England
Peak District
Moorland passes an hour from half of England.
- Road guides
- 6
- Miles covered
- ≈ 62
- Twistiest
- Snake Pass
- Nation
- England
The Peak District sits between Manchester, Sheffield and Stoke, which makes it the default Sunday run for millions of drivers and riders. The roads climb out of gritstone towns onto open moor, then drop into limestone dales with dry-stone walls tight to the verge.
Fast, open moorland sweepers on the A-roads, tight and steep lanes around Castleton and the White Peak. Weather changes quickly on the tops, and the popular roads carry average-speed cameras and heavy weekend traffic.
Road guides
Roads in the Peak District
Snake Pass
The A57 over Snake Pass climbs from Glossop onto the high moor below Kinder Scout and Bleaklow, then twists down through forest to Ladybower Reservoir. It is one of the most famous driving and riding roads in England.
Cat and Fiddle Road
The A537 between Macclesfield and Buxton crosses high moor past the Cat and Fiddle, one of the highest inns in England. Fast sweepers, blind crests and huge views have made it a byword for British biking roads.
Winnats Pass
Winnats Pass climbs out of Castleton through a steep limestone gorge with gradients around 1 in 5. It is short, spectacular and narrow — a road to enjoy at a gentle pace rather than a fast one.
Leek to Buxton
The A53 rises from Leek past the gritstone edges of the Roaches and Ramshaw Rocks, then runs across open moor to Buxton. It is quicker and more flowing than its neighbours, with a real sense of height.
Congleton to Buxton
The A54 climbs from Congleton through the Dane Valley and up over the moors to meet the A537 near Buxton. Tighter and quieter than the Cat and Fiddle, it is a favourite link for riders doing a Peak District loop.
Holme Moss
The A6024 climbs steeply out of Holmbridge to the Holme Moss transmitter, then drops across wild moor to the Woodhead Pass. It featured in the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2014.