Hope, Peak District

Distance 36.9km (22.9 miles) Climbing 1,415m (4,642ft) Time 3hrs 30mins to 5hrs 30mins

Route summary A big, challenging ride with steep, technical, rocky terrain throughout. It’s not too remote and there are some sneaky shortcuts that can be taken if needed.

Start/ inish Hope car park (postcode S33 6RS, grid ref SK 171/835) 1

Turn right out of the car park then right on Pindale Road. Cross the bridge and keep right, past the cement works. Climb steeply and, when the road turns right, keep ahead on a rough track, past some houses, for a tough, rocky climb.

2

Bear right at the top. Go left on the road, then shortly after bear right to join a parallel track. Climb, bear right to a track crossing and turn right on the Limestone Way bridleway. This becomes technical down to Castleton. Go left on the road and left at the island, then right to a T-junction, and turn left.

3

Keep ahead at the roundabout, and ahead/right at the fork, on a dead-end road. Continue ahead at the end, following it uphill and left, through a gate. Be careful of the hidden drops along here. Join a road at the top, to a junction, and go right, then take the first right, signed to Edale. Climb steeply.

4

Ride over the top and, as you descend, bear right to a gate, and immediately fork left. At a gated area keep right, climb the hillside to Hollins Cross and go left, downhill. Pass Backtor Farm, keep left to a road and go right. After 1.3km bear left on a bridleway in a tunnel of trees.

5

Cross a stream, then climb to a track crossing and turn left. Descend to tarmac and go right. Ride down then up to a road and cross it. Head through Rowlee Farm and a gate, up a rough track, ahead/left past Lockerbrook Farm, through a gate, up and down. Keep ahead/left for a long rocky descent.

6

Through a gate, go right on the road, by the reservoir. At a roundabout by Fairholmes Visitor Centre, keep ahead for 1.3km, then turn right after a car park. Climb, head right at the top along the field edge, through a gate and left on a track. Pass through another gate and follow this rocky track downhill.

7

Head through yet another gate and keep ahead on the tarmac, down to, and across, the A57. Descend, cross the water and turn left. Climb and, when the track bears right, go left through a gate, then right on a bridleway at the bottom. Keep ahead to the top, Hollins Cross, and go left on a dirt track.

8

Keep ahead along the hillside, onto a rocky descent. Go through a gate and join the tarmac. Bear sharply right by a farm, down to a road. Turn left and keep ahead back into Hope. Make a right at the junction and the car park is on the left.