The trails in the north-eastern corner of the Peak District don’t see as many tyre tracks as their
siblings further south and west yet there’s still plenty of good tracks to ride — exemplified by this little gem around the Langsett Reservoir.
There’s not too much to get excited about in the early stages. In fact, little happens until you climb out of Langsett village and take the stony track that leads easily up to the small hamlet of Upper Midhope. From here though, it starts to get much more interesting, first on a
narrow drop from the village and then, on a steeper and stonier
little number that leads all the way to the reservoir shores.
Now it’s up — steeply and technically at times — on a broad stony trail that runs along the top of woodland. This leads out onto the moors, where a steepish climb on a sandy singletrack gives access to a sumptuous descent that starts by contouring around the spectacular Mickleden Edge. It’s the highlight of the whole outing and more than pays back the effort required to get up to it. Things get a little more hairy near the bottom, where a couple of steep and stony switchbacks will really test your mettle.
The final loop could easily be missed out. But you’ve only come 9km so far so you’d have to have a good excuse. Forest trails and walled farm track lead easily out onto the A628, and from here you can take one final dive back into the forest to finish.