White Peak Loop Trail

The White Peak Loop is a 60-mile (97 km) route for walking, cycling and horse riding in the Peak District of England. The trail combines sections of the High Peak Trail and the Monsal Trail with linking sections through the towns of Buxton, Bakewell and Matlock. The White Peak Loop is being developed by Derbyshire County Council and as of 2022 some sections are not yet complete.[1]

High Peak Trail
White Peak Loop trail sign at Harpur Hill
Monsal Trail over Monsal Head Viaduct

Route

Sections clockwise from Buxton:[2][3]

  • Buxton to Chee Dale through Woo Dale – 6 miles (9.7 km), proposed on and off road unfinished
  • Monsal Trail from Chee Dale to Bakewell – 8 miles (13 km), along the former Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway line, opened in 1981
  • Bakewell to Rowsley – proposed 7-mile (11 km) offroad track, unfinished
  • Rowsley to Matlock – 5-mile (8.0 km) offroad track following the line of the former Midland railway line, with a detour into Whitworth Park, opened in 2018
  • Matlock to Cromford – 4 miles (6.4 km), road
  • High Peak Trail from Cromford to Dowlow – 17 miles (27 km), along the former Cromford and High Peak Railway line
  • From Dowlow through Earl Sterndale and along Dale Head Road – 6 miles (9.7 km), quiet lanes
  • From Dale Head Road over Staker Hill to Harpur Hill – 2 miles (3.2 km), offroad track completed in 2018
  • Harpur Hill to Buxton – 2 miles (3.2 km), road; proposed alternative 5-mile (8.0 km) traffic-free route is unfinished

Access

The High Peak Trail section links with the Tissington Trail, the Pennine Bridleway and the Midshires Way at Parsley Hay.

The White Peak Loop follows the Sustrans-sponsored National Cycle Route 54 from Cromford to Parsley Hay and National Cycle Route 68 from Parsley Hay to Buxton.

There are car parks on the High Peak Trail at Hurdlow, Parsley Hay, Friden, Minninglow, Middleton Top and Black Rocks.

There are car parks on the Monsal Trail at Bakewell, Hassop Station, Monsal Head, Tideswell Dale, Millers Dale and Wyedale.

References
  1. "White Peak Loop". Derbyshire County Council. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  2. "DCC Greenway/ Cycle Network Update" (PDF). Peak District National Park. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  3. "PROPOSED PUBLIC PATH CREATION AGREEMENTS FOR THE WHITE PEAK LOOP TRAIL" (PDF). Derbyshire County Council. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
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