Cycle Routes

Discover the best local bike rides on the Peak District borders of Derbyshire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester. With route maps, detailed directions, tips and hundreds of photos, I’m still working on new guides to build a collection of over 30 — there’s plenty more adventures to come.

Routes are categorised as Gentle, Moderate, Challenging or Very Challenging and can also be explored by Bike Type, by Features, by Trail and by Places.

My own longer Recommended Rides (marked as P+) are unlocked by becoming a Peaks & Puddles + supporter — you’ll get access to all the routes, Pocket Guides and GPX downloads while helping to keep the free guides there for everyone!

Paths & Trails

Guides to our well-known, signposted cycle routes. Distances are shown as a complete out-and-back return ride or loop.

Peak Forest Tramway Trail

Peak Forest Tramway Trail

  • Gentle
  • 3.8 miles
  • 34 m

Sett Valley Trail

  • Gentle
  • 5.5 miles
  • 46 m

Manchester Airport Orbital Cycleway

  • Gentle
  • 8.7 miles
  • 49 m

Alan Newton Way

  • Gentle
  • 9.2 miles
  • 102 m

Longdendale Trail

  • Gentle
  • 12.9 miles
  • 115 m

Upper Peak Forest Canal

  • Gentle
  • 13.3 miles
  • 17 m

A555 Hazel Grove to Manchester Airport

  • Gentle
  • 14.9 miles
  • 145 m

Upper Derwent Valley

  • Moderate
  • 15.1 miles
  • 278 m

Manifold Way

  • Gentle
  • 15.8 miles
  • 98 m

Lower Peak Forest Canal & Marple Locks

  • Gentle
  • 16.4 miles
  • 115 m

Monsal Trail

  • Gentle
  • 19.2 miles
  • 141 m

Middlewood Way

  • Gentle
  • 20.2 miles
  • 122 m

Tissington Trail

  • Moderate
  • 26.9 miles
  • 265 m
High Peak Trail

High Peak Trail

  • Moderate
  • 35 miles
  • 315 m

Peaks & Puddles Rides

My own original Peaks & Puddles routes, exploring beyond the trails to capture the best local sights and cycling. Become a Peaks & Puddles + supporter to access them all.

Buxworth Bypasses

  • Moderate
  • 6.8 miles
  • 216 m

Kinder Valley Explorer

  • Gentle
  • 8.9 miles
  • 130 m

Over Hills Around New Mills

  • Challenging
  • 10.6 miles
  • 414 m

Chinley Churner

  • Challenging
  • 10.9 miles
  • 463 m

Lyme Lanes

  • Moderate
  • 12 miles
  • 300 m

Wood Lanes off Middlewood

  • Gentle
  • 12.5 miles
  • 161 m

Lyme Loop

  • Moderate
  • 12.5 miles
  • 215 m

Mills and Brows

  • Moderate
  • 14.3 miles
  • 371 m

Biggin and the Big Long Dale

  • Gentle
  • 14.7 miles
  • 193 m

Tame Vales and Valleys

  • Gentle
  • 15.6 miles
  • 225 m

Goyt Valley Grinder

  • Challenging
  • 17.6 miles
  • 588 m

Beginners’ Brickworks

  • Challenging
  • 18.4 miles
  • 507 m

Peaks and Perry Dale

  • Challenging
  • 20.1 miles
  • 585 m

Hidden Hills in High Peak

  • Very Challenging
  • 23.1 miles
  • 1012 m

Cheshire Mountains of Macclesfield

  • Very Challenging
  • 23.6 miles
  • 910 m

Cat & Fiddle Climbs

  • Very Challenging
  • 26.7 miles
  • 1067 m

More Routes

Longer Combined Rides

Station to Station Rides

Pocket Guide Collection

Downloadable mini PDF route guides suitable for both phone and print, with easy turn-by-turn directions and custom maps. Includes all current and future Pocket Guides. Get it here

By Bike Type

By Features & Attributes

By Trail

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