High Peak Trail - Detail
Where to start
High Peak Trail can be tackled in a number of ways. The most "conventional" is to start at MIddleton Top (Map) and head west. Middleton Top Visitor Centre (tel 01629 823204 website http://www.peakdistrict-tourism.gov.uk/peakdistrict/pl_midd.htm) has bike hire and cafe facilities. To cycle the whole trail start in the car park (free) at High Peak Junction, south of Matlock Bath (map). To access this car park cross the river at Cromford, where the A5012 joins the A6: after crossing the river bear right and follow the road for 2km beside the river. The car park is on the right. The trail is accessed over the footbridge that exits the car park on the west side.
If you have a compliant driver an attractive alternative is to cycle the trail from top to bottom. Get dropped off at Sparklow (map) just off the A515 10km south of Buxton and picked up at the High Peak Junction car park (as above).
Route
The route is extremely straightforward: follow the trail! The description below mentions some of the features along the way, and is written from High Peak Junction to Sparklow. Clearly, if you start at Middleton Top or elsewhere, just follow the relevant section.
Immediately after crossing the river at High Peak junction the trail climbs quite steeply for 1.5km, a total ascent of 140m. There is then 1.5 km of fairly level cycling to another steep, but quite short, ascent of about 30m. After a further 1km of level cycling there is another short ascent of 30m to Middleton Top. The trail is essentially flat from here on.
Middleton Top has shops and cycle hire (when open). It was the site of a steam lifting engine that pulled the wagons up the steep incline and there is a small museum about the industrial history. See their web page (as above) for opening hours and contact telephone.
After Middleton Top the Trail passes through a number of cuttings and short tunnels then enters a wide open valley. From here on there is a variety of cycling on embankments across open vistas, and cuttings with restricted visibility. In cold weather some areas can be very exposed and cold. When it's clear the views can be unforgettable.
1km after crossing the A515 High Peak Trail meets the Tissington Trail. A few hundred metres on you arrive at Parsley Hay with cycle hire and refreshments (see their website for opening hours and contact number). It is now only 5km to the northern end of the trail: after the parking at Sparklow the trail is much less travelled and quite overgrown at points.
Now turn around a go back to your car!