XC around Matlock

angrymeerkat
angrymeerkat Posts: 134
edited May 2010 in Routes
I'm looking to plan some cheeky xc action in the Matlock area next month... and bikely is giving me loads of "onroad, scenic" links. Nothing really offroad. OS Openspace tells me there are loads of footpaths, virtually no bridleways - which isn't really much good either. Interestingly when this is compared with the openstreetmap cycle, some of the paths are marked as bridleways...

I'll only really have a morning free (day before a family wedding, helping set up & etc), and want to make use of being in the peaks... driving somewhere is less than ideal, but an option. Either way I need to prime the gps with a route so I can get as much in without any faffing about!

Can any locals give me some ideas? Is the OSM representation accurate?
Everytrail, Flickr.

Comments

  • Tank-slapper
    Tank-slapper Posts: 968
    To the north, west and south of Matlock are some decent tracks. If you only have a morning, you might not get far unless you set off real early. How far are you thinking of riding?
  • angrymeerkat
    angrymeerkat Posts: 134
    Tank-slapper wrote:
    To the north, west and south of Matlock are some decent tracks. If you only have a morning, you might not get far unless you set off real early. How far are you thinking of riding?
    Well, given the terrain I can probably look at 25 miles as a sensible distance, setting off around 7.30. Don't mind a few miles on-road to get there, either.
    We'll be just by the a6 on dimple road, so south west would be easiest.
    Everytrail, Flickr.
  • Tank-slapper
    Tank-slapper Posts: 968
    A possible route of about 30-35km might be:

    Matlock SE on A6 then A615 to Matlock Green. Turn S 303 598 to Starkholmes. Turn E 302 588 up killer hill to Riber. Turn SE 305 587 onto track past Hearthstone Farm + bridleway to road by R Derwent. Turn SE 307 569 follow road to Highpeak Junction (turn SW off road 315 561 + follow path over bridges). Follow High Peak Trail all the way to Hopton. Turn N 252 546 onto bridleway through Griffe Grange to Grangemill 244 576. Cross main road onto B5056 to Bakewell, immediately turn right to Ible. Turn S 546 577, then E 548 573. Go past Whitelow Farm to X-roads 255 584. Go straight on, then left. Turn E 262 592 follow track to road 270 592. Cross straight over + short fun track to rejoin road. Turn E 271 592. Turn S 280 594, track + bridleway to cross in Bonsall. Turn SE 279 583 to Town End Farm 283 579. Bridleway to A5012 in Cromford (last bit is a footpath). Turn E 292 571 to T junction. Turn left and left again on A6. Follow this back to Matlock.
  • Slamdunkin
    Slamdunkin Posts: 355
    Heres a map showing high peak and tissington trails in relation to Matlock.

    http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/hptisstrails.pdf
  • Radixmatrix
    Radixmatrix Posts: 36
    Tank-slapper has pretty much described a version of my regular ride from my front door, which I never tire of doing (8 years and counting), is rideable in all weathers and pretty deserted mid-week.

    I sometimes continue down along Salters Lane and off the top to take the bridleway west down past Masson and come back to Matlock via the River, rather than back through Cromford.

    Ride is also good in reverse, with some good routes around Black Rocks and the descent to High Peak Junction - certainly plenty to occupy you for a morning.
  • tenchi
    tenchi Posts: 52
    There are some cracking routes marked as orpas and rb's on the os maps. Well worth having a look at, but as they can be multi user routes be tolerant of others enjoying them :wink:
  • bamba
    bamba Posts: 856
    Does any one have any of the routes described above mapped anywhere on line at all please ?
    My Trance

Categories