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Bex
Hopkins, WhatMountainBike? Magazine Issue 19.STANAGE
CIRCUIT, DERBYSHIRE
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DISTANCE: 22.36km
(13.86 miles)
TIME: 2-4 hours
RATING: Hard
Total
distance: 22.36km (13.86 miles)
Map:
OS Explorer OL1, The Peak District, Dark Peak area.
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If
you're going to travel to the Peak District you may as
well see as many of the sights as you can in one go, and
although this route is quite short, less than 14 miles,
it's possible to get views right across the Peak District
and Pennines. You'll be able to see them even if the bridleways
don't take you there. In fact, considering the huge potential
of mountain biking in the Peak District, the number of
bridleways is quite limited, footpaths and walkers have
the best access and unfortunately the best trails too.
Moaning aside, Stanage Edge has to be one of the best
parts of the Peak District, a gritstone cliff jutting
out above the heather, attracting climbers, walkers and
bikers above the low clouds even in winter. The slog up
to the Edge is definitely worth the effort, the views
are rewarding enough but you also get the thrill of the
rocky descents too.
Heading out from the picturesque town of Hathersage, with
it's babbling brook, cafžs and quaint side streets, the
road section is a good warm up - read that as long and
steep! But gaining altitude the easy way leaves you time
to take in the scenery and save some leg power for the
mega-technical ascent of Stanage Edge. From Dennis Knoll
up to the Edge you'll experience rocky singletrack, loose
rock fields, boulder sections, rock steps and some more
rocky bits just to tax you a bit more. Oh yeah, and it's
pretty rocky at the top as well.
But before you give up and push or carry your bike, think
about the number of men and ponies who mined the gritstone
and carried it down this track. Bet they didn't moan,
well actually they probably did, but that's not the point!
The ascent may not be easy but it sure is fun and challenging.
If nothing else your handling skills will have improved
ten-fold by the summit. If you've ever seen photos of
the famous French Cap D'Ail World Cup downhill course
from the early '90s then you'll know what I'm talking
about, apart from we seem to be riding up it...
Over the top of Stanage Edge and the rocky track levels
off, the popular track used to be heavily eroded and become
waterlogged in winter, but since the path got 'paved'
with natural slabs of rock, winter is much easier and
almost mud free. It's still challenging to ride, we're
not talking pavement or patio, but you get the option
of many lines. Heading past Stanage Pole, the gradient
changes and the long rocky downhill to Redmires Reservoir
begins as the scenery changes to incorporate woodland
among the heathland. Although not as technical as the
ascent, this side of the Edge allows you to let rip and
stay off the brakes, with good visibility and a choice
of line to avoid other trail users safely.
At the reservoir the route picks up the road until Ringinglow,
back off-road and along the ancient road, Houndkirk Road.
An old coaching route to Sheffield and still used by motocross
bikes and off-road vehicles today, the descent is nice
and smooth compared with all the rocks of Stanage. This
brings you out at Fox House and back on the road to Hathersage,
although the road can be busy, most Peak District motorists
are patient and respectful. The road back to Hathersage
has spectacular views and the descent is fast and long
all the way back to the car park from Millstone Edge,
another popular climbers' hangout. As you enter Hathersage
the church on the right is home to Little John's (of Robin
Hood fame) grave, so if you've got enough strength in
your legs it's worth a peek before finally dismounting
your steed
Essential
info
Best time to go: Spring through to autumn is the
obvious time, but the gritstone and sandstone rock in
the area gives good drainage and the route is rideable
even after long rainy spells. The close proximity to Sheffield
means that Hathersage's cafžs and pubs open all year round.
Getting there: Hathersage is situated south west of Sheffield
and can be accessed via the A6187, Hathersage Road from
Whirlow on the outskirts of Sheffield, following signs
for Hathersage and Castleton. Alternatively, if you're
travelling from the west and Manchester, the A57 otherwise
named Snake's Pass, crosses the Pennines to Sheffield.
At Ladybower Reservoir turn right along the A6013 through
Bamford and then left onto the A6187 to Hathersage. The
public car park is sign posted from the main street in
Hathersage and is located almost opposite the shop 'Outside'
and the petrol station.
Food and where to stay: There is plenty of choice
for food in Hathersage, Longland's Eating House is above
Outside and serves healthy tasty food, or there are two
tea shops on the opposite side of Main Road. Fox House
Inn is on route but has recently been taken over by a
chain and has lost its individuality somewhat. A couple
of miles away is the classic Grindleford Cafž, a disused
railway station, famous for its rude signs and old fashioned
attitudes, the food is varied and good, cheap with huge
portions.
There are lots of cheap B&Bs in the Hope Valley, the
tourist info as below, Cannon Croft Guest House, Cannonfields,
Hathersage (01433 650005) is close to the start of the
route.
Tourist info: Castleton National Park Information
Centre, Buxton Road, Castleton 01433 620679.
YHA: Hathersage Youth Hostel, Castleton Road, Hathersage,
01433 650493. Open as a hostel until November, not open
through the day so check in before 10am or after 5pm.
Welcomes mountain bikes.
What to take: You'll be doing a lot of climbing and
the high areas such as Stanage Edge are cold and windy
even in the heat of summer, so a good wind proof and or
waterproof is essential. The off-road sections are extremely
rocky, suiting full suspension bikes best and punctures
can be a major problem, take at least one spare tube and
puncture repair kit. Although the ride isn't very long
you may be away from cafžs and shops for two to three
hours, so food, drink and waterproofs are a good idea
too.
Bike shops: Outside, an outdoor specialist shop
based on Main Road in Hathersage, 01433 651936, stocks
basic spares and inner tubes, but for a serious bike shop
try beSpoked, 5 King Street, Bakewell 01629 815076.
Map: OS Explorer OL1, The Peak District, Dark Peak
area.
The Route
The start: The public car park in Hathersage at
map reference Explorer OL1/231816 is well sign posted
from the A6187, which runs through the centre of Hathersage.
1. 0.00km (0.00 mile) From the car park turn right
onto the A6187 and ride west towards Bamford and Hope,
take the first right turn which climbs up away from the
main road. And you're off.
2. 0.55km (0.34 miles) Turn right up the amusingly
named Coggers Lane, this road steepens as it leaves the
residential area and climbs steadily, stay on this road
ignoring any smaller roads leading off to the left. Amazing
views can be experienced as the road summits and then
levels off neatly.
3. 3.00km (1.86 miles) The road abruptly turns
right, this is Dennis Knoll, a popular place for climbers
to park and the start of the rough off-road section, named
Long Causeway, up to Stanage edge. The track continues
straight on whilst the road turns off to the right. The
track gets evermore rocky, ranging from loose rounded
fist-sized rocks to foot high boulders to conquer. This
section is extremely technical, probably only ridable
from start to finish by the more experienced of riders,
however the gradient allows for walking of the most difficult
parts if necessary, and the views on a clear day are well
worth the effort.
4. 5.40km (3.35 miles) As the track summits the
cliffline, Stanage Edge, it levels off slightly and gives
way to a smoother track leading to Stanage Pole. Follow
the BOAT (Bridleway Open to All Traffic) down to Redmires
Reservoir, the track has a number of lines, from a roughly
paved track to the smoother grassy line. The descent is
fast and moderately rocky finally dropping onto a gravel
road at the edge of the reservoir. Continue around the
reservoir, along the metalled road, Redmires Road past
the first car park and Reservoir Cottages on the left.
5. 9.30km (5.77 miles) Take the first right turning,
after the second carpark, then follow the road round sharply
to the left towards Bole Hill.
6. 10.20km (6.32 miles) Take the first right turn
onto Fulwood Lane climbing and then dropping into Clough
Hollow and which finally meets the main Ringinglow Road.
7. 13.12km (8.13 miles) Cross the main road, effectively
taking the lane, Sheephill Road, straight across the staggered
crossroads by the hexagonal house. Continue along Sheephill
Road and take the track (BOAT) that runs off to the right,
this is Houndkirk Road and is an ancient road joining
the main Hathersage Road (A6187) leading to the old coaching
house, the Fox House Inn.
8. 17.49km (10.84 miles) The road (A6187) turns
sharply right at the Fox House Inn, stay on the main road
passing over Burbage Bridge, past Toad's Mouth a toad
shaped rock, and climbing up to Millstone Edge with stunning
views over to Hathersage and towards Castleton. Hathersage
Road then descents into Hathersage and the car park is
situated on the right in the centre of the village. Stop,
sit back, and relax in your biking glory.
Total distance: 22.36km (13.86 miles)
This route
was provided by WhatMountainBike? magazine.
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