middle of the White Peak between Ashbourne and Matlock, Fern Cottage is the perfect base for cyclists.  There are lots of routes to explore right from the doorstep and two country pubs in the village for post-ride refreshments!

Fern Cottage Cycling Facilities:

  • Secure bike shed with heavy duty padlock and secure coach bolts
  • 8 bike hooks with locking loops
  • Basic toolkit and cleaning equipment
  • Puncture repair kits available to buy
  • Bike pump
  • Washdown area with high pressure spray gun
  • High walled garden with access straight onto the footpath, leading straight to the High Peak Trail.
  • Cycle maps and local route guides

Best Route Planning Tool

Route planning - some people love it, some people hate it! So if you like to get stuck in and plan your own route we recommend this tool for Derbyshire, it's easy to use and is packed with useful information on parking and other facilities.

If you prefer to follow a pre-planned route, you'll find details of some of the best ones in the local area below, with links to downloadable maps and directions courtesy of our partners visitpeakdistrict.com

Best Family-friendly Cycle Rides in the Peak District

There are over 40 miles of traffic-free routes in the Peak District and many of them are within easy reach of Fern Cottage.

Tissington Trail Loop - 9 miles

Tissington is one of Derbyshire's prettiest villages, and is less than 4 miles from Fern Cottage. The route below is a circular route from Ashbourne to Tissington, partly on road and partly on the Tissington Trail, but if you'd rather stick to the trails you can just turn round and come back!

  • Start/End Point: Ashbourne Cycle Hire (or Tissington)
  • Grade: Easy Distance: 14km/9 miles Ascent: 220m/721ft Split: 45% road/55% trail

The Carsington Loop - 7 miles

Carsington Water is the 9th largest reservoir in the country and has a great track for cycling or walking all the way round. There is a visitor centre with toilets, cafes and ice cream plus cycle hire if you need it. The Visitor Centre is just 2 miles from Fern Cottage.

  • Start/End Point: Carsington Water Visitor Centre
  • Grade: Easy Distance: 12km/7.5 miles Ascent: 205m/673ft Split: 9% road/91% trail

Along the Derwent Valley - 5 miles

Starting in Matlock, this route is a little further from Fern Cottage (8 miles) but it takes you back in time along a former railway line in the river Derwent valley.

  • Start/End Point: Matlock Railway Station
  • Grade: Easy Distance: 8km/5 miles Ascent: 55m/180ft Split: 6% road/94% trail

The Monsal Trail - 18 miles

A longer, but completely traffic-free route, starting and ending in the lovely town of Bakewell, 11 miles from Fern Cottage but well worth a visit.

  • Start/End Point: Hassop Station Café and Cycle Hire
  • Grade: Easy Distance: 29km/18 miles Ascent: 148m/487ft Split: 100% trail

Easy Cycle Rides for Adults

The next few routes are still graded as 'easy' or 'moderate' but use both roads and trails so are better suited to those with experience of cycling on roads.

The Carsington Loop - 17 miles

The longer version of the Carsington Loop with great views of the reservoir and surrounding countryside. The directions start at Carsington Visitor Centre but the route goes right past the front door of Fern Cottage, just pick it up from point 9.

  • Start/End Point: Carsington Water Visitor Centre
  • Grade: Moderate Distance: 27km/17 miles Ascent: 575m/1886ft Split: 57% road/43% trail

Hassop to Monsal Head - 7 miles

Starting in Bakewell again, this route takes you on a journey to the iconic view across Monsal Dale and the famous viaduct.

  • Start/End Point: Hassop Station Café and Cycle Hire
  • Grade: Easy Distance: 11km/7 miles Ascent: 193m/633ft Split: 71% road/29% trail

Trails Triangle - 28 miles

If you are looking for a longer ride, with great scenery and still mostly on traffic-free trails, this is the route for you. The directions start in Parsley Hay, but the route passes close to Brassington so is easy to pick up from Bradbourne or Carsington Water.

  • Start/End Point: Parsley Hay Hire Centre
  • Grade: Moderate Distance: 45km/28 miles Ascent: 760m/2493ft Split: 19% road/81% trail

Challenging Cycling Routes in the White Peak

The next few routes are graded as 'hard' for the more experienced riders out there. Up hill and down dale, you'll be rewarded with some amazing views, and some great country pubs!

Manifold Valley, Hills and Dales - 21 miles

This route takes you through hilly limestone countryside and some traditional Derbyshire villages.  The directions start in Parsley Hay but, from Fern Cottage, we recommend picking up the trail at point 2 (there is a car park there) and definitely make a stop in Hartington on your way round.

  • Start/End Point: Parsley Hay Hire Centre
  • Grade: Hard Distance: 33.5km/21 miles Ascent: 850m/2789ft Split: 55% road/45% trail

Ashbourne and Villages - 15 miles

Explore rolling countryside, take in the Georgian architecture of Ashbourne and visit traditional estate villages on this 15 mile route.

  • Start/End Point: Ashbourne Cycle Hire Car Park
  • Grade: Hard Distance: 24km/15 miles Ascent: 450m/1476ft Split: 93% road/7% bridleway

High Peak Trail, Hills and Dales - 9 miles

This route takes you on a tour through the heritage rich areas of Cromford and Wirksworth.  There are some 12% gradients but the sites are worth it!  If you want to extend your ride Cromford is 5.5 miles from Brassington.

  • Start/End Point: Cromford Wharf Car Park
  • Grade: Hard Distance: 15km/9 miles Ascent: 460m/1509ft Split: 59% road/41% trail

Stanton Moor Circular - 14 miles

Starting in Matlock, this all-road route offers testing climbs and superb views over the Wye Valley.  

  • Start/End Point: Matlock Railway Station
  • Grade: Hard Distance: 22.5km/14 miles Ascent: 480m/1575ft Split: 100% road

Up Hill and Down Dale - 15 miles

Also starting in Matlock, this is another all-road route around the countryside to the East of Matlock full of heritage and breathtaking views.  You can pick the route up in Cromford (5.5 miles from Fern Cottage) if you want to extend your ride.

  • Start/End Point: Matlock Railway Station
  • Grade: Hard Distance: 24km/15 miles Ascent: 480m/1575ft Split: 100% road

Chatsworth Loop - 18 miles

This route is a little further away from Fern Cottage, starting in Hassop, but is well worth the effort taking in the stunning Chatsworth Estate and surrounding countryside.

  • Start/End Point: Hassop Station Café & Cycle Hire
  • Grade: Hard Distance: 29km/18 miles Ascent: 674m/2211ft Split: 97% road/3% trail

A Limestone Loop - 18 miles

Experience the typical White Peak landscape on this all-road route.  The directions start in Hassop, but you can pick the route up from Parsley Hay at point 7 which is closer to Fern Cottage (9.4 miles).

  • Start/End Point: Hassop Station Café & Cycle Hire
  • Grade: Hard Distance: 29km/18 miles Ascent: 540m/1771ft Split: 100% road

Wheston & Tideswell Loop - 20 miles

The furthest north of these routes, starting at Hassop Station Café and heading North-West from there, but well worth the effort.  Take in hills, dales and trails and the famous Monsal Head.

  • Start/End Point: Hassop Station Café & Cycle Hire
  • Grade: Hard Distance: 32km/20 miles Ascent: 537m/1763ft Split: 66% road/34% trail