White and dark

Jonathan Manning explores both sides of the Peak District on a beautiful ride from Chatsworth Park Club Campsite

Fans of the Peak District National Park will know its two distinct sides, the limestone of the White Peak, and the gritstone of the Dark Peak. Each has its charms and one of the trump cards of cycling is the option to visit both in one outing.

This ride sets off from Chatsworth Park Club Campsite, within walking distance of the famous stately home, yet in less than a mile it has escaped the tourist hubbub and headed into the most beautiful landscape.

The White Peak comes first. Its maze of dry stone walls dividing grazing pastures punctuated with field barns is light and airy, with far-reaching views across the steep hillsides.

There’s a reason the national park is called the Peak District, as your legs and lungs will remind you on the climbs. One such challenging ascent rewards with the panorama from Longstone Edge, which is particularly spectacular, and worth the effort prior to a thrilling descent.

Midway, the route passes through Eyam, pronounced ‘eem’, known as the ‘plague village’, following an outbreak of the Black Death in 1665-1666, when its residents decided to isolate themselves to protect neighbouring communities. A small museum tells the story, alongside a wider history of the village.

The second half of the ride, which begins with a brake-testing descent to Grindleford, delivers the first glimpses of the brooding Dark Peak, with its moorland and cliff edges. There’s an even closer view of these dramatic features once the route has crossed the River Derwent, as it passes below Froggatt Edge and Curbar Edge, before finally sweeping back to the Club campsite.

Directions

1. From Chatsworth Park Club Site, follow the 1km access road to the A619. Turn left along the road and left at the roundabout, signposted to Bakewell. Cross the River Derwent then take the next right, signposted to Bubnell. Turn left almost immediately along Wheatlands Lane and continue to a T-junction.

2. 5.5km – Turn left at the T-junction, pass the Old Eyre Arms on the right, then in 100m take the next right, signposted to Great Longstone. Follow this road to reach a T-junction in Great Longstone.

3. 7.2km – Turn right at the junction, passing the White Lion and The Crispin pubs. After The Crispin, take a right turn to Longstone Edge. It’s a long ascent, followed by a fast descent to a T-junction.

4. 11.8km – Turn right at the junction, and continue to a T-junction with the A623.

5. 12.9km – Turn right along the A623 to Chesterfield and Stoney Middleton, then in 250m take the first left to Foolow. Turn left at the next T-junction to ride into Foolow, and continue to a T-junction opposite the Bulls Head Inn.

6. 14km – Turn right and continue into Eyam. Turn left before Eyam Country Store, following signs to the museum and youth hostel. Get set for another climb followed by a descent to a T-junction opposite the Sir William Hotel.

7. 20.7km – Turn right at the junction, then right along the B6001 to Bakewell. Continue for almost 2km, then take the left turn to Froggatt (by Stoke Toll House). Cross the River Derwent to reach a T-junction.

8. 23.2km – Turn right at the junction, signposted to Sheffield, with the river on the right. Go straight across the first crossroads into Curbar, then straight over the next crossroads, descending past Cliff College to reach the A623. Turn left, and in 450m at the national speed limit sign, turn left along Over Lane. Continue to a T-junction in Baslow, then turn left and follow the road as it bends to the right before descending to the A619. Turn right, and the turn for the Club site is 400m on the left.

You can download this route from our dedicated Strava page here.

About the route

• Start/finish: Chatsworth Park Club Campsite, Chatsworth Park, Baslow, Bakewell DE45 1PN.
• Distance: 18m/29km.
• Time: 2.5hrs.
• Level: Suitable for fitter cyclists and e-bikers due to long, steep climbs.
• Terrain: Asphalt all the way.
• Landscape: Stunning countryside.
• Refreshments: Pubs/cafés at Hassop, Great Longstone, Eyam, Grindleford.

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The Caravan and Motorhome Club make no warranties concerning the accuracy or completeness of the routes published, which to the best of our knowledge were correct at the time of publication. Your use of the routes is at your own risk and we accept no responsibility for the suitability or safety of any routes published. Routes may be out of date or affected by changes to the physical environment and, to the extent permitted by law, we accept no responsibility for personal injury or property damage caused by your use of the routes.