The Pennine Cycleway Guide

part of the off-road section
heading up towards
Hartside on the PCW
northern section

One of the many stunning views from along the route - this is from the Tissington Trail looking westwards

Cyclists enjoying one of the traffice free sections of the route

route details

Please note that this part of the Pennine Cycleway Guide is split into three sections corresponding to the three separate maps available for the Pennine Cycleway, the route information is listed from the start point at Derby and follows the route northwards

Pennine Cycleway southern Section
- Derby to Holmfirth
The Pennine Cycleway starts in the midlands at Derby Railway Station and uses both on road and traffic free sections to leave the centre of Derby. You then join the Etwall - Mickelover Railway Path (NCN route no. 54 to Burton-on-Trent) for approx. 6 miles before heading north on quiet country lanes to the picturesque market town of Ashbourne. From Ashbourne you join the Tissington Trail via a long tunnel before cycling the 16 miles of a traffic free section which is very popular with walkers and cyclists. You use a section of the High Peak trail for a couple of miles before cycling from Sparklow on a marvelously quiet minor road for 4 miles before descending into busy town of Buxton which is a perfect place to replenish your diminishing energy levels!

Leaving Buxton via the first real climb of the route you carry on northwards on undulating country lanes and a section of gated road on the Midshire Way before passing through Whaley Bridge nestling in the Derbyshire hills. You cycle past the Bugsworth Canal Basin and leave the open countryside for a while as you pass through New Mills and a steep descent into Charlesworth. With Glossop on your right you have a one mile stretch of traffic free cycling then its on road before joining the Longdendale Trail and a glorious six mile section of traffic free cycling along side a chain of reservoirs and moorland to the Woodhead Tunnel - stand in front of the opening and feel the cold draught escaping! From the tunnel it is a short sharp pull up onto Pikenaze Moor and an up and down ride for a couple more miles of traffic free cycling before a short pull up to Winscar Reservoir and the glorious long descent into Holmfirth and the end of the Pennine Cycleway southern section.

Pennine Cycleway middle Section
- Holmfirth to Appleby
The central section of the Pennine Cycleway begins with a long steep climb away from Holmfirth and for me the next 20 or so miles is the hardest section of the whole route. The hills are straight up then straight down (or so it seemed!) and lots of you will end up walking your bike up some of the steeper ones. Don't let this put you off though as the views are absolutely glorious and it is the PENNINE Cycleway after all (thanks for reminding me David!)

After the steep climb out of 'Last of the Summer Wine' country at Holmfirth there is a fast descent into Meltham (watch out for the hairpin bends at the bottom) from where quiet roads lead you past Blackmoorfoot Reservoir before a big long climb out of Slaithwaite. From here it is a generally downhill cycle which includes a couple of miles of traffic free section with a short stretch along side Scammonden Water (you will notice in these parts a reservoir everywhere you look!) before the long descent into Sowerby Bridge. Minor roads then lead you to Hebden Bridge and a choice of route:
a: head east over the moor to Burnley where a 7 mile stretch of (flat!) canal towpath awaits you
or
b: take the ultra scenic (and shorter) route over Widdope Moor to just out of Colne where the routes rejoin.

From Colne you have 5 more miles of flat canal towpath and then a mildly undulating and absolutely gloriously scenic section on minor roads through Gargrave and into the Yorkshire Dales. Cycling on wonderfully quiet roads through Airton you then face a long climb up onto the moors above Settle before dropping down steeply into this historic market town. Upon leaving Settle a traffic free section (can be a bit rough and busy at times) awaits at Clapham before arriving at Ingleton and then the ascent through Kingsdale and a steep descent into the village of Dent. A very undulating route on minor roads then takes you through Sedbergh and the base of the Howgills before crossing twice under the M6 over open moorland into the isolated village of Orton from where a long but slight uphill beckons you on before dropping down to past green fields and the end of the Pennine Cycleway central section at the historic market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland

Pennine Cycleway northern Section
- Appleby to Berwick-upon-Tweed
The picturesque and historic market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland is the main starting point for the Pennine Cycleway north although there is an alternative start at Penrith. From Appleby the route meanders along quiet country lanes through the glorious scenery of the Eden Valley with the bulk of the Pennines on your right, a constant reminder of the nearing long ascent of Hartside where fantastic views await you - on a clear day! Once Hartside is over you are rewarded with a long downhill freewheel to Leadgate and then on to Alston - England's highest market town. From here the route follows the River South Tyne - on road but with a couple of stretches of converted railway line as well - into Haltwhistle and then begins the ascent to Hadrian's Wall country and a long isolated section of 20 miles or so through Wark Forest before descending into Bellingham. From here the route travels to Elsdon and the Northumberland National park cycling on quiet, country roads to Alwinton and the base of the Cheviot Hills.

The route out of Alwinton uses a short section of rough track (there is an on-road alternative to follow) before joining the roads again to Alnham, Whittingham and Glanton and the National park Centre at Ingram. A short stretch of rough track awaits you a few miles out of Ingram and then a couple of miles of on-road riding brings you to Wooler. Heading out of Wooler on a short stretch of main road - take care this section can be busy - you travel through scenic, agricultural landscapes passing some reminders of the turbulent history of this border area in the forms of fortified houses or castles such as those found at Ford, Etal and Norham. From Norham, you use the Coast and Castles cycle route (NCN 1) for the final few miles of your trip including a brief foray into Scotland over the River Tweed before ending your journey at Berwick-upon-Tweed - an ideal place to rest a while and celebrate your achievement and maybe even rest those weary legs.