Gradbach, Peak District

This Mountain Bike route includes some demanding climbs and fast rocky descents so is only recommended for experienced mountain bikers. Please be warned, some sections of the trails are covered with loose, large rocks, so only attempt this route if you are comfortable riding this kind of terrain.… read more

image/svg+xml Distance:

16½

miles
Riding Time:

3-4

hrs
Total Ascent:

2400

ft
Difficulty:

7.5

Route Guide

The route was taken from the book – White Peak Mountain Biking: The Pure Trails (click to check current price on Amazon) Please consider purchasing the digital version of the book (Kindle device not required), as it provides zoomable Ordnance Survey maps.

There is free parking at Clough House Car Park which is well sign-posted and relatively easy to find. As you start the route and leave the Car Park there is an immediate steep road climb. After about ¼ mile the road begins to level out but then kicks up again for another few hundred metres. You then turn right onto the A54 and enjoy a fast descent for about 500 metres with great views across the surrounding countryside.

You then take a sharp left off the road onto a narrow lane which climbs up quite steeply and then splits off into two different trails. The route takes the trail on the left which is very loose and rocky. I had to walk the bike up the start of the trail, but as you reach the first bend in the track the surface becomes much more rideable.

As you continue on the bridleway there is an excellent rocky descent down to a minor road. The route continues on road for about 1½ miles as you descend down the valley and take a sharp right onto Gradbach Mill Lane. You then join another bridleway and go through some woodland where the trail descends and crosses over a brook. The brook can be ridden across but watch out for the looser rocks half-way across.

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