Longnor-Hartington Loop

I use OS Outdoor Leisure Map 24 (White Peak Area) 1:25,000. You can normally park up in the centre of Longnor if you are bringing your bike, although it can get very busy at weekends and during the summer. The same applies to Hartington, which you could use as the start/end point of the ride if you wish.

In Longnor, from the cobblestoned Market Square, head East past the fish and chip shop and Post Office, heading for Crowdicote. After you leave the village, (about 150 metres) ignore the right fork to Sheen, and keep on the road as the route descends down the the valley bottom (River Dove). It is a longish descent and not overly wide, so take care and watch your speed (!). If you can (stop, preferably) take in the view to your left of Chrome Hill. There is a small humpback bridge at the bottom, and you very quickly start the climb on the opposite side of the valley, passing the Packhorse Inn on your right (good food, good pint, good pub).

The road is now at least not single track, but in true alpine fashion has instead two hairpin bends, an "inside" one with a short but steep 5 metres that can catch you out, so make sure you keep your wits about you, and preferably some momentum. Also, watch the traffic, it can be busy here....

Continue up, levelling out until you come to the crossroads at High Needham. Left is Earl Sterndale, straight on is to the A515 Ashbourne to Buxton road. Turn right , heading for Pilsbury and Hartington, famous for its Cheese Shop. This section of road (which runs through Long Dale at the far end) is very pleasant cycling territory. Stay on the road for about 3km (a couple of miles) - Custard Field Farm is about halfway - until you come to the main road into Hartington (give way). Turn right towards Hartington, and be very aware of traffic here as it can get busy, for the short run into Hartington village itself. A good place to stop for a break, if needed, with shops, toilets, pubs and tea-rooms.

Once refreshed, head out of the village on the B5054 towards Hulme End. Turn right to Sheen after about 1km, and follow the road round a sweeping curve followed by a shortish descent and climb to the signpost in Sheen village. The village (world famous because of its champion Tug O' War teams) itself doesn't have a centre really, so turn right at the signpost, and cycle past the pub on your left (the Staffordshire Knot) and the church on your right, leaving the village after about 1km. Continue on this road, gently climbing to the ridge that runs past Sheen Hill, with magnificant views left, across to Morridge and beyond, and right across the Dove valley to where you have just cycled! On a clear day, you can see well into Shropshire and Wales.

After 2-3 km, you have the long(-ish) and sharpish descent from the ridge, down a twisty narrow road. Nice view here, but be aware of traffic coming up the hill. At the bottom, after a short stretch on the level, you will come to a give way junction, which is the right fork in the road mentioned above. Turn left, and a short push on, allows you to freewheel back into Longnor. Thats it. Done.

Good training route this for those wishing to mix some challenging climbs and enjoyable level stretches. It is equally good fun, and perhaps slightly more hard work, to do the route the other way round. The climb up to Sheen, and that at the end back up to Longnor are both good workouts. And often the wind is against you (isn't it always!) coming from Long Dale to High Needham.

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