[Closed] Big yomp across the Peak - route advice

Ooh. I might also be doing a big peak ride on friday if I can't summon up the energy to drive to the Lakes.

Question 2 – Stanage Edge to Bamford

I've been searching for a decent way down without success. What I usually do is go back up stanage causeway after plantation and then go along the edge and beyond until you get to the Sheffield road. Problem is that this is miles from Bamford, so you'd probably be best nipping up WLT, across under the dam, up the forest road and down Hagg Farm then up Elmin Pitts then down Potato. But then that's one extra climb. ( or just hang a right on the A57 after Hagg Farm)

Question 3 – Doctor’s gate OR cheeky over Featherbed Moss & Chunal Moor

LOls, I got back from Doctors Gate about an hour ago, and funnily enough approached it ( from the west) over featherbed moss and Burnt Hill!

Burnt Hill up to Snake was lovely, but nearly all paving slabs. Not sure it would be so great down, but OK.

I wouldn't recommend Doctors Gate. Can't believe i said that, as I always used to rave about it. As you say, it has some tricky tech, but that's not the main issue at present. The bottom section is a huge brown quagmire. It's horrible. I was most disappointed.

Q1 I think I can help with. I ran across that path once around this time of year. I remember it being very squelchy and incredibly hard to follow the path. Not well used at all. Also big ladder type stiles over the stone walls. The footpath on the south side of the reservoirs from the end of soughley lane is probably a better option but still likely to be a quagmire along the first section. It improves after that though. Very popular with dog walkers in a morning but we are usually quite friendly

Thanks that's awesome info. Sounds like the trail skirting redmires rears is the better one to take

@thegeneralist thanks that's all awesome info 👍

The alternative option to go N from stanage to Sheffield road and WLT did occur to me. Seem to be 2 options that drop you around cutthroat bridge. Either across the top High Neb, or along Bamford Edge.
Ive no pressing need to go to Bamford, but a shop en route could be useful was the main reasoning. Bit I guess the WLT option gives you fairholmes....

For the drop to Glossop I was thinking of going north of Burt Moor. On 1:25k OS map there is a trail that goes from a trig point in on 'Harry Hut' then down worm stones. Any clues what that one's like?

Any clues what that one’s like?

Nope, but would be interested to know. If someone else comes up with better info then ignore the following:
It's very wet up there, boggy quite flat too. Anything that's not a properly built path ( a la Penine Way) may well be a gloopy horrible mess. I'm all for exploring ( which is why I went there this evening) but I'm not convinced it'll be good heading off the main drag.

Do you know some good stuff between Glossop and Stalybridge then? I was hesitant to say earlier, since you asked for tweaks to your route, not major changes..... but... I was supposed to be doing Glossop, Woodhead, Cut Gate Ladybower, Snake, Doctors at the weekend with friends. I binned it at the last minute partly due to the road closure protest and partly due to concerns about whether Doctors was worth the Snake and Woodhead slog.
In the end we started at Langsett, did Cut Gate, Screaming Mile, Hagg Farm, Elmin Pitts, Roman Road WLT then back over Cut Gate.

I am SOoooooo glad we did, it was excellent. If I taken them down Doctors then they would have killed me. It is a rancid mess at present.

So your options of 1) Roych/Jacobs or 2) do more around Castleton then escape north over Cut to Penistone sound like good options.. ( as above, unless you know the bit past Glosop is amazeballs)
/IMHO

Thanks, main reasons for heading to stalybridge were:
- Prevailing wind is forecast to be from the SE so tailwind all the way
- Wanting to ride right across the park (never done it before)
- making the most of snake pass closure.
-Easy/fast train stalybridge to Leeds

The last bit from Glossop to Stalybridge looks largely a bit shit to be honest, except from Wild Bank Hill, which looks super fun ( but I'd be too tired to enjoy it properly!)

Noted about the wetness on the tops. We've been spoiled in Leeds recently, all trails running great but it does tend to be drier over here.

I'm beginning to think the better option from stanage would be to do WLT, fairholmes, then Over cut gate.
Train back from either penistone or TPT to Barnsley and train from there.

On Q1, if you take the footpath just before the road gets steep due west through the Quarry (dis) is quite nice, steep grass then a styal and permissive path through the “Works” is short but nice. You then climb the road to the Causeway track to the pole.

On Q2, you can now ride down past North Lees Hall. Non-tech but pleasant. Avoid Hirstclough as it’s just tarmac now. It’s a shame you can’t ride the permissive path south down Ridgway Side, again not tech but some of the best views of the Hope Valley IMO. Could do it cheeky I guess.

I can indeed confirm Harry’s hut to Gnats hole is a great descent, although not sure of conditions at the moment.

At the bottom if you turn left to the corner, there is a great little path through the woods, then ride up to the glossop road.

There’s also some really nice cheeky trails that go from whitefield over the hill over to the golf course at bottom of snake pass.

Take the path around Shire hill down to end of doctors gate, which is another great little trail.

Through old glossop to bettenhill, then take the right hand bw down through mouselow to the railway bridge at Shaw. Great trail.

Bit of road bashing to woolley bridge, then seem to remember some nice paths through the woods skirting Hollingsclough.

Then up the Bw past Thorncliffe Hall to go up onto Wildbank. Super fun descent down to the res.

If you can take one final descent, there is a great little trail from Arlies lane just north of Stalybridge down to the main road at Cocker Hill.

Not shit

I’m beginning to think the better option from stanage would be to do WLT, fairholmes, then Over cut gate.

I was going to suggest that. There isn't really a coherent technical descent linking Hayfield and Glossop if you drop down Jacob's or over the Roych, well, there sort of is, but it's convoluted, if very good starting with Middle Moor then nadging over and down.

From the Flouch, at the bottom of Cut Gate, you can cut over to the rail trail, then up the road from Dunford Bridge, along the Longdendale Trail, then pick up the NHR - Northern Horse Route - through to Crowden. None of this is very technical, but it's kind of atmospheric and easy riding. Then you can cut over the top towards Mossley/Greenfield via all sorts of easy or tech depending on which way you go.

Stay off the Woodhead whatever you do. Horrible, dangerous road. Have fun.

@thegeneralist

"In the end we started at Langsett, did Cut Gate, Screaming Mile, Hagg Farm, Elmin Pitts, Roman Road WLT then back over Cut Gate."

did we see you down Hagg farm/up Elmin pits? we were both on Birds, hers is pink and can't be missed!

you'd have earned a bit of cake after that route..
sorry for the slight thread derail.. as you were!

Noted about the wetness on the tops. We’ve been spoiled in Leeds recently, all trails running great but it does tend to be drier over here.

It's not so much puddles or sections of muddy trail, but that the trail has been obliterated and turned into a swamp. Obviously its happened to loads of places that caught covid, but DG got it really bad:

https://flic.kr/p/2n8CeaD

can indeed confirm Harry’s hut to Gnats hole is a great descent, 

🙂 Noted for future reference.

Nick, you clearly know the area really well. What's your view on Doctor's Gate. Is it an amazing bit of trail that just needs to dry out a lot, or was it actually always a bit meh? Too hard at the top and then too easy for ages at the bottom...

My rose tinted memories were that it used to be excellent, but yesterday made me rethink.

well, there sort of is, but it’s convoluted, if very good starting with Middle Moor then nadging over and down.

Ooh tell us more 😀

@MartynS Yes indeed. You pair were fair motoring along! When you passed us again on Elmin Pitts we had a semi argument about whether it was the same couple!
Steering back onto something relevant for the OP, The Adventure Cafe in Hope was indeed excellent! Many thanks

Nick, you clearly know the area really well. What’s your view on Doctor’s Gate. Is it an amazing bit of trail that just needs to dry out a lot, or was it actually always a bit meh? Too hard at the top and then too easy for ages at the bottom…

My rose tinted memories were that it used to be excellent, but yesterday made me rethink.

My memories of it are that it's a load of hike a bike or full on trials at the top and then a massive swamp at the bottom. One of those trails that you do once to say you've done it then never go back. It could (with a lot of work) actually be a stunning descent. It's the kind of thing that might be worth building at a trail centre but up there is just far too much effort for zero return.

In normal circumstances you'd have also had to contend with several miles of busy A-road climbing to get there. Now of course it's just several miles of quiet A-road climbing!

Be edgy - Stanage / Strines / Derwent edges then WLT descent then chill up the A57 would be the best route there, imho.
You'd be circling around a bit though, and might prefer to make more westerly progress on a big ride like that.

Only done Bamford edge coming the other way but that is decent - more for the views than anything, but is obv more direct than the above.

I think there's a good way over to Mill hill from Snake but I've only tried Snake path through Ashop Clough and that's not really it. I did it in the dark, though, and was losing my way latter half - I think you might be able to ride westwards higher up the valley.

....When you hit the road, is there any better way down to Bamford, than Hurstclough Lane? Quite a lot of height to lose otherwise

? It's a valley you've got to cross surely ? No alternative but to lose the height somewhere

I think he wants to lose the height on a techie, interesting, flowing piece of singletrack. Rather than a road.

That was my interpretation anyway.

I think there’s a good way over to Mill hill from Snake

I think it's more like 'there ought to be a good way over to Mill Hill from the Snake, but if there is, no-one's found it to my knowledge. You can ride slabbed path from Snake Summit over to Mill Hill and more slabs down to the Chunal Road / junction with Monks and choose your descent from there, but the section between Ladybower and the top of the Smake is messy and yes, the Snake Path isn't it 😉

Anyone found better?

Thanks all

I think he wants to lose the height on a techie, interesting, flowing piece of singletrack. Rather than a road.

Yes that's what I meant. At no point in the ride do I have any interest in in defying the laws of physics.

@Garry_Lager

Be edgy – Stanage / Strines / Derwent edges then WLT descent

This is now what my line of thinking is, but probably then over cut gate, penistone finish. Mainly because there's going to be a hell of a lot more off road riding.

More questions now though...

Question 5 Any idea what the conditions will be like on the tops?

Question 6 Chances of irate gamekeeper? I've only once ridden those moors before and it was very very very early in the morning

Question 7 is the best way off stanage to head all the way along the edge to A57, or to drop down from half way along, to cut throat bridge?

Question 7 There looks to be a great descent down from lost lad to Derwent resr, ending down walkers clough.
Anyone got direct experience of that?
If that's good, was thinking of doing cut throat bridge, WLT, Derwent edge, lost lad, down to resr
Any problems with that to be aware of?

Question 7
Last but not least... Ground conditions on those tops?

Thanks again all!!!!

There looks to be a great descent down from lost lad to Derwent resr, ending down walkers clough.

Picture two on this thread. ( but you didn't hear this from me, right ;-))

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/phew-what-a-week-20000ft/

Last but not least… Ground conditions on those tops?

But, I was seriously dry when we did it. Middle section will be damp.

Will answer your other questions tomorrow. Need to get some zeds or I won't be fit for Blencathra this Friday ( dam this forum is amazing). In the meantime, this shows the route we did along Stanage ad then to that Walkers Clough

https://strava.app.link/5pw06izyqob

👍👍👍 lovely stuff

Interesting ur route went up foulstone road, was looking at that as another option up onto Derwent edge. Looks like it might be a bit of an easier way up than WLT

@el_boufador can't help with conditions, not been over that way all winter.

I'd ride Stanage edge on a Fri morning - swerve it weekends as it's a very popular walking spot especially above the carparks. But everyone has their own attitudes to riding these sort of routes. Last time I was on the edges I did actually encounter a ranger (on white edge) which was surprising - like what are the chances? So they do exist.

Down to A57, up road to Foulstone rd over the moors is geographically the best, but again not sure on conditions. It was a pleasant climb on decent ground when I did it last Spring. Road and Foulstone is better way of gaining height then road and riding up WLT and then up Derwent edge, which is a gently gradient but rocky so feels harder.
You've then got the option of Walkers Clough (not ridden it) on thegeneralist's recommendation, or just back down Derwent edge and WLT descent is great riding. Spin round the res up to Cut Gate then is decent miles but nice and easy.

Any idea what the conditions will be like on the tops?

On Saturday Cut Gate was pretty squelchy in the morning, but then it had rained bit in the night. People will tell you that since the Bog of Doom has been repaired it is fine in any weather, but this isn't the case. Its eminently rideable but nowhere near as mind-blowing awesome as it is when it's crispy dry.

Chances of irate gamekeeper? I’ve only once ridden those moors before and it was very very very early in the morning

I met the gamekeeper on the Penine Way on Monday night up at Doctors. He was very pleased to see me, and thanked me profusely for opening the gate for him.
YGKMV 😉

Question 7 is the best way off stanage to head all the way along the edge to A57, or to drop down from half way along, to cut throat bridge?

I've used three options:
1) ride along the top of Stanage from Causeway. Great, but a bit gnadgery ( which I love). Probably my preferred option this week for dryness reasons.
2) along the various paths below the crag. This was great, but I reckon it'll be a bit boggy this week.
3)Jarvis Clough via the Grouse buts and LRT. Only done this upwards. I reckon the Grouse buts bit will be wet.

ur route went up foulstone road, was looking at that as another option up onto Derwent edge. Looks like it might be a bit of an easier way up than WLT

Road and Foulstone is better way of gaining height then road and riding up WLT and then up Derwent edge, which is a gently gradient but rocky so feels harder.

Yep, I cleaned the WLT ascent for the first time this week, and it is brilliant, but the bit above the LesArcs junction is too steep to ride up to Derwent ( I think).

You’ve then got the option of Walkers Clough (not ridden it) on thegeneralist’s recommendation, or just back down Derwent edge and WLT descent is great riding.

I'd do the latter unless it's really dry. Up Foulstone then down Derwent then hang a right to the traverse, then down to the paving slabs etc to Derwent. The bit above my photo in that thread will be damp.

Enjoy

Nice one, cheers!

Well come on @el_boufador . How did it go? What was good, what wasn't?

Sorry!

Write up here

It was ace!

Trails were all in great condition with the exception of the top of stanage edge which was a bit of a swamp but it was over fairly quickly

I decided to take the descent down off lost lad rather than down WLT, mainly due to curiosity.
Great descent, and also no worries with any bogginess above it.

Would definitely do that route again. Maybe not the ride down into Barnsley tbat was 🤮

Experience Barnsley. I’d rather not…! Good route though, looks like a good day out.