Redmires Reservoir
Bamford
Shatton
Abney
& Back Challenging trail around
the Hope Valley, Mainly on rough tracks, Some very steep sections. Distance: About 19. 2
miles / 31 km.Bicyclemania Suggest starting from Redmires Reservoir road end:
At the end of the Reservoir
road T.R. and climb on loose track. Climb steadily alongside the
conifer plantation on your right & STR-ON through a gate. At Stanedge Pole bear off to R.
follow the track along & drop beneath Stanedge Edge. (Very technical in places, you
may have to dis-mount) After a rocky section the track
improves until it emerges at the car park. T.R. onto the road out of North
Lees car park and then take the first R.T. and climb steeply. (Road heads across the
hillside with views over wooded Hurst Clough below you) After a dip and a climb the road
starts to head downhill. Take the first L.T. onto an
unsigned track. (Easy to miss) The track drops very steeply
downhill to a road in Bamford. (Caution so easy to lose it on
this section, Fatwhippet did ...arse rash !) T.L. to crossroads at the edge of
Bamford. At crossroads T.L. onto Joan Lane
and head to village centre and the pubs. Climb up Joan Lane and T.R.
opposite track and by sandstone gatepost on your L. Descend down by the golf course
on your L. to the main road ( A-6013 ) and T.L. Ride over the railway bridge and
take the first R.T. (By Mytham Bridge Toll Gate
remains) Cross over main road & GO-STR-ON
down a lane towards a foot bridge & the main road. Dismount and wheel over the
pedestrian bridge. (You know you should
................ We don't) Ride to the High Peaks Garden
Centre on your R. (Tip) After the Garden centre
immediately T.L. on to minor road over bridge signed for Shatton. In Shatton take the first L.T.
signed Westfield. (Very easy to miss) Follow the road to where the
track splits. Now follow signs for Offerton. GO-STR-ON onto field track. It dips and climbs over small
stream & bends R. to climb steeply to Offerton Hall hamlet. (To pick up tarmac) Dip & climb over Dunge Brook. T.R. onto a short track & emerge
at road opposite Highlow Hall. T.R. and follow the road into
Abney village. T.R. just before the phone box &
follow the road all the way to the top of the Moor & T.R. (Signed to Shatton) Follow the track for about 300
yrd's and then T.L. Follow the track down to a gate
and pick up the farm track heading up to the phone mast. Drop down this fast loose track
to the start of the tarmac and a sharp bend. (Don't over-shoot the bend) T.R. on to a bridleway. Follow the track down to the road
and T.L. Retracing your route back to Joan
Lane by the sandstone gateposts. Here T.R. onto Hurst Clough Lane.
(It's unsigned) Drop steeply down & go over
the stream and climb up on the broken track. Ignore the tracks joining
from the L.& R. and climb on the tarmac to the road junction. T.L. & stay on this road until
you come to North Lees car park. T.L. through the car park and
retrace your route back up to Redmires Reservoirs. Pit-stop & free coffee top-up's
plus they do massive wicked bacon buns.