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Looking to do a route from Langsett one day next week & finish down Cut Gate. Instead of doing an out & back to Fairholmes, i was planning on going over the Strines & maybe going along either Foulstone or Dukes road. Has any one ridden either of these? Which would be the best way down to Derwent from Back Tor?
Best loop in the Peak that, IMHO. Dukes Rd to the ridge, Don't go down from Back Tor, just do the full hit to Whinstone Lee Tor and down to Cutthroat bridge.
Out and back is by far the best.
Dukes can be a huge swamp in places and is in general a sapping peaty up hill slog and technically leads nowhere.
Foulstone is loads of tarmac for a rubbish fireroad climb which also technically leads nowhere.
The best way down from Back Tor is to not go there, getting to / from it is either flat and dull or flat and dull and paved.
Two very different opinions there.
ThePodge is a man of the Peak, but has chosen to talk bollox in this instance 🙂
The Dukes Rd could be rough in wintry bad weather - it's exposed moorland and there are one or two peaty sections. It's a lovely ride on a summer's day though - easy gradient and you can traverse the soft bit in about 20 seconds. Nor does it technically lead nowhere - it leads to Derwent Edge - which is Boss.
Bit of a twilight zone for a circular route eh? Langsett to Dukes Rd is a pain, road that's all up or down, and the climb up to Back tor is a boggy mess in places. From there, head south on Derwent Edge to either Whinstone Lee Tor or the footpath that crosses the edge about half a kilometre before wlt. You could head straight over the Derwent Edge track at Back tor down the footpath but it's a bit boring after the first 100m whereas both the alternatives I mention are great tracks.
Personally I wouldn't bother with any of this, I would accept the bonus of doing Cut Gate as an out and back (both ways are fantastic) and add on a loop of Derwent moor and Lockerbrook at the beginning and end
Garry_Lager ThePodge is a man of the Peak, but has chosen to talk bollox in this instanceThe Dukes Rd could be rough in wintry bad weather - it's exposed moorland and there are one or two peaty sections. It's a lovely ride on a summer's day though - easy gradient and you can traverse the soft bit in about 20 seconds. Nor does it technically lead nowhere - it leads to Derwent Edge - which is Boss.
A pic from last time I was up Back Tor, I was looking for one that showed the track but it was clearly too dull to bother with. [img] 
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If I was to do that route again I'd take the cross bike, far easier on the near pointless miles of tarmac and easier to shoulder for the boggy bits. I also found the slabs less than inspiring.
Note the "technically" bit in my earlier reply, its all footpath or open access land up there once you get to the end of the bridleway. Its up to you how much you want to obey the rules on that matter.
Nice photo podge. Here is one from the same trig point, last time I was up there, from a different aspect. See the trail snaking away into the distance? Begging to be ridden, as the magnificent vista of the Peak unfolds before you.
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Looks like we may have done it in different directions.
Now that does look inviting. I think i'll give it a whirl, it should be pretty dry & some times it's just good to be out in the middle of nowhere.
Can I just check that "Dukes Road" is the BW that goes up from near Wigtwizzle
I seem to remember that there was some mention of upgrading the paths that lead on from this, and the Strines/ Back Tor BW, and go down to Derwent Reservoir, to BWs. It does seem daft to have dead ends.
I've only done Back Tor once in 25 years - and that was with a full rucsac to climbing on Dovestone Edge. Mind you, I still have yet to do Cutgate without an epic !
If any of you who seem to be more knowledgable on the peaks would be willing I'd love some advice on routes around there. I was near Mellor and strines this morning and found some nice routes near new mills and Mellor golf clubs. My email is jonnyhindley at hotmail dot co dot uk.
Dukes Road is a bridleway that becomes a footpath once it crosses Derwent Edge because that is the county boundary. Stupid but true
Different Strines, I think mate.. You appear to be referring to Strines in between Marple and New Mills while they are discussing Strines Moor in between Langsett and Derwent. Not withstanding, the off road stuff around Strines (Stockport) station is nice enough 🙂