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The Tissington Trail

By Dave Roberts   

on December 4, 2018    No ratings yet.

Posted as a walk in – England, Europe, Peak District National Park, White Peak

The Tissington Trail

Route Essentials

Route Summary

The Tissington Trail is a popular recreational route in the heart of the Peak District on a former railway line.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

21.2 km

Ascent

156 m

Time

4-5 hours - walking, plus return

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Parsley Hay to Ashbourne

Difficulty

Moderate Walk, Mountain Biking

Hazards

Note that many facilities along the trail close for winter – including cycle hire. Visit the links provided for further updates.

You’ll need to return to the start with either two cars or completing the Tissington Trail in both directions.

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Peak District Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

The Tissington Trail Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

The Tissington Trail

The Tissington Trail is one of the most popular cycling and walking routes in the Peak District. It follows the route of what used to be the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) line between Buxton and Ashbourne which closed in the late sixties. The Peak District Authority bought the line and re-opened it as a route for walkers and cyclists in 1971. As it’s a former railway line, you can be assured that the gradient is reasonably steady.

You can even ride the virtual Tissington Trail on Google Streetview (which is at least still free at time of writing). GIve it a go below!

The Tissington Trail starts off from Parsley Hay, which is a short drive from Buxton. There’s ample parking here as well as the Parsley Hay Cycle Hire centre which hires a range of bikes and provides refreshments and toilets. This building used to be the railway station. At Parsley Hay the route joins up with the High Peak Trail, another recreational route on a former railway line.

As it used to look!
Tissington Trail near Parsley Hay

The Tissington Trail continues downhill, with scenery aplenty and options for side excursions to some of the villages on the way. These include Hartington, Biggin, Tissington, Thorpe and of course Ashbourne. One of the highlights, especially for rail enthusiasts is the intact signal box at Hartington Station. There are toilets and a seasonal snack kisok at Hartington Station. You can also divert from the Tissington Trail into Dovedale at Thorpe, a worthy diversion.

Finally – the Tissington Trail ends with a 600m tunnel to walk through before you reach Ashbourne. Thankfully, it’s lit throughout! You will need to organise transport at this end, or return the same way, so bear that in mind. The return leg includes a few 100m of climbing, but thankfully it’s so gradual that you’ll hopefully not notice!

 

 

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

The Tissington Trail is a popular recreational route in the heart of the Peak District on a former railway line.

Route Start Location: Parsley Hay to Ashbourne

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
21.2 km 156 m 4-5 hours - walking, plus return

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Moderate Walk, Mountain Biking

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

Bike Hire is available at both Parsley Hay and Ashbourne

There are car parks, toilets and refreshments available at Parsley Hay, Hartington Station and Ashbourne.

You can also go off the trail into one of the villages if you need to find a pub on the Tissington Trail or cafe – The Waterloo Inn at  Biggin, Herbert’s Fine English Tearooms at Tissington, The Old Dog at Thorpe and there’s plenty of choice in Ashbourne.

Hazards

Note that many facilities along the trail close for winter – including cycle hire. Visit the links provided for further updates.

You’ll need to return to the start with either two cars or completing the Tissington Trail in both directions.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking :

Plenty of Tissington Trail car parks at Parsley Hay Hartington Station and Ashbourne.  Further parking at Alsop Station, Tissington and Thorpe.

Fees are standard – £4.75 currently, but check the Peak District National Park Website for parking updates.

Public Transport:

n/a

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Peak District Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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