Peak District Mountain Bike Trails for Every Level

The Peak District has some of the best natural mountain biking in the UK: old packhorse routes, moorland bridleways, reservoir loops and rocky descents, all within a few miles of each other. The Hope Valley, where we're based, sits right in the middle of it.

Meet our neighbours: The Bike Garage

Right next door to us at The Adventure Hub in Bamford is The Bike Garage, a bike hire and repair shop run by riders who know these trails inside out. We work closely together: they supply the hire bikes for our mountain biking courses, and they're a brilliant first stop if you're planning your own ride.

They offer:

• Bike hire: hardtails, full suspension bikes and electric mountain bikes, so you can ride the right bike for the trail.
• Routes with GPX downloads: a set of Peak District mountain bike routes, each with a full guide, elevation profile and GPX file.
• GPS units: hire a GPS that comes pre-loaded with all their routes.
• Servicing and repairs, including e-bikes.

Give them a call on 01433 659345 for route advice on the day.

Routes for every level

Here's a taste of the routes you can ride straight from Bamford, from The Bike Garage's route collection.

Easy: traffic-free and family friendly

Thornhill Trail and the Upper Derwent Valley (Route 6). A traffic-free loop along the old railway line and around Ladybower and the Upper Derwent reservoirs, from 2 to 23 miles depending on how far you want to go. Ideal for families, beginners and a gentle e-bike ride.

Medium: your first proper mountain bike rides

• Shatton Mast (Route 1, 7.2 miles): a short route packed with singletrack, fast descents and great views.
• The Beast of Hope Cross (Route 2, 11 miles): a taste of everything the Peak offers, from old railway lines to rocky descents.
• Upper Derwent MTB Classic (Route 3, 17 miles): a classic loop around the reservoirs with two big climbs.
• Lords and Ladies (Route 11, 21 miles): a middle-distance loop taking in Mam Tor and some fine bridleways.

New to trails like these? A day with an instructor gets the core skills nailed first:

Hard: big days out

• Shatton Ladybower Enduro (Route 4, 20 miles): four brilliant descents, from wide grassy tracks to tight, exciting singletrack.
• Caves and Castles (Route 9, 24 miles): six climbs and six descents with plenty of technical riding.
• Chinley to Bamford (Route 8, 19 miles): a point-to-point epic over the high moors. Take the train out to Chinley and ride home to Bamford.

Remember that conditions change with the seasons. Trails that are fast and dry in summer can be muddy and slippery in winter, so ask The Bike Garage what's riding well before you set off.

Before you ride

• Ride within your limits. Pick a route that matches your fitness and skills, and remember it takes longer than you think.
• Carry the essentials: a spare tube, pump, multi-tool, waterproof, food, water and a phone. Our top 5 tips for your first mountain bike adventure has more.
• Stay on bridleways and byways where cycling is allowed, give way to walkers and horse riders, and leave gates as you find them.
• Take a map even if you have a GPS. Batteries run out and the moors look very similar in the mist.

Ride with an instructor

Want to build your skills before tackling the harder routes? Our courses run from The Adventure Hub, with bike hire from The Bike Garage that you can add when you book. Start with a taster day or the two-day beginner course, then step up to Improvers once you're comfortable on 20km+ off road and want more technical terrain.

Our scheduled courses are for ages 18 and over, with a maximum of 6 riders per instructor.