Two of the best known and most popular routes in the country offering a superb challenge in the heart of the Peak District. The trails form the shape of an inverted wishbone, linking in the north at Parsley Hay. If you start here, remember it is all downhill on the way out so you will be faced with a climb on your return.

The Route:

1. Tissington Trail: Ashbourne - Tissington - Parsley Hay.

2. High Peak Trail: High Peak Junction (south of Matlock) - Middleton Top - Parsley Hay - Sparklow.

Distance:

1. Tissington Trail: 13 miles one way, 26 miles round trip.

2. High Peak Trail: 17.5 miles one way, 35 miles round trip. The flattest section runs for 12 miles between Middleton Top and Parsley Hay.

Starting Points & Parking: Parsley Hay is where the two trails meet and there is a large pay and display car park and cycle hire centre, otherwise.

1. Tissington Trail: car parsk on the B5054 east of Hartington; on the A515 near Alsop; on the minor road east of Thorpe; or Mapleton Lane in Ashbourne.

2. High Peak Trail: car parks at Friden (near the junction of the A515 and A5012); Middleton Top Visitor Centre (southwest of Matlock on the B5035 towards Ashbourne); Black Road (north of Wirksworth on the B5036); and High Peak Junction (on the A6 south of Matlock).

Surface & Hills:

1. Tissington Trail: there is a steady drop of almost 700 ft (215 mts) from Parsley Hay to Ashbourne. For this reason it is worth considering starting at Ashbourne when you are fresh, riding uphill to Parsley Hay, leaving you with a downhill on the way back.

2. High Peak trail: the top section from Sparklow through Parsley Hay to Middleton Top is fairly flat. After that it drops over 800 ft (245 mts) in little over 2 miles with some very steep sections. Ensure your brakes are in good condition.

Roads & Road Crossings: The A5012 must be crossed close to Friden on the High Peak Trail.

Other nearby trails: Carsington Water, the Monsal, Manifold and Churnett Valley Trails are all nearby.

Cycle Hire;

Parsley Hay Tel: 01298 84493

Middleton Top Tel: 01629 823204

Ashbourne Tel: 01335 343156

Map & Leaflet: OS Landranger Map 119. Peak Cycle Hire. Leaflet available from Information Group, Peak National Park Office, Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE4 1AE. Tel: 01629 814321

Nearest Railway: Matlock, Buxton or Uttoxeter.

Refreshments:

1. Tissington: Plenty of choice in Ashbourne. Soft drinks and sweets at the cycle hire / visitor centres. Pubs just off the route in Thorpe (Dog & Partridge) and Biggin (Waterloo Inn). Coffees and teas at Basset Wood Farm, Tissington,

2.High Peak: Soft drinks and sweets at the cycle hire / visitor centres. Royal Oak pub at Hurdlow (north of Parsley Hay). Pub just off the route in Middleton (Rising Sun).