Day
1:
You will stay at Hartington YHA, this 17th century manor
house was the Peak Districts 1st YHA & features
log fires, oak panelling & a bedroom where Bonnie
Prince Charlie once slept.
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Day
2:
A series of traffic free bridleways takes you away from
Hartington through the attractive village of Biggin to
join the Pennine Bridleway. This fantastic gentle off
road trail takes you Northwards along the High Peak Trail
to Parsley Hay. A short detour away from the trail takes
you to Arbor Low Henge. This Neolithic stone circle is
said the date to 2000BC and played an important part in
the ceremonies & markets of Middle Stone age man.
A superb quiet country lane takes you along the almost
traffic free gorge at Long Dale back to Hartington. (13
Miles) |
Day
3:
Travelling South you will take to quiet country lanes
through green fields criss crossed with mile upon mile
of drystone walls. You will pass through the ancient &
remote village of Alstonefield which has a church dating
back to 892 AD and still retains the Norman doorway &
chancel arch dating to 1100. Cycle by the crystal clear
waters of The River Dove to Milldale – a superb
place to stop for a break! The scenery becomes much more
dramatic as you descend to Ilam & the spectacular
scenery at Dovedale. You will stay in another showcase
YHA at the Victorian Gothic mansion at Ilam Hall. (10
Miles) |
Day
4:
A short climb away from Ilam passes through Thorpe to
join another traffic free bridleway along the Tissington
Trail to the Estate village of Tissington. The small village
has an imposing Hall, fine church & well kept pond.
The village is well known for its ancient tradition of
well dressing which is still upheld throughout the Peak
District during the Spring & Summer. The trail takes
you all the way back to Hartington along the old railway
track so the cycling is easy! (14 Miles) |
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