Off-road action for both inexperienced and experienced mountain bikers on fantastic singletrack, bridleways and other tracks.

The Peak District has a wealth bridleways with quiet minor roads suitable for linking mtb routes.

In addition, there is plenty of other off-road action for both inexperienced and experienced mountain bikers on fantastic singletrack, bridleways and other tracks. Generally, the BOATs (Byways Open to All Traffic) have been pretty well destroyed by the off-road motorists enjoying the peace, quiet and fresh air of the countryside (as have some bridleways and indeed footpaths as well).

There are several cycle hire centres. The routes we suggest are just outlines, it is recommended that you study them on a map before using them.

In brief, those looking for short sharp and challenging routes would do well to visit the areas around New Mills and Macclesfield forest. The climbs are often both technical and steep and the routes hereabouts are seldom flat! This is not an area to visit if you are not fit or used to mountain biking on sound tracks, there are some very challenging technical sections indeed.

The same goes for the Dark Peak, although the climbs are generally longer but not quite as punishingly steep. Couple that with gnarly descents and a little rain and you will need all the concentration and skills that you can muster. Having said that, there are a few tracks for example, the perimeter track of Derwent and Howden reservoirs that would be suited to riders who are perhaps not quite so confident on loose and slippery steep surfaces.

Digital Mapping Software

Digital mapping is becoming more and more popular both for GPS systems and on home computers. Here are a couple of the systems available. Both offer free software and make their money on selling the maps. For the flexibility, although it can cost you more initially for a map, in the long term it could save cash - particularly if you are like us - our mountain biking (and winter walking) takes its toll on paper maps. With a digital map, you simply reprint.

Another advantage of digital maps is that you can print off just the area that you need so instead of lugging around the whole paper map, you just take a compact A4 sheet. Great!

Anquet Maps

Anquet's map software provides easy to use route planning tools with digital maps for PCs, Pocket PCs and Smartphones. The map software can also be used to directly program routes and waypoints into GPS units. For more information about Anquet maps and their free software ... click here or click here to find out if it is compatible with your hardware.

We have not yet had the chance to review the Anquet mapping software but will do so soon. What we really like is that you can print out a map on A4 or a couple of sheets if necessary and it doesn't matter if it gets wrecked.

For a full list of the capabilities and features of Anquet Mapping Software ... click here

Anquet maps:

The Peak District 1:25000 - White Peak Area

The Peak District 1:25000 - Dark Peak Area

Central England 1:50000

Quo Digital Maps

Quo - 100% Free UK Digital Mapping Software

The prices look reasonable for the most of the maps they sell although the National Park digital maps are a little less expensive than Anquet, for example their 1:25000 of the Peak District is a shade over £40 and the entire range of Landranger maps for Great Britain at around £110, or if you just want a few small and specific areas, they sell map tiles at a couple of pounds each. And if you order before the end of April 2010, Mountain Rescue England and Wales receive 10% of the purchase price and you also get a 15% discount.