The Tissington Trail Derbyshire - traffic free cycle trail.

Start: Parsley Hay, Tissington Village, Ashbourne
Distance: 13 miles
Terrain: Off road, traffic free
Bike Types: Mountain bikes, Hybrid, Road Bike
Grading : Moderate

The Tissington Trail is perfect for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. It is a 13-mile trail and is mostly flat and traffic-free, making it a must for family days out and novice cyclists. There’s plenty to see along the way as you pass through the stunning countryside of the Derbyshire Dales. Most of the route is a smooth gravel track making it possible to ride on virtually any sort of bike.

It follows the route of the former Buxton to Ashbourne railway line, and the Tissington Trail runs from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay. You’ll go through the quaint village of Tissington and the lovely countryside of the Derbyshire Dales. The trail also passes close to Dovedale, a spectacular limestone ravine with stunning scenery, famous for its stepping stones across the River Dove.

It was built as part of the London and North Western Railway, the Buxton to Ashbourne railway opened in 1899 and closed in 1967. When the track was taken away, the route was transformed into a recreational trail and opened to the public in 1971. The traffic-free trail is ideal for walkers, cyclists and horse riders and is generally flat apart from a fairly steep incline at Mappleton.

Ashbourne, the start of the route is a historic market town with over 200 listed buildings. Fine coaching inns and mellow-bricked townhouses combine to create the town’s unique atmosphere.

The Tissington Trail is joined by the High Peak Trail at Parsley Hay which is 17 miles long and makes an extensive route belonging to the National Cycle Network. The High Peak Trail runs from High Peak Junction, close to Cromford, to Dowlow, near Buxton, through lovely White Peak countryside.

It is also suitable for wheelchairs, walkers, hikers and joggers.

Close to Hartington is a beautifully restored railway signal box, now a small Information Centre which opens weekends during the summer months.

Trains: Buxton is the only possibility with generally half-hourly trains leaving from Manchester Piccadilly Station.

Car: The best way to gain access to these trails for all but the most fit. There are lots of car parks along the trail at Parsley Hay, Hartington Station, Alsop, Tissington, Thorpe Station, Mapleton Lane and Ashbourne. All are pay and display except for the small one at Thorpe. You can start start from the quieter Hurdlow car park just a bit closer to Buxton on the conjoined High Peak Trail which increases the distance of the trail to 30.9 miles.

Cycle hire: There are two Bike Hire Centres open at the time of writing serving the trail run by the Peak District National Park: one at Parsley Hay and one at Mapleton Lane 0n the outskirts of Ashbourne . Please note that Parsley Hay is not currently served by a bus service.

Public toilets can be found at Hartington and Tissington and are open 24 hours.T hose at Parsley Hay, Mapleton Lane and Ashbourne have varying hours.

Tissington Trail Route Map and GPX

Download file: tissingtontrail.gpx

Cycling shoes for comfort.

Tissington Trail Accommodation

The Walled Garden Pods, Rocester The spacious pods sleep 4 to 5 people in full sized beds and are perfect for both families and couples.

Oldfields Farm, Snelston, Ashbourne 4-star gold self-catering cottage, sleeps two people in a King-sized bed and also welcomes up to two dogs.

Beechenhill Farm, Ashbourne Three holiday cottages, one accessible for wheelchair users. Wood fired hot tub with secret cave or wood fired sauna available to book.

Hoe Grange Holidays, Matlock Situated on the edge of the Derbyshire Peak District, Hoe Grange has a range of log cabins, glamping pods and a vintage Gypsy caravan. Relax after a hard days cycling with a soak in a hot tub or sauna, Marvel in the fantastic views, and access the trail network direct from the farm fields. Secure cycle storage with power to recharge your e-bike