From Winster Hub to Ambergate Hub & Back

Service Description

The full day version of our Winster to Ambergate Tour starts from either Winster or Ambergate and follows a disused railway line (now a cycle trail) and a canal side tow path. The route follows minor roads and farm tracks before reaching Minninglow car park (our access to the High Peak Trail). Here impressive engineering embankments provide a reminder of the importance of the Cromford and High Peak Railway era. The High Peak Trail is then followed to Black Rock. Workshops, Engine Houses and remarkable engineering inclines provide great local interest and are all well documented with information signs en-route. The gradients also make for exciting cycling! At the Cromford Canal the tour travels south along another bygone era of transportation as it hugs the canal tow path from High Peak Junction until Ambergate is reached. The return journey returns to the canal towpath until you reach Cromford Mills (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of the modern factory system). Immerse yourself in the history of the area whilst you have a coffee or just visit the artisan shops which now occupy the magnificent buildings. From here you travel up Via Gellia until you reach the turn and climb for Bonsall where you then take minor roads and tracks across the moor and back to Winster. Difficulty - Easy Blue Tour Theme - Transportation & Historic Sites Surface - Minor roads, cycle trails and canal tow path (Short section on Via Gellia) Distance - 27.7 miles Time allocated - 6 hours Refreshment Stop Options - Winster, High Peak Visitor Centre, Black Rock, High Peak Junction, Whatstandwell, Ambergate, Cromford Mills, Cromford and Bonsall Tour Ref - 21