The Peak District National Park is blessed with several traffic free cycle trails. One of the prettiest traffic free paths is the Monsal Trail which runs for 8.5 miles along the course of the former Midlands Railway tracks. Suitable for cycling, walking and horse riding, the track is edged by glorious displays of wild flowers, goes through tunnels and has several car parks, cafes and cycle hire outlets along its route. One end begins near Buxton and stretches all the way to near Bakewell.

The trail follows the path of the River Wye at the Buxton End although the river is mostly unseen after the first cycle hire shop. The walk from the car park to the cycle hire shop at Blackwell Mill alongside the River Wye is very pretty and you may spot red squirrels, ducks and various birds.

The River Wye meanders a different course after Monsal Dale.

There are car parks at Wyedale, Tideswell Dales, Upperdale and Hassop.

It might be an idea to rent a holiday cottage along the Buxton to Bakewell stretch is you plan to cycle or walk here although a journey from one side of the Peak District to another takes little more than half an hour’s drive.

The traffic free cycle trails in the Peak District

• Monsal Trail 8.5 miles
• Manifold Trail – 8 miles in length, along the Manifold Valley
• Tissington Trail – 13 miles, stretches from near the village of Tissington at Parsley Hay to Ashbourne and is part of the National Cycle Network.