New Peaks descent near Mellor

Found a new Peak District descent to put into the list.   I think it ranks between 7 and 8.   (Yes, this blog has now got disorganised and needs restarting.....)    It descends off Mellor Moor (SJ985874) to The Banks (SJ979874).   It starts off steep and loose, then gains steps, then is steep, narrow loose and steppy all at the same time.   With some corners thrown in.   Get relaxed about what your back wheel is doing and for 2 minutes you could be in the Alps!

Peaks descents

We had a cheeky day of uplift riding in the Peaks courtesy of my parents, including:

a) Descent from the Cat and Fiddle (001719). The first section to Dane Bower (010700) was scenic but not very techncial. From Spart Bent (003693) to Clough House (988698) was better, technical in parts, loose in others. Not stunning, but certainly worthwhile.

b) Chapel Gate (SK099829 to 113843). I was in tears at the bottom. It has been bulldozed, so now it is trivial doubletrack. I did eventually get hold of the PDNP access officer who told me this was in response to a large number of complaints about its deteriorating surface (which ironically made it fun for bikers). He was pretty reasonable actually so I was eventually pacified. And he said their budget has now run out so no more will be destroyed (I had seen other bits of pieces of imporvements, though non affecting anything important so far...) It does now mean an end to the argument of which way round to do th-e Jacob’s Ladder-Roych Clough route – down Jacob’s ladder is definitely better as there’s now no fun to be had going down Chapel Gate (in fact, you could probably ascend this way if you wanted to avoid the boggy Lord’s Seat way).

c) Doctor's Gate (096929) into Glossop (046948). By far the most mental descent in the Peak District! It starts with a climb, and even some carrying. It eases you in gently and then suddenly there’s some mental switchbacks and so it continues with some terrifying exposure and occasional 2 foot step ups. It definitely doesn’t flow, but it is still amazing, all the way to the bottom. The only disadvantage is it’s a real hassle to get to the top (A road....) and incorporate it all in a sensible ride.

We also had a day finally exploring the Hollinsclough descents. There are basically three, all ending in the River Dove (053674). From Moor Side (053670) the trail is very narrow and suddenly ends in a tricky corner (which took me three attempts). From Booth Farm (058680) the trail is actually relatively simple – the main challenge is steering clear of the loose bits. The best one is from Tenterhill (049674) which is a continuous series of rock steps and requires careful line choice.

So, all of this means it’s time to update the top Peak descents.


1. Doctor's Gate (096929) into Glossop (046948). By far the most mental descent in the Peak District! It starts with a climb, and even some carrying. It eases you in gently and then suddenly there’s some mental switchbacks and so it continues with some terrifying exposure and occasional 2 foot step ups. It definitely doesn’t flow, but it is still amazing, all the way to the bottom.
2. Stanage from the top (SK 239844) all the way down past the Plantation (SK238836). You think once you’ve gone past the edge it’ll get dull, but the big rocks just keep coming. And not loose like most Peak descents.
3. From Hope Cross (SK150876) on the Roman Road, towards Ladybower (SK164881). Bit loose, some careful line selection required.
4. Jacob’s Ladder (SK081861 to 088862), steep start, then gets loose.
5. Descent from the top Jacob’s Ladder (Edale Cross (SK077861) all the way to Kinder Reservoir (SK054878)
6. Cavedale (SK137814 to 150827), eases you in gently before it gets really steep and loose!

7. We also had a day finally exploring the Hollinsclough descents. There are basically three, all ending in the River Dove (053674). From Moor Side (053670) the trail is very narrow and suddenly ends in a tricky corner (which took me three attempts). From Booth Farm (058680) the trail is actually relatively simple – the main challenge is steering clear of the loose bits. The best one is from Tenterhill (049674) which is a continuous series of rock steps and requires careful line choice.

8. Descent of Bradwell Edge (SK 183810 to 178807). Proper narrow singletrack to keep you on your toes.
9. Descent from Cut Gate (SK186961) to towards Ladybower (SK1709954). Really just the last minute suddenly gets some drop-offs, and an alpine hairpin!
10. From Derwent Edge (SK198885) to Ladybower (SK187884). Four sections of different character (ruts, grass, cobbles) but the section in the middle is the most worthwhile.

11. Descent from the Cat and Fiddle (001719). The first section to Dane Bower (010700) was scenic but not very techncial. From Spart Bent (003693) to Clough House (988698) was better, technical in parts, loose in others. Not stunning, but certainly worthwhile.

12. Longstone Quarry (SK214736) to Rowland (SK217728). There's no drop-offs or corners to worry about - just loads of huge (football sized) loose rocks all the way down.
13. Bottom part of descent from Hollins Cross (SK137845) towards Castleton (SK141842). Dull at the top, but a short section of drop offs at the bottom makes it all worthwhile.
14. Descent into Rowarth (SK 014888) from SK019885– again, bit loose, but a few drop offs to keep you on your toes.

Jacob's ladder

Jacob's Ladder-Roych Clough route - clockwise or anti-clockwise? Rich and I were convinced that clockwise was the answer (i.e. up Jacob's Ladder(SK088862 to 081861), down Chapel Gate (SK099829 to 113843)) as a) the descent off the back of Jacob's Ladder is pretty good, and b) the Chapel Gate descent is super-hard and fun. And it's hard to see how else you'd do the Chapel Gate descent in a sensible length ride - the other ways to the top are along a busy A road, or across Lord's seat (SK124834 to 099839), which is too boggy to be fun (although I've yet to ride it in the high summer so it might be ok then).

However, when we did this route last time, we realised that
a) there's a lot more pushing this way round (including the entirety of Jacob's ladder)
b) the descent off the back of Jacob's ladder is just loose and not that steep (although it was partly covered in snow, so I'm not about to change the top 12).
c) the descent from Lord's Seat (SK099839) to the Roych Clough (SK077836) whilst not continuous has some really fun bits on it.

So maybe on balance it's better the other way round. Think I'll reseve judgement until I've done them both in the summer!

Peaks again

Now finally done all the bridleways in the central area of the Dark Peak, and a couple more in the White Peak so I think it's time to update the top descents.

The descent to Derwent Reservoir (SK167910) is actually a lot easier than I remembered it being - it's still a nice bit of trail, but doesn't deserve a special visit, so it's being removed.

I have also thought hard abut including the descent from the Longstone Quarry (SK214736) to Rowland (SK217728). There's no drop-offs or corners to worry about - just loads of huge (football sized) loose rocks all the way down. I still go too slowly to maintain momentum over this stuff, so haven't cleaned it yet, but I don't really enjoy this style of riding as its all about speed and not about precision. So is it a top ten of fun or challenge? Assuming the latter I'm including it fairly near the bottom. Thus the new top twelve stands as:

1. Chapel Gate (SK099829 to 113843)– the mainline is massive loose blocks, but the sneak line is no walk in the park. Further down, even the sneak liners are forced onto the mainline, but there are some curious ribbons of tarmac that form skinnies above the loose stuff, if you can stay on them!
2. Stanage from the top (SK 239844) all the way down past the Plantation (SK238836). You think once you’ve gone past the edge it’ll get dull, but the big rocks just keep coming. And not loose like most Peak descents.
3. From Hope Cross (SK150876) on the Roman Road, towards Ladybower (SK164881). Bit loose, some careful line selection required.
4. Jacob’s Ladder (SK081861 to 088862), steep start, then gets loose.
5. Descent from the top Jacob’s Ladder (Edale Cross (SK077861) all the way to Kinder Reservoir (SK054878)
6. Cavedale (SK137814 to 150827), eases you in gently before it gets really steep and loose!
7. Descent of Bradwell Edge (SK 183810 to 178807). Proper narrow singletrack to keep you on your toes.
8. Descent from Cut Gate (SK186961) to towards Ladybower (SK1709954). Really just the last minute suddenly gets some drop-offs, and an alpine hairpin!
9. From Derwent Edge (SK198885) to Ladybower (SK187884). Four sections of different character (ruts, grass, cobbles) but the section in the middle is the most worthwhile
10. Longstone Quarry (SK214736) to Rowland (SK217728). There's no drop-offs or corners to worry about - just loads of huge (football sized) loose rocks all the way down.
11. Bottom part of descent from Hollins Cross (SK137845) towards Castleton (SK141842). Dull at the top, but a short section of drop offs at the bottom makes it all worthwhile.
12. Descent into Rowarth (SK 014888) from SK019885– again, bit loose, but a few drop offs to keep you on your toes.

Peak District

This is our closest technical riding, and as such we’ve got a bit obsessive with recording it all. We’re still arguing how best to present our results to the rest of the world (currently it’s a map covered in highlighter and stickers…) so for the meantime we’ll present pout best bits. We’ve pretty much ridden most of the central areas now, so if it’s not mentioned here it’s probably rubbish. So, our top descents are:
1. Chapel Gate (SK099829 to 113843)– the mainline is massive loose blocks, but the sneak line is no walk in the park. Further down, even the sneak liners are forced onto the mainline, but there are some curious ribbons of tarmac that form skinnies above the loose stuff, if you can stay on them!
2. Stanage from the top (SK 239844) all the way down past the Plantation (SK238836). You think once you’ve gone past the edge it’ll get dull, but the big rocks just keep coming. And not loose like most Peak descents.
3. From Hope Cross (SK150876) on the Roman Road, towards Ladybower (SK164881). Bit loose, some careful line selection required.
4. Jacob’s Ladder (SK081861 to 088862), steep start, then gets loose.
5. Descent from the top Jacob’s Ladder (Edale Cross (SK077861) all the way to Kinder Reservoir (SK054878)
6. Cavedale (SK137814 to 150827), eases you in gently before it gets really steep and loose!
7. Descent of Bradwell Edge (SK 183810 to 178807). Proper narrow singletrack to keep you on your toes.
8. Descent from Cut Gate (SK186961) to towards Ladybower (SK1709954). Really just the last minute suddenly gets some drop-offs, and an alpine hairpin!
9. From SK167904, to Derwent Reservoir (SK167910), like (2) but easier.
10. From Derwent Edge (SK198885) to Ladybower (SK187884). Four sections of different character (ruts, grass, cobbles) but the section in the middle is the most worthwhile
11. Bottom part of descent from Hollins Cross (SK137845) towards Castleton (SK141842). Dull at the top, but a short section of drop offs at the bottom makes it all worthwhile.
12. Descent into Rowarth (SK 014888) from SK019885– again, bit loose, but a few drop offs to keep you on your toes.

And our top bits of singletrack are:
1. Beneath Derwent Edge (SK197874 to 198884)
2. Across the top of Cut Gate – always better in the gravity assisted direction (SK186961 to 194975)
3. Wormhill Hill (SK129747 to 123745)

There’s one ascent worth mentioning too. The old road from Castleton (SK135835) up Mam Tor (SK132833). It got destroyed by so many landslides that they gave up rebuilding it, and it’s now just a restricted byway. Effectively this means it’s a car free, tarmacked climb (with occasional interest over the landslid bits). It’s also fascinating to see nature’s power, and it has a nice view too.

The best pub-campsite combination is Hardhurst Farm (SK185829) and the Travellers Rest, just to the East of Hope. The campsite is cheap and relaxed. The pub doesn’t quite seem traditional enough, but does actually have everything you might need (real ale, good food, radiators) and despite some well dressed clientele, seems to take grubby climbers and bikers in its stride. Always stays open late, and will let you set up a tab so you can just order food and rinks and worry about paying at the end of the night. We have also been tempted to the Three Stags Heads in Wardley Mires (SK181856), possibly one of last truly traditional pubs in the country (don’t ask for a lager!) which also has a campsite next door. Unfortunately, it also catches all the wind, so really is summer only.
There’s a huge range of cafés – our favourites are in Hope (SK171855), the Outside café in Hathersage (SK233816) (and Calver (SK239758)) and the truck stop at Wardley Mires (SK181856).