Bike rides and cycle routes around Chesterfield

By Dom Stevens - 15 May 2024

The market town of Chesterfield has an excellent network of cycle routes and is perfectly located as a base for a cycling holiday to explore the Peak District and Derbyshire.

There are smooth paths for beginners, country parks and trails for family rides or more adventurous routes for keen cyclists who want to enjoy more of what Chesterfield and North Derbyshire has to offer.

Here are some suggestions to help plan your next two wheeled adventure.

Route 1: Hipper Holmebrook Triangular Trail

This route starts and finishes in the picturesque Queen’s Park, taking you through Brampton and Ashgate.

Download the Hipper Holmebrook Triangular Trail Cycle Trail by Cycle Chesterfield

Route 2: Hipper Valley Trail

This cycle route starts at Chesterfield Railway Station and takes in the industrial heritage of Cannon Mill and the Robinson’s Factory before finishing at Walton Dam.

Download the leaflet for the Hipper Valley Cycle Trail by Cycle Chesterfield

Route 3: Holmebrook Valley Trail

Starting in Chesterfield town centre, this cycle route will take you through the Holmebrook Valley to Holmebook Valley Country Park, where you can cycle round the lake, stop and have a picnic or extend your ride to the picturesque Linacre Reservoirs.

Download the leaflet for the Holmebrook Valley Cycle Trail by Cycle Chesterfield

Linacre Reservoir

Route 4: Six Parks Ride – Moderate

Starting in the heart of Chesterfield at Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre next to the Crooked Spire Church, this route takes in six of the town’s parks in a circular route.

Download the leaflet for the Six Parks Ride by Cycle Chesterfield

Route 5: Trans Pennine Trail loop, Poolsbrook Country Park and Rother Valley – Moderate

24 mile trip virtually all on traffic free trails with just a few quiet roads to negotiate. Starting at the Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre adjacent to the famous ‘Crooked Spire’ the route includes a circular loop round the Trans Pennine Trail via Staveley and an out and back ride to Rother Valley Country Park.

You can start anywhere on the route.

Download the Trans Pennine Trail Loop leaflet by Cycle Chesterfield

Route 6 – The 5 Pits Trail – Moderate

The Five Pits Trail is based upon a Great Central Railway route which served the five collieries of Grassmoor, William Thorpe, Holmewood , Pilsley and Tibshelf. The trail is 5.5 miles, extending to 7.5 miles by taking in the loop past William Thorpe Ponds.

You can cycle from Chesterfield Railway Station, through the Avenue Nature Reserve to the start of the trail at Grassmoor.

Download the 5 Pits Trail Map by Cycle Chesterfield

Route 7 – Poolsbrook County Park – Easy

Perfect for a family bike ride, cycle round the lake or explore the trails around the Country Park.

Find out more about Poolsbrook Country Park

Route 8 – Paul’s 11 Mile Cycle Route – Moderate

Paul Chapman is a Chesterfield resident and business owner, he loves cycling and has created a 11 mile route for you all to enjoy.

Read about why Paul thinks Chesterfield is such an amazing town for cycling and download his route.

Route 9 – The Avenue Country Park

Located on the outskirts of Chesterfield the Avenue Country Park has a range of paths and trails that are perfect for a family cycle ride.

You can cycle to the Avenue Country Park from Chesterfield Railway station.

Route 10 – 40 mile route around North Derbyshire – Challenging

Starting and finishing in Chesterfield this route takes in the Five Pits Trail, Silverhill Trail, Teversal Trail, Archeological Way, Creswell Clowne Branchline Greenway, Poolsbrook Country Park and the Trans Pennine Trail. About 35 miles of this route is traffic free.

Find out more on the Cycle Chesterfield website

Plan your own bike rides and cycle routes around Chesterfield

You can plan your bike rides in and around Chesterfield by either downloading the Chesterfield Cycle Map, produced by Chesterfield Cycle Campaign or online on the Cycle Streets website.

Centre for the Peak District

Once you have explored the bike rides and cycle routes in Chesterfield, why not discover the rest of the The Peak District and Derbyshire, which is easily accessible from town.

From family-friendly cycle rides on a traffic-free trails, or some more challenging mountain biking on rugged terrain, there is something to suit all abilities.

Visit Peak District and Derbyshire have produced a range of Cycle guides for the wider area including routes and videos to plan you next cycling adventure.

Cycle Chesterfield has further information and routes to explore the area at https://chesterfieldcc.org.uk/maps-leaflets/

You can find out more abut planning your visit to Chesterfield including hotels, places to eat and things to do.

Find out more about getting on your bike in Chesterfield, which includes advice on where to get you bike serviced and getting involved in the local cycling scene.