Award Winning Self Catering Holidays In the Derbyshire Peak District
Browse through our blog posts to find out what life is like at Hoe Grange Holidays along with some great ideas for days out in the Peak District.
What better way to explore the Peak District than by bicycle?
There are new peak district cycle routes for all abilities, from the easy-going gentle gradients along the trails following the old railway routes, to steep challenging off-road tracks for the more energetic and adventurous. You can cycle the quiet back roads passing through picturesque villages and trundle up the rolling hills and zoom down the delightful dales.
Although you may whizz down the hills at speed, pedalling along on your bicycle is the best way to take in the breath-taking views of the Derbyshire countryside.
As you cycle along take time to delight in the wildflowers along the verges and spot the wonderful wildlife, from hares streaking across the fields, to birds of prey circling the skies. Farming is also very much in evidence across the Peak District and you will see lambs gambolling in the meadows, highland cattle munching on the moors, scurrying hares and maybe the odd deer in the distance.
The Pedal Peak Project has published an exciting new range of route maps for all abilities. Why not download the peak district cycle routes so you can plan your days out before you arrive on holiday?
There are four cycling guides:
David and I have been making the most of the glorious May weather and have had fun creating a lovely circular cycle route which takes in cafes, a castle and Arbor Low stone circle, which is larger than Stonehenge!
Our "Carefree days, cycles, cafes and castles" route is approx. 28 miles long using minor roads and trails. That sounds like a long way to me, but I made it with comparative ease. Although not a regular cyclist I coped well with the few short steep hills, and it was an exhilarating day out.
Do follow our route map the same way round though as going the opposite way involves steeper uphill stretches! Start by cycling up to Parsley Hay along the High Peak Trail, then to Pilsbury, down to Hartington, to Arbor Low and back along the High Peak Trail.
The Peak District also has a wealth of fabulous food stops including artisan ice creams parlours, tea shops and cosy cafes, cheese shops. real ales and pub grub. There is a wonderful choice in Hartington Village to keep hunger at bay!
If you have your own bikes you can safely store them in our new secure cycle shed, where there is also a small workbench and wash down hose.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a bicycle, we can loan you one of our mountain bikes. Guests who haven’t been out cycling for many years find the High Peak Trail which is accessible from the farm fields and has a shallow gradient, a good place to start. The added bonus is that the views over the White Peak limestone landscape are stunning!
There are lots of ways to hire bikes in the area as well, basic E-bikes and normal bikes can be rented from the local cycle hire centres at Ashbourne, Parsley Hay and Middleton Top.
You don’t have to be super fit to ride off-road trails. Our friends at MTB&B will rent you an up to date E-mountain bike that takes the strain out of even the steepest hills.
They deliver direct to your log-cabin or glamping pod here at Hoe Grange Holidays and even do a great value family package too.
We hope we have inspired you to take to your bicycle and explore all the Peak District has to offer! There is more information on our cycling page.
Felicity
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