High Peak Trail – Carsington Water loop from Thorpe

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

High Peak Trail – Carsington Water loop from Thorpe

Hard

5.0

(1)

riders

High Peak Trail – Carsington Water loop from Thorpe

03:12

42.5km

690m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 18, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Peak District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

5.97 km

Bradbourne Brook Ford

Highlight • Bridge

Fun for the fool hardy, slow and steady. Can be deep, be prepared to bail if your bike starts to slide out from under. At your own risk🚲😬. Bridge for the sensible 😉

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7.27 km

Bradbourne Village

Highlight • Historical Site

A "doubly thankful" village. A thankful village is one where none of the inhabitants were killed in the First World War. A doubly thankful one is where no inhabitants were …

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14.2 km

Wooden Sculptures at Carsington Water

Highlight • Monument

Look out for the wooden sculptures as you go around the reservoir.

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23.6 km

Ruins

24.4 km

Middleton Top Engine House and railway wagon

Highlight • Historical Site

Notorious for its steep gradient, Middleton Top is a super climb with majestic views at the top. Plus, there's bike hire and a small cafe here. It has also been …

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25.7 km

High Peak Trail

Highlight • Cycleway

Great route for traffic-free cycling, the High Peak trail is a gravel track which follows the course of an old railway. This railway was owned by a canal company, so …

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30.5 km

View across Carsington Water

Highlight • Viewpoint

Next view across conservation area down reservoir. Lots of bird life to look out for

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31.0 km

Bird Hide at Carsington Water

Highlight • Structure

Bird hide alongside the walking and cycling routes around Carsington Reservoir.
Open to all. Inside there are seats, information on the birds you might see and some remote cameras you …

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31.4 km

Carsington Water

Highlight • Lake

If you are looking for an easier life cycle around the reservoir anticlockwise as this way you get the harder part out of the way in the first half of …

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42.5 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types