Dark Peak MTB Short Break
See the Dark Peaks of the Peak District in 2 days with a short mountain biking holiday. We provide accommodation, luggage transfers, maps and guidebooks.
Dark Peak MTB Short Break
https://www.contourscycle.co.uk/dark-peak-short-break-mtb
Explore the Dark Peak on a long weekend with this 45-mile circuit, beginning and ending in Bamford.
From £255 per person
Cutting out the extra loops around Hayfield and Ladybower from our Dark Peak MTB route, the Dark Peak MTB Short Break sticks instead to the central section, full of rocky trails through wild moorland and stints along the shoreline of gleaming Ladybower Reservoir.
With a steady climb out of Bamford along the southern flank of Win Hill, the trail soon climbs onto narrow bridleway at Hope Brink to follow the Roman road across Blackley Clough and the fantastic, rocky descent known as ‘Potato Alley’! After a loop around Ladybower the route drops into Hope before the tough climb up Pin Dale leading to the technical, rocky challenge descending Cave Dale. Wide moorland becomes a staple as the route crosses west on hard-packed trails beneath looming Kinder Scout, then cuts back along the Kinder Loop at Coldwell Clough to tackle the long climb up to Edale Cross, rewarded by the spectacular descent of Jacob’s Ladder. The trail returns by climbing and descending the northern flank of Mam Tor, before the final descent from Hope Cross, down the ‘Beast’, before a calmer stretch along the reservoir shore, the ideal easy cooldown before a celebratory pint at Bamford.
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-DP-MBSB | A circular trail beginning at Bamford | 2 days riding | £255 |
Travel to Bamford where your first night's accommodation has been booked
Bamford to Hayfield. 22 miles (35km) / 3517 ft (1072 m) ascent
Hayfield to Bamford. 23 miles (37km) / 3022 ft (921 m) ascentDepart from Bamford after completing the tour, or add an extra night in Bamford during the booking process for an extra charge
The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than 2.5 miles from the trail to your accommodation.
Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
Favouring gradual ascents where possible, the Dark Peak Short Break includes a few short stints of relatively flat trails along the shore of the reservoir, but is largely an undulating route that rises to high-up trails with a mix of long and intense descents.
The Dark Peak MTB short break favours unsurfaced terrain along bridleways and byways. Expect a mix of rocky, technical terrain; muddy, rooty pathways across the moors; and some less technical surfaces of grit and hard-packed soil. The trail avoids tarmac where possible, save a few linking sections and the run down into town to overnight accommodation.
We recommend you have experience riding off road before attempting the Dark Peak MTB short break. You’ll need a capable mountain bike to ride these off-road trails, especially the more challenging sections.
To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:
