E-BIKE HIRE AVAILABLE

This tour is well-suited to both regular bikes and pedal assist e-bikes, and you can choose to hire either when you book your tour with us. Confident cyclists will enjoy the boost from a battery for those cheeky climbs, and with less effort required on the bike, you’ll have more energy at the end of the day for off-the-bike activities. You may choose to hire an e-bike on a group or supported tour but bear in mind that the pace will be set to riders without an e-bike.

United Kingdom

Derbyshire Dales - Dovedale

Guided Leisure Cycling Holiday

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

5 days

Prices from

£1,125 P.P.
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With breath-taking views of hills and moorland, intriguing rock formations, and easy access by road and rail, the Peak District is the perfect destination for a cycling holiday; a place that will refresh, relax and challenge you.
Over three rides you will have the opportunity to discover the beauty and history of this charming area, balanced out by relaxing evenings at your accommodation. You will be staying at The Peveril of the Peak, a comfortable country house with a lovely garden, perfect for relaxing with a well-earned pint of local ale.
Old railway lines converted to cycle paths generally make this hilly area a great place to explore by bike. We are treated to a few climbs throughout the week however, so you may want to consider hiring one of our E-bikes for those who'd like a little boost up those cheeky hills! 
You can enjoy traffic-free cycling and scenic views from the Tissington Trail and the High Peak Trail, passing through the limestone countryside of the White Peak.
Explore the railways' past life at the old wharfs, engine houses and workshops along the way.
We also follow the Manifold Way, once a narrow gauge railway that takes us through a deep cut limestone valley, with steep wooded slopes and caves aplenty. Elsewhere we'll use quiet country roads with some steeper, rewarding climbs. 
Cyclist on the Tissington Trail in the Peak District National Park
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Holiday Highlights

  • Stay at Peveril of the Peak, a comfortable HF Country House in the Peak District National Park
  • Relax in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales
  • Flit across the famous stepping stones at scenic Dovedale
  • Follow the Tissington, Manifold and High Peak Trails — miles of peaceful off-road cycling
  • Explore the area using the very railroads that shaped it
  • Cycling through the impressive Manifold valley

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Thorpe

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  • Meals: Dinner

Today is set aside to allow you to arrive in Thorpe at your convenience. You will meet your leader and the rest of the group, and enjoy a leisurely evening meal at Peveril of the Peak.

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Day 2 Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail

30 Miles / 48 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 515 Metres Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Ascent: 515 Metres Approx.

The Tissington and High Peak Trails are old railway routes that offer miles of traffic-free cycling and form the basis of today’s ride. We start out along the road, meandering through the Derbyshire countryside to the village of Brassington. Here we join the High Peak Trail and head north-west to Parsley Hay and the junction with the Tissington Trail.

Finally, we’ll head south on the Tissington Trail back to Peveril of the Peak.

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Day 3 Manifold Valley

25 Miles / 41 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 685 Metres Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Ascent: 685 Metres Approx.

This circular ride from Peveril of the Peak takes us through classic limestone country, most notably the impressive Manifold Valley. We’ll start with a hilly outward route, through the villages of Ilam and Wetton to the hamlet of Hulme End. Here we’ll join the Manifold Trail which traces the old narrow gauge Leek and Manifold Railway through the valley.

We follow this delightful traffic-free route beside the Manifold and Hamps rivers to Waterhouses, from where we return to our accommodation via the ruins of the medieval Throwley Hall.

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Day 4 Carsington Water & Wirksworth

26 Miles / 42 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 665 Metres Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Ascent: 665 Metres Approx.

Today we’ll ride out to the scenic reservoir Carsington Water, a popular spot for cycling, sailing and birdwatching. We’ll ride past several wildlife viewing points dotting its shore for a chance to spot a little owl or oystercatcher.

Onwards we go to visit the quirky market town of Wirksworth, a town with an interesting history steeped in lead mining, stone quarrying and textiles. These aspects and more can be explored at the Wirksworth Heritage Centre, a new museum bringing to life the town’s fascinating past including displays highlighting the Woolly Rhino bones found by lead miners down the local “Dream Cave” in 1822, and the lives of local figures such as D.H. Lawrence.

We return via Carsington Water where we can enjoy a scenic picnic before returning to the country house for afternoon tea.

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Day 5 Departure Thorpe

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  • Meals: Breakfast

Today we’ll have a leisurely breakfast together, and with plenty of miles in our legs and memories made, you’ll set off on your onward journeys home.

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Understanding Profiles

Use these profiles to see:

  • Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
  • Ascent / Descent in metres (vertical axis)

Click 'see gradient' to see:

  • Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
  • % Gradient (vertical axis)

White vertical lines indicate unpaved sections or slightly rougher terrain.

Please check the scales on both graphs, and both axes as they both may differ from day to day.

GPS units and navigation softwares produce different statistical information based on a number of different factors, so please keep in mind the information we’re providing here is meant to be an indicative guide only.

Gradients in particular can be difficult to measure consistently, and sometimes steepness shown can vary as much as 5-10% from what’s signposted on the ground.

Using both graphs, alongside the grading and terrain information provided, should however give you a good idea of how flat, bumpy or steep the climbing on your particular tour is going to be.

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Still Thinking It Over?

Register your interest and we'll keep you up-to-date on departures, availability, accommodation and all the amazing experiences we have in store on this trip.

The Cycling

Terrain

The White Peak area is hilly, but the majority of the gradients you will be cycling on are reasonably gentle. We will be using a mixture of traffic-free cycle paths and bridleways, as well as quiet country lanes, with some relatively short sections of steep ascent and descent, meaning the ride is most suitable for Hybrid bikes.

We also have e-bikes available, so there’s always the option of a cheeky boost if you need it! Please note that if opting for an e-bike, the pace of the riding will be set by the hybrid riders. If you are interested in riding an electric bike on this holiday please click here for more information.

Male cycling in the scenic Dovedale of the Peak District, UK

Leisure Cycling Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 2-3: Gentle/Moderate

Aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays

Suitable for those looking for some cycle friendly routes

Features some modest climbs

Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc).

Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!

For more information about our grading system click here.

Is this suitable for you?

Holidays that are graded as a 2-3, will have aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays. These tours are still suitable for those perhaps who have recently got into cycling, and offer an array of accessible, cycle friendly routes, cycle paths and quiet roads, however there will be some days / sections where you may have to tackle some ups and downs, the occasional steeper climb and perhaps some varying terrain (forest tracks, gravel paths etc). Suitable for those with a decent level of physical fitness, looking for some leisurely rides with occasional (achievable!) challenges along the way.

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.

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Dates & Prices

Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit

Book now with a £300 deposit and nothing more to pay until 30 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.

Select a date to view prices and book
To see the prices for any optional extras, including bike hire, select your date below.
Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
07/09/2026 Fully Booked
Return Date
11/09/2026
Duration
5 days
Price
£1,125.00
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The Essentials

Travel Options

Your destination is Peveril of the Peak in Thorpe. If you intend to drive we will provide directions. Parking is available at the accommodation where vehicles can be left at the owners risk.

If you prefer to travel by train, the most convenient station is Derby. Group train station transfers are included in the holiday price and there will be a Skedaddle transfer at 16.30 from Derby train station to Thorpe.

On the departure day, there will be a Skedaddle transfer from Thorpe to Derby train station at 09.30. Please do not book any return trains from Derby prior to 11.00.

Please check with us before making any travel arrangements to make sure we have reached the minimum number required to guarantee your holiday and to ensure your arrangements fit with our scheduled transfers and logistics.

Please note If you make alternative travel arrangements, which fall outside of the planned train station transfers, there may be an additional charge for individual transfers.

If you are travelling to the UK from overseas and are not a British or Irish national, you will need to apply for either an ETA or a visa depending on your nationality. Please check the relevant state department or foreign office guidance for your country or you can find more information here

Contact us for full details on the travel options on this trip

Accommodation

On this holiday, you will be based at an HF Country House. HF Holidays run a number of Country Houses around the UK, which are all within National Parks or National Landscapes, and which offer the perfect comfortable environment to return to after a day out on two wheels.

HF’s Country House in the Derbyshire Dales, The Peveril of the Peak, occupies a wonderful position in the village of Thorpe, less than a mile from the famous stepping stones at the entrance to the Dove Dale gorge. Named after the novel by Sir Walter Scott, it offers excellent facilities in a beautiful setting.

On the ground floor there is a large reception area and lounge, a newly refurbished dining room and a bar.

The Peveril of the Peak has large grounds with an attractive patio and garden, perfect for relaxing in with a post-ride tipple!

Contact us for full details on the accommodation for this trip

Bike Hire

If you would like to rent a bike we have hybrid and electric bikes available.

The hybrid bikes are generally Giant Roam (male frame) or Liv Rove (female frame) with flat bars and semi-slick tyres. They are set up with a rear rack, two panniers and at least one bottle cage.

The electric bikes are generally Giant E+ pedal assist bikes with flat bars, step through frames, semi-slick tyres, and batteries suitable for the daily distance on this holiday. They are set up with a rear rack and two panniers and they will either have a bottle cage or you will be able to store a water bottle in the pannier bag.

All of our hire bikes have a wide range of gears, hydraulic disc brakes and offer a comfortable riding position. All bikes have inner tubes and come equipped with a small seat-post bag containing a puncture repair kit, a multitool and a spare tube, as well as a bike pump. Please note, given the variety of shapes and sizes of on-bike luggage and the fact the mechanisms for fitting them vary, we aren’t able to safely accommodate customers’ own frame bags or on-bike luggage on our hire bikes.

We are also able to provide helmets. If you’d like one, please request this at the time of booking. You are welcome to bring along your own saddle and / or own pedals if renting a hybrid bike, but please let us know in advance if you plan to do so. Please note, all our hire bikes come with flat pedals as standard.

If you are planning to bring your own bike, please let us know the make and model and we can check its suitability.

Contact us for full details on the bikes available for hire on this trip

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What's Included Tick

A) Shared twin (or double) room (single room may be available on request, for a supplement)

B) Full tour service including guides and a back-up vehicle carrying spares, snacks and extra equipment not needed on your bike

C) At least one leader qualified in First Aid

D) Full-board including picnic lunch and en route refreshments

E) GPX files

F) Secure bike storage and bike wash facilities

G) Group train station collections / drop-offs on scheduled arrival and departure days

H) Financial Protection through ABTOT

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike and helmet rental (available if required)

B) Travel or flight costs or charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)

C) Meals not stated in the itinerary

D) Single room (available if required)

E) Travel insurance

F) Personal clothing and equipment

G) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)

H) Entrance fees to cultural or historical sites and visitor centres

I) Other optional activities

J) Tips for guides, drivers, support staff

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Private Departures

Private Departures

Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.

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