Allow
Seriously tough climbs cut age-old routes of stone and salt across the western Peak, rewarding with rollicking descents, passing the lonely Jenkin Chapel, joined by rail and waterways of coal and limestone.
Route details
- Distance
29.8 miles / 48 km - Elevation Gain
845 m / 2772 ft - Time allow 4 hours
- Difficulty
Very Challenging - Terrain 24% Off-Road Path Traffic-free trails, towpaths & cycleways 74% Road Quieter lanes, sometimes brief busier roads 2% Unpaved Bumpier tracks & bridleways
- Suited to
Gravel Bike 
Hybrid Bike 
Mountain Bike 
Road Bike - Notes Two particularly fierce key climbs (with great rewards). Mostly road joined by sections of pretty good canal towpath and trail, wider road tyres advisable. Couple of gates, one canal bridge requiring dismount.
- Suggested Start Disley SK12 2AA SJ 9754 8471
- Places Bollington, Bridgemont, Buxworth, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Cheshire, Cheshire East, Combs, Derbyshire, Disley, Fernilee, Furness Vale, Goyt Valley, Greater Manchester, High Lane, High Peak, Higher Poynton, Jenkin Chapel, Middlewood, New Mills, Pott Shrigley, Pym Chair, Rainow, Saltersford, Stockport, Whaley Bridge, Whitehough
- Attributes Accessible by train, Canals, Car parking, Circular loop, Ideal for electric bikes, Industrial heritage, Moors, Pubs and cafés, Railways, Reservoirs, Rural heritage, Steep climbs, Views of hills and peaks, Views of open countryside, Views of towns and cities
The Peaks & Puddles Plus route page includes a route map, things to note, where to start and photo highlights. A full write-up and stage-by-stage guide will be added in the future.
How to unlock
Support the website for £10 to access everything…
Become a Peaks & Puddles Plus supporter for a one-off contribution and you’ll get access to all these exclusive extra pages — plus downloadable, phone-friendly Pocket Guides and over 70 GPX navigation files to take along for the ride.
Peaks & Puddles Plus
• All Plus route pages
• GPX Collection: over 70 navigation files
• Pocket Guides: 10 downloadable, printable guides to the most popular routes
For a one-off contribution, supporting my work and website running costs.
What you’ll receive
You’ll be provided immediately with the link to a hidden page where all these extra downloads and guides (marked Plus) can be accessed. Return any time to access new and updated content just thanks to that single contribution. As an extra bonus, I’ve made sure Plus guide pages are completely ad-free.
Thanks for your support!
I’m reserving these original routes and extra pages exclusively for supporters. The one-off contribution supports my work and website costs, with miles of cycling inspiration in return. This online guidebook is still growing, I’m nowhere near done yet, so it’s a great investment in my future plans. Thank you!
Anthony
Original photography, words and design by Anthony Sheridan unless indicated otherwise. Found this guide helpful? Buy me a coffee to help keep the wheels turning!
The all-important disclaimer: While great care and attention has been put into gathering these routes, ensuring details are accurate and determining their suitability, all information should be used as a guide only and is not a replacement for using your own judgement or research when setting out on new adventures. Peaks & Puddles/the author cannot be held responsible for any issues that may arise from the riders own decision to ride a section of indicated route.
Always ensure your equipment is safe and legal for use and that you are well prepared, carrying everything necessary including access to a good map. Follow the Highway Code and the Countryside Code at all times. Respect the landscape, the wildlife and the people you encounter. And after all that, have fun!