These are two old railways trails, one in and the other not far from Ashbourne. I don't intend to say much about them individually as there is already plenty of information on the web. Both are suitable for handbikes but the surface of the Tissington can be quite unpleasant after heavy rain and there is also two gates near the start which you will probably require assistance to open.
If the car pack on Mapleton road is full, I understand that there is a cycle way from the Ashbourne Leisure Centre which joins the Tissington Trail. Directions from Multimap
Holes in the Manifold Trail have been patched recently with tarmac and this has made sections quite lumpy and a bit uncomfortable but it still remains a good ride.
High Peaks Trail
This starts at Cromford and ends south of Buxton. It meets the Tissington at Parsley Hay, where it appears to be a continuation of the Tissington, and continues north. Of all the trails it is the most interesting. Unfortunately the stretch between Parsley Hay and Middleton Top has numerous gates which are fairly difficult to open. If you don't mind waiting for one of the many walkers to assist, it is worth trying.
Geoff and I have gone from Ashbourne up the Tissington Trail to Parsley Hay and continued up the High Peak Trail until the path ends at Sparklow and then returned to Parsley Hay. There we remained on the High Peaks Trail to Middleton Top and returned to Ashbourne via Parsley Hay. It was a very pleasant and easy afternoon cycle after the exertions of racing the previous morning at Darley Moore.
As we went no further than Middleton Top, I cannot advise on the suitability of the remaining trail for handcycles but I have been told it is quite steep in places.
