Dark Peak MTB Short Break
Ride the Dark Peak on a long weekend with this 49-mile mountain biking circuit, beginning and ending in Bamford.
3 nights
49 miles
Demanding / Strenuous
From £335 per person
Dark Peak MTB Short Break
Ride the best of the Dark Peak District in 2 days on our short mountain biking holiday. We provide accommodation, luggage transfers and directions.
Dark Peak MTB Short Break
https://www.contourscycle.co.uk/dark-peak-short-break-mtb
Ride the Dark Peak on a long weekend with this 49-mile mountain biking circuit, beginning and ending in Bamford.
From £335 per person
A shorter version of our Dark Peak Mountain Biking route, the Dark Peak Short Break takes in the very best riding in the area, full of rocky trails through wild moorland and above the gleaming waters of Ladybower Reservoir.
With a steady climb out of Bamford along the southern flank of Win Hill, the trail hits narrow bridleway at Hope Brink to follow the Roman road to Hope Cross and the rocky descent known as 'The Beast'. After looping back alongside Ladybower to climb back over Hope Brink, descend to Hope for a tough climb up Pin Dale and a superb technical, rocky challenge descending Cave Dale. Wild moorland becomes a staple as the Dark Peak Short Break heads west via Rushup Edge and Roych Clough on hard-packed trails beneath looming Kinder Scout and into Hayfield.
Day two cuts back to Coldwell Clough to tackle the long climb up to Edale Cross, rewarded by the spectacular descent of Jacob’s Ladder. Climbing to and descending from Hollins Cross on the Great Ridge, the trail climbs back to Hope Cross, this time to descend 'Potato Alley'. A good climb to Lockerbrook leads to a fantastic downhill to Gores Farm, with a loop around Ladybower leading to one final climb to Whinstone Lee Tor and a final long, sinuous descent back to Bamford.
Tackling the best descents in the Dark Peak in one circular cycling holiday.
Hitting remote bridleways as you cross beneath Kinder Scout.
Riding high above the surrounding countryside on rocky hilltop trails.
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-DP-MBSB | A circular trail beginning at Bamford | 2 days riding | £335 |
Travel to Bamford where your first night's accommodation has been booked
Bamford to Hayfield. 25.5 miles (40.5km) / 3976 ft (1212 m) ascent
Hayfield to Bamford. 23.5 miles (37.5km) / 3740 ft (1140 m) ascent
Depart from Bamford after breakfast
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:
