The White Peak Loop cycle trail

Start in Matlock, Matlock is easily accessed by bus or rail and the are plenty of bike friendly places to stay in if you want an early start to your 1^st day of cycling. Matlock boasts pretty streets full of independent shops, and a host of cafés, pubs and restaurants in which to relax.

From Matlock Rail station there is a cycleway down to the river at Arc Leisure Centre join the trail alongside the Heritage railway line. Signed White Peak Loop continue towards Darley Dale.

Continue towards Rowsley, this pretty village has two fine hotels, East Lodge and The Peacock, a pub, The Grouse and Claret and two small art galleries. Cross the Derwent again and turn right onto Church Lane past the Peacock.

At the end of the Lane join the trail through the Haddon estate, with far reaching views of the surrounding countryside. Over 900 years old, Haddon Hall is one of the country’s most elegant, historically important, and timeless stately homes.

Join Coombs Road until you reach the bottom of the Monsal Trail where there is a short push up to join the trail. The Monsal Trail then will take you into the heart of Bakewell, a pretty market town perhaps best known for its unique and delicious Pudding, but it has many other tempting treats to offer.

Stay on the Monsal Trail and you’ll arrive at Hassop Station, this former railway station has been lovingly restored into a shop, café and a cycle hire - the perfect place to refuel and unwind.

The Monsal Trail will take you past the Thornbridge Hall estate, Thornbridge Hall is a Grade II listed stately home surrounded by 12 acres of quintessentially English gardens and a lovely café.

Don’t forget your camera as you’ll want to take some pictures of the stunning views of the valley across the River Wye from Monsal Head Viaduct.

Continue to Millers Dale, a exceptionally beautiful section of the River Wye, here you find the Goods Shed a National Park Ranger Centre. Learn a little more about the old railway line and treat yourself to delicious refreshments. There is a Youth Hostel nearby at Ravenstor and in the village are a good walkers café and a craft centre specialising in woodturning.

At Blackwell Mill turn left onto an unpaved trail towards Beech Croft Farm Campsite, a steep incline that will require a push. Follow the Pennie Bridleway to Chelmorton, alternatively you can push onto Pomeroy, along Blindlow Lane, just off the A515 Buxton to Ashbourne road.

From Pomeroy cross the A515 to join the High Peak Trail and head south towards Hurdlow. Worth a stop for a great pub meal is The Royal Oak at Hurdlow, or for ice cream fans Tagg Lane diary is a must stop on route at Monyash.

Continue along the High Peak Trail to Parsley Hay, here you’ll find the Peak National Park Cycle Centre - here there is a small shop with a tempting selection of refreshments – including homemade cakes – as well as toilets (including disabled) and a picnic area.

Here you could also divert down the Tissington Trail to visit the pretty villages of Hartington and Tissington. Tissington is a perfect picture book village with beautiful cottages built around a noble old hall, fine church and duck pond. Home of the FitzHerbert family for over 400 years and it is their splendid Jacobean residence at the Hall.

Continue to Pikehall, eventually the trail will bring you onto Brassington Lane and past Middleton and the National Stone Centre at Wirksworth, with a Discovery Centre, Rock Shop and café it’s worth a visit.

Continue along the trail to High Peak Junction and then join the cycleway that runs alongside the Cromford Canal. The village of Cromford, is forever associated with Sir Richard Arkwright as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and forms part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

At Cromford Wharf cycle along Church walk to the River Derwent and pass Scarthin Rock and Cromford Mills following the riverside trail. Drop onto Derby Road (A6) for short while passing Masson Mills, until you reach Matlock Bath. Matlock Bath has a long street lined with quirky shops, cafés, amusement arcades and fabulous fish & chips restaurants.

Cycle through Matlock Bath to the outskirts of Matlock, at Pic Tor rejoin a riverside trail that runs alongside Hay Leas Park and into Matlock.

Alternatively you can take a more leisurely 3 day cycle around the loop - see below for details