The Tissington Trail

Derbyshire County Council were quick off the mark after Dr. Beeching closed most of our rural railway routes, taking over the redundant lines from Ashbourne to Buxton, and Cromford to Buxton. This was long before the Bristol to Bath line became the first multiuser path initiated by a group of keen cyclists which later became Sustrans.

One of the Derbyshire routes became what we now know as the Tissington Trail and this is the subject of the ride which follows. It is now part of Route 68 of the National Cycle Network,  known as the Pennine Cycleway and running from Derby to Berwick-upon-Tweed, a total distance of over 300 miles.

We start the ride here at the cycle hire shed which has a small outdoor café adjacent and there are toilets here too.

                                 Our destination, Parsley Hay is 13.5 miles away and 600ft higher.

                                The lower part of the ride is sheltered by trees .................................

.                                       .with tantalising views of the surrounding countryside.

                                This bridge crosses the A515 Ashbourne to Buxton road.

                                          Approach to the Tissington Station car park.

 

                               The car park at Tissington also has a shop and toilets.

Tissington Station, of which little or nothing remains, was busy place in the days of steam

                                                   Excellent signing of adjoining routes.

                                                          

                                   The nicely restored signal box at Hartington.
                                                 Car park and toilets adjacent.

                                               Open  vista as we approach Parsley Hay.

                    The junction of the Tissington Trail (left) and the High Peak Trail (right).

                              Looking back down the Tissington Trail from the junction.

                     And here we are at last Parsley Hay. Café (outdoor), bike hire and toilets.

                                                                       This is the café.

And the bike hire/repair shop.