From Hartington market place take the Heathcote road which goes past the Youth Hostel.
Ignore the NCN route 54 sign opposite the Youth Hostel and a further 100 metres along the road
follow the second NCN route 54 sign which directs you to Biggin.
At Biggin turn right and then follow the road round to the left
and cycle past the pub and church and through the village, climbing until you reach the former railway line
which is now the Tissington Trail.
Join the Trail, turning right to head South towards Ashbourne. The Trail provides enjoyable but uneventful cycling
with fine views. Follow it through Tissington (excellent tea shop) and across the bridge over the A515 at Fenny Bentley
to Thorpe Station.
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 On the Tissington Trail |
 Ilam Church |
Leave the Trail at Thorpe Station and turn left out of the car park, heading in the direction of Thorpe
village, following the road right, around the public house. This road can be quite busy at weekends, so beware of traffic.
Follow the road through Thorpe village, down the steep hill across Thorpe Pastures and cross the River Dove to reach Ilam.
This is a pretty little village with an interesting church and a good tea shop at Ilam Hall.
Head through the village and turn left along the minor road which is signposted to Throwley.
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This single track road crosses the River Manifold (which is often completely dry here in summer) and
climbs steadily and quite steeply up the side of the valley. The views are magnificent, but it's quite hard work!
Here you have a choice of routes. The quickest and simplest way is to take the footpath through the farmyard
exiting left across the field. This then goes through a stile, skirts left around some trees and then drops quite steeply
back down towards the Manifold Valley to join a rough farm track which leads down to Beeston Tor Farm.
Continue along the farm track to reach the Manifold Trail at Weags Bridge.
The problem is that part of this is technically a footpath, not a bridle path, so you
really ought to push the bike for a while - though it's hard to see the objection to cycling as much of it
is driveable.
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 The ruins of Throwley Old Hall
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On the Manifold Trail
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The alternative is to keep cycling along the road through Throwley Hall Farm (up another steep hill), and across Throwley Moor
to reach the village of Calton. Turn right here to reach the A523 Leek to Ashbourne road.
You only need to follow the main road for about 400 metres before turning right again down the Manifold and Hamps Trail
which can be followed down the Hamps Valley to meet up with option 1 at Weags Bridge.
Follow the Manifold Trail uneventfully but in spectacular surroundings up to Hulme End, where you turn right
onto the B5054 which leads across the River Manifold (and past an attractive pub) back to Hartington.
As a final variation, you could follow the NCN route 54 which takes a more attractive but more circuitous route back
to Hartington.
Click Here for a route map
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