Traffic free cycling in Derbyshire and the Peak District
If you don’t have a bike or have not brought your bike with you, there are a number of cycle hire centres. Some are run by the local authority but there are some independent hire shops too.
The Peak District can be quite busy at key holiday times. This is particularly true when the weather is warm and sunny! The honeypot sites are usually heaving. The amount of traffic can be particularly off-putting, especially if you have a young family or are not regular cyclists in traffic.
You can, however, find many miles of traffic-free cycling in the region. There are a number of abandoned railway lines that have been converted into walking and cycling trails.
- Tissington Trail
- High Peak Trail
- Monsal Trail
- Sett Valley Trail
- Manifold Track
Ladybower, Derwent and Howden dams and reservoirs in the Dark Peak are not quite traffic free but offer very quiet cycling. The reservoir western access road beyond Fairholmes has only local traffic and the shuttle bus. This does not go all the way round. The eastern side of the reservoirs has a mix of tracks and a section of tarmacked (is that how you spell it??) access road. You are more likely to encounter walkers rather than motor vehicles.
To the south of the Peak District there is Carsington reservoir – this has a section of traffic free cycling on both sides but you do need to use the roads to complete a full circuit.
For Peak District mountain bike routes see our mtb page.
Cycle Hire Centres
The following information applies ONLY to The National Park and County Council run centres.
Opening days vary from cycle hire centre to centre so it is best to ring them before your visit. Opening times are from 9.30 am to 6 pm (or dusk if that comes earlier).
All cycle hire centres recommend that you arrive early and telephone in advance in order to avoid disappointment. Bookings for group bike hire needs to be done in advance. The ‘official’ centres used to offer a discount except July, August, Sundays and bank holidays. We are not sure if they still do.
Bikes are replaced every year and ex-hire bike sales take place throughout the year. Some centres have special sales at the end of the season.
Helmet loan is often free, subject to stock availability.
Some centres have some bikes that are suitable for use by people with disabilities and a few have ‘Wheels for all’ hand cranked tricycles, mobility scooters and electric assisted bikes available.
You will probably need to pay a deposit and provide proof of identity such as driving license or a credit card.
Trails are busy at certain times and cyclists are asked to show consideration for other users by slowing down if necessary. The Peak Park Authority suggests that you ring your bell or shout ‘bike’. But be aware that not all walkers are sympathetic to cyclists – we have had abuse for sounding our bells and for ‘sneaking up’ on them. I guess you just can’t win!
If you are not sure of which area of the Peak District to head for click here for an outline map of the Peak District. Click on the appropriate area and you can find out more about the character of each quarter of the Peak District.
- Ashbourne (Tissington Trail)
- Derwent Reservoir Dam (Ladybower Reservoir)
- Hayfield (Sett Valley Trail) – the cycle hire centre here has now been closed, we have included it for information just in case you are trying to find out about it.
- Middleton Top (High Peak Trail)
- Parsley Hay (High Peak and Tissington Trails)
- Waterhouses (Manifold Way)
There are also the independents such as Blackwell Mill bike hire near Buxton and Hassop Station near Bakewell (Monsal Trail) Brown End Farm at Waterhouses (Manifold Track) who have a sign outside on the main road, so just go to Waterhouses and you should find it easily!
Cycle hire in the Manchester and Cheshire area
The following offer cycle hire in the Manchester, Cheshire and NW Peak District. They are independent companies and are not part of the Peak District National Park bike hire services. Double check that they are still trading before shooting off to hire a bike!
Mountain Bike Experience
Hire and Guided Rides in the Peak District. 6 New Cottages, Buxton. Tel: 01298 71674.
Macclesfield Mountain Biking
Guided rides, Basic trail skills & Trail maintenance courses. Macc Forest & the Peak District. Darren ‘Yogi’ Allgood 07954 336986
Mode Off Road
Contact : Graham Bowden 2 Alma Road, Tideswell, Near Buxton. Tel: 01298 871450.
Byways Bike Breaks
9 Weardale Road, Liverpool L15 5AU. Tel: 0151 7340058.
Independent cycling holidays in Cheshire, luggage portering service.
South Cheshire Cycle Hire
Farndon, near Chester. Tel: 01829 271242.
Davies Bros Cycle Hire Ltd
6 Cuppin Street, Chester. Tel: 01244 319204.
Horwich Mountain Bike Hire
Lever Park, Horwich.
Carrying Bikes on trains
There are usually only a couple of places available so it isn’t really a particularly useful service but luckily, albeit worse for the environment, most people holidaying in the Peak District carry their bikes in their cars. Good news I guess for people without cars as it does at least give you a chance of grabbing one of the few bike places on a train. You need to contact the train operator to book in advance or alternatively, contact the stations as they can often arrange the booking for you. In the Greater Manchester and Mersey rail areas, bikes go free (ring 0151 2367676 (Liverpool) or 0161 2287811 (Manchester). For travelling on main line trains, there is generally a nominal charge.
Disclaimer – The information on these pages is believed to be correct and is given in good faith. It may have changed since our research. Use of the information is at your risk, we cannot accept any liability for any problems or incidents arising. Any maps are generally based on the post codes of the centres. We recommend that you confirm the location and other details before travelling. We do not endorse the services of any of the above cycle hire companies or centres and can accept no responsibility for the quality of bike or service as that is completely out of our hands. The details are for information only. You should assure yourself of the quality of service for yourself.
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Peak District, Derbyshire Cycle Hire
Bike rental centres in the Peak District of Derbyshire
Not got a bike, hire one from one of the many Peak District Bike hire centres.