Great route for traffic-free cycling, the High Peak trail is a gravel track which follows the course of an old railway. This railway was owned by a canal company, so was built in an odd manner with long flat portions joined by steep sections (like canal locks) where the trains were often hauled uphill by stationary engines.

This means that most of the route is nice and flat but with inclines that will often mean pushing uphill. These include Cromford High Peak junction westwards (1:9 for about a mile), Middleton Top (1:8 with a surface including drainage channels across the track, so beware when descending especially as there are very steep drop-offs to the side), and Hopton (1:14 for about 500 yards or 457 metres).

You can get a good speed up downhill but be careful as surface is very loose.

Gene

September 24, 2021

Lovely long gravel trail with a couple of very steep and long climbs which have erosion steps built in that can be a little dangerous when descending at speed if you're not aware they're there

Holger 🥾 🚴🏼‍♂️ 🇩🇪🇺🇦

April 22, 2025

A fabulously good, flat path on a former railway line through the very hilly national park

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 310 m

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Wednesday 29 October

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Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

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Location: Hopton, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire, East Midlands, England, United Kingdom

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