HOPE, PEAK DISTRICT

STATS: 36.2KM (22.5 MILES) CLIMBING 1,200M (3,937FT) TIME 2HRS 30MINS TO 3HRS 30MINS

Route summary: There’s technical, rocky riding throughout this route, taking in some classic Dark Peak descents, tough climbs and wonderful views along the way

Start/finish: Hope station (postcode S33 6RU, grid red SK 181/833)

1 Keep ahead/right to a main road junction. Go right then right again, signed to Aston. Gradually climb for 0.9km, then turn left on a steep track with bins, keeping left at the top/house, off-road, for a tough ascent across moorland.

2 At the top, keep ahead at a track crossing. Follow the treeline and join the Roman Road. Keep right on this, past Hope Cross, to a track crossing, and continue ahead (right is another technical descent, The Beast).

3 Continue along the hilltop onto a long rocky descent, ending at a quiet road. Turn right, descend then climb to cross the A57, and continue uphill, past Rowlee Farm. Go up the wide track to the top and keep ahead/left. Pass the outdoor centre, head through a gate and ascend.

4 Fork ahead/left for a rocky descent. Go right on the road, following the reservoir. Descend to a roundabout by Fairholmes Visitor Centre and go left on the tarmac, past the dam. Follow this up to a junction and keep ahead.

5 Go left through another gate, to climb the steep flagstone path. Follow this past some farm buildings, ascend onto the moorland and keep right after another gate, leading to Winstone Tor. Keep ahead/left at the track crossing, onto a wider track littered with rocks.

6 Follow the trail left, then keep right. Go across the water and keep left through more gates, down a rocky track. Keep right just before the bottom (or ahead to the pub). Climb, descend to a gate and bear left, down to the A57.

7 Turn right, cross the reservoir and go right on the road, towards the Visitor Centre. After 2km, after a cattle grid, turn left and climb steeply. Go right, through a gate, ride to another and bear left to descend steeply on a rocky track.

8 Continue on the tarmac. Go over the A57, cross a bridge and turn left. Climb and then go left through a gate when the track bears sharply right. Descend to a track and go right on it, then turn sharply right and ascend.

9 Follow this track uphill, turn sharply left, left again at Hope Cross and keep ahead/right. Descend to tarmac and follow it downhill. Bear right by a farm and left at a road. Cross the bridge and keep ahead into Hope. The station is left at the crossroads in the village.