Hathersage – Gliding Club – Castleton – Aston – Thornhill – New Road – Hathersage
This Pedal Stop cycle route involves lots of climbing, but with the reward of some spectacular views to compensate. The starting point is the road junction outside Hathersage station. Turn left, under the railway bridge, down the hill. Cross the river and past the Plough on your left. On turning right after the Plough pub up Leadmill (sign post "Gliding Club") the climb is long and in parts severe up to Abney, but with a few more level areas. Once above Abney and out of the forested areas you are on high and open ground often subject to a strong headwind until well past the gliding club.
At the top there is a chance to get your breath back and admire the view of the valley (Abney Clough) you have just climbed from and maybe the gliders taking off and landing. You then have a descent, with a sharp right turn at the junction, into Great Hucklow. Across the main road (careful as there is a blind bend to your left!) onto Little Hucklow, the road levels out. Turn right at the junction and you have plenty of time to view the Hope Valley to your right. Although not steep the road around the quarry can be a grind as you are usually subjected to a headwind. Once topside of the quarry you Need to negotiate with care the very steep and fast descent with a sharp left-hand bend part way down, off Siggate onto Pindale road , the bottom of which contains plenty of gravel.
There are several cafés in Castleton as well as a number of pubs which serve food.There is also a shop at the bottom of Pindale road and one opposite the bus terminus if it is just a drink and a bar you are after.Public toilets can be found at the bus terminus.
Hope also has cafés and shops on the main road. Public toilets can be found on the left, opposite the garage.
rom Castleton to Hope is very steady for a couple miles, though sometimes has quite a lot of fast traffic. If you wish to avoid anymore climbs just continue on this main road right through to Hathersage. There is a bike lane from shortly after Hope most of the way there. If you are more adventurous, the climbing starts again when you turn left after Hope onto Aston Lane onto Thornhill. These roads are quiet but narrow and sometimes muddy, and often frequented by tractors and horses. Turning left at the junction onto Carr Lane to begin a nice descent to the river and across the bridge. On the bridge look left to see what we call 'the hump back whale'.
You are now at the bottom of Lydgate Lane, this is a very steep straight climb to the main road. (If you have had enough of climbing here is a good point to turn right and continue through Bamford turning left at the lights opposite the former Marquis of Granby and head back to Hathersage).
If you are ready for more efforts and views, turn left then first right to climb New Road up over Bamford Moor. This is very steep, especially the first half mile or so and quite long, but the reward is an incredible view of the valley . Turn left at the junction after steep descent, left at the next turning, then right after passing the car park for Stanage Edge, for a long fast descent into Hathersage passing the last resting-place of Little John.
After completing all that climbing you now deserve some refreshments. I would highly recommend Pool Café in Hathersage on Oddfellows Road - or for something stronger, the Scotsman's Pack, on your left as you come into Hathersage.
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