Peak perfection

Jonathan Manning discovers the treasures of Chatsworth on this visually-stunning, yet physically-challenging, ride

Every ride has its notional spreadsheet columns of plus and minus points, and the positives of this route seem endless: spectacular views over farmland and moorland, the shade of dense silver birch forest, and the beautiful River Derwent. Add in quiet roads and several lovely places to stop for coffee and cake, and the route is onto a winner before it even plays its trump card – Chatsworth House. This magnificent stately home is the centrepiece of the ride, a Peak District destination that draws visitors from around the world. Cycle there and you can skip past any traffic queues and avoid the £10 car parking fee.

Given all of these benefits, is there anything to write in the debit column of this out-andback route? Well, just one minor thing to mention… the exhilarating, white-knuckle descent into Rowsley, with its unmistakable whiff of car brakes and clutches (reminiscent of the longest climbs in the Alps), is waiting early on the return leg. If you stop for a cuppa, beware overdoing the cake in Beeley or Rowsley, because the 20% climb goes on for close to a mile, and feels much longer. There used to be a gentler road to and from Beeley, but the county council closed it, following a serious landslip in the winter of 2021/22.

On balance, the plusses still far outweigh the single minus of this ride, but its one punishing ascent restricts its accessibility to fitter riders and cyclists with fully-charged e-bikes.

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

Directions

1. Turn right out of the gates of Lickpenny Matlock Club Campsite and in 50m go straight over the crossroads, crossing the B6014. Continue to a T-junction with the A632.

2. 3.5km – Turn left at the junction, signposted to Matlock, then turn right immediately to Darley Dale and Beeley, along Wirestone Lane. Continue for 3.5km to reach a crossroads with the B5057.

3. 7.2km – Go straight over the crossroads, signposted to Beeley, and continue for just over 1km to reach an awkward junction.

4. 8.5km – Take the first left at the junction, along Chesterfield Road (barred to vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes). Check your brakes. Stay on this road as it eventually descends steeply to Rowsley, where it reaches a T-junction.

5. 13.3km – Turn right at the junction and stay on the relatively busy B6012, passing through Beeley, where The Old Smithy café and The Beeley Inn are both good places to stop, and continue to reach Chatsworth House on the right.

6. 18.5km – After visiting Chatsworth, retrace your route through Beeley and back to Rowsley.

7. 23.6km – In Rowsley, take the first left turn just before the Peak Village shopping outlet appears on the other side of the road. This is where the 20% climb starts. Continue to a T-junction.

8. 28.5km – Turn right and then immediately right at the junction, signposted to Darley Dale and Matlock. Continue to reach a crossroads.

9. 29.7km – Go straight over the crossroads, signposted to Kelstedge and Matlock. Continue to reach a T-junction.

10. 33.4km – Turn left at the junction to Chesterfield, then immediately turn right to Woolley, Brackenfield and Wessington. Continue to reach a crossroads, with the Club site diagonally opposite.

About the route

• Start/finish: Lickpenny Matlock Club Campsite, Lickpenny Lane, Tansley, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 5PW.
• Distance: 23m/37km.
• Time: 2.5 hours.
• Level: Suitable for fit riders and e-bikers (the 20% ascent is very tough).
• Terrain: Asphalt all the way.
• Landscape: Grazing pasture, heather moorland and woodland.
• Refreshments: Peak Village, Rowsley; The Old Smithy café and The Beeley Inn, Beeley; Chatsworth.

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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.