There are several off-road cycling trails in the Peak District. Two of them go through Parsley Hay by the A515 just one mile from the centre of Monyash. Bikes can be hired from the Cycle Hire Centre at Parsley Hay – telephone 01298 84493.
The High Peak Trail follows the route of the old Cromford and High Peak Railway, covering a mainly high level and scenic route 14 miles from Parsley Hay to the High Peak Junction (free car park) just one mile south-east of Cromford town centre. The route is quite level with a couple of steep inclines after Middleton Top (car park and cycle hire here too). The Tissington Trail goes down hill to Ashbourne, again about 14 miles. The two routes can be turned into an eight mile circular, signposted for Biggin off the High Peak Trail.
These two trails also join up with the trail around Carsington Water and the Manifold Track from Hulme End to Waterhouses.
The High Peak and Tissington Trails are part of the National Cycle Network and form alternative starts to the 130 mile Pennine Bridleway to Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire.
More information can be found at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/cycle
Photograph by Robert Johnston