LOCATION DETAILS

The Dark Peak, aka High Peak, has millstone grit covering the underlying limestone, which gets saturated in the wet. While the steep, rocky terrain provides lots of technical riding and amazing scenery, it’s hard on both body and bike.

GETTING THERE Hayfield is south-east of Manchester, between New Mills and Glossop, on the A624 and A6015. Once you reach the town, follow the brown signs to the Sett Valley Trail car park.

MAPS & BOOKS OS Landranger 110: She eld & Huddersfield. Peak District Mountain Biking: Dark Peak Trails by Jon Barton (Vertebrate Publishing).

FACILITIES The George Hotel in Hayfield o ers B&B and good food and beer (01663 743691, www.george hotelhayfield.co.uk). Good refreshments can also be had from The Village Chippy (07572 489806) and Millie’s Tea Rooms (01663 741584). Halfway around but just o the route is The No Car Cafe at Rushop Hall (01298 816218, https://thenocarcafe.rushop hall.com), near the start of the Roych Clough bridleway. Sett Valley Cycles in New Mills (01663 742629, www.settvalleycycles.co.uk) and 18 Bikes in Hope (01433 621111, www.18bikes.co.uk) are both good local bike shops.