Ilam and The Tissington Trail

A long ride, but worth it for varied scenery and places of interest. A good place to start would be the car park at Hulme End, but Hartington or Longnor would serve equally well. It is a tougher ride from Longnor, but don't let that stop you - I would get to Hulme End from Longnor by taking the road through Sheen thus encountering the steep and narrow hill up the crest. Have a look:

If you start in Longnor you will see the Manifold Inn as you descend into Hulme End, otherwise leave the car park at Hulme End and meander across the bridge toward the Manifold Inn. There is a 30 mph speed limit, but usual warnings about traffic apply, especially when you turn immediately right just at the far end of the bridge in front of the pub. This is the road to Alstonefield. A long steady pull starts you off - not really steep though and gets you warmed up. A straight run of about 5 kilometres gets you to Alstonefield,  with a sharpish down and up about halfway, just before the right turn for Wetton and thence down to the Manifold Track if you fancy it another day.

Alstonefield is a very picturesque village with nice village green, shop, toilets, The George and a splendid church. If you are not stopping, bear right at the fork as you approach the centre of the village and cycle up past the village hall on your right, continue on and down the hill towards Hopedale where the "Watts Russell" sits at the junction where you will turn right. Straight on takes you to Milldale on the River Dove, which is a lovely spot. A matter of yards after having turned right you need to turn sharp left towards Stanshope and Ilam. A straight run due south for about 5k along the crest above the Rivers Hamps and Dove, passing through great scenery. A long steepish descent at the end brings you into the village of Ilam, with Ilam Hall (NT and YHA) with its Norman church in the park on your right and the cross in the centre which I believe is a memorial to Mrs Watts Russell.

You should now see some wonderful views of Thorpe Cloud. Having turned left in the centre of Ilam you should be heading for the village of Thorpe. The road meanders along to where cars turn for parking access to Dovedale, so there can be a lot of traffic here, including numerous coaches and you will cross the river just past here. Cycling just under the southern aspect of Thorpe Cloud (spectaular), it is time to prepare for the stiff climb up to Thorpe village, along a narrow road with passing places, and sometimes cattle wandering about can cause a bit of panic. After the road levels off, cycle on through to the village as the road meanders, until you reach the pub (The Dog and Partridge) opposite the garage. Bear right then immediately left at the pub (from Spen Lane into Narlow Lane) and after 50 metres or so, bear off to the right at the fork and cycle down the lane to pick up the Tissington Trail.

Head north on the trail as it crosses over the A515, swings around the village of Tissington, crosses back to the west of the A515 and up to Hartington. This is very pleasant cycling, apart from occasional patches of uneven surface (although this may have been remedied by now), through the old culverts and sections of the old railway. There is a picnic area and car park where you need to leave the trail as it crosses the B5054 which links Hartington to the A515. A busy road this, but a nice ride into Hartington itself with pubs, shops, tea-rooms and toilets all available. A recommended extension to this ride is to stay on the Tissington trail for a couple of (maybe three) kilomteres more, until just after the point where it becomes the High Peak trail, and cycle as far as Parsley Hay where there is a bike hire facility and small shop that does tea and coffee. You can leave the trail here and cycle west on the minor road to join the road that runs down through Long Dale. After a few hundred metres, bear right and cycle across the tops to Hartington, with splendid views  right back up the upper reaches of the River Dove towards High Wheeldon and Chrome Hill. This alternative route brings you into Hartington near the church, and you can't really lose your way.

If you started here, you're finished. Otherwise, a couple of kilometres back to Hulme End car park - a fairly easy run this, but watch the traffic. If you parked up in Longnor, turn off the Hulme End road and return through Sheen.

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