The best gravel rides around Hazelwood

Hazelwood offers a selection of 23 gravel biking routes. These range from easier paths to more challenging rides, with 2 easy, 4 moderate, and 17 difficult trails to explore.

Yes, Hazelwood has routes suitable for beginners. For an easier ride, consider the Mapperley Reservoir – Mapperley Singletrack Trail loop from Heanor. This 10.6-mile route features a mix of reservoir-side paths and varied singletrack sections, making it a great option to get started.

The gravel trails around Hazelwood feature a diverse landscape of rolling hills, disused railway lines, and scenic reservoir paths. You'll encounter a mix of converted rail trails and more challenging routes through the countryside, often traversing open fields and wooded sections with views of the surrounding Derbyshire landscape.

Experienced riders looking for a challenge will find several difficult routes. The High Peak Trail – Tissington Trail loop from Belper is a demanding 39.7-mile path that utilizes historic railway lines, offering extensive stretches of gravel through open countryside with significant elevation gain.

The komoot community highly rates Hazelwood's gravel trails, with an average score of 4.7 stars from over 25 reviews. Riders often praise the varied terrain, from disused railway lines to scenic reservoir paths, and the beautiful rolling countryside views.

Many of Hazelwood's gravel routes are designed as loops. For example, the Carsington Water – Bradbourne Brook Ford loop from Kirk Ireton is a 25.8-mile circular trail that takes you through reservoir landscapes and rural lanes, typically completed in about 3 hours 25 minutes.

While riding, you can explore several natural attractions. Carsington Water is a prominent feature, and you might also encounter areas like Wyver Lane Nature Reserve. For specific viewpoints, consider routes that pass by features like Harboro Rocks, offering expansive views of the landscape.

While the Hazelwood guide focuses on local routes, the broader region, particularly areas like Pittsburgh's Hazelwood Trail, connects to larger networks such as the Eliza Furnace Trail, the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, and the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), which is renowned for gravel cycling. The local trails offer a good starting point for exploring the wider area.

The spring months are particularly beautiful for gravel biking in the wider region, with vibrant spring colors from dogwood and redbud trees, and water flowing freely from mountainsides. Generally, spring through autumn offers pleasant conditions for exploring Hazelwood's varied terrain.

Yes, several routes incorporate views of local water bodies. The Carsington Water – Bradbourne Brook Ford loop from Kirk Ireton specifically leads through reservoir landscapes. Additionally, the Mapperley Reservoir – Mapperley Singletrack Trail loop from Heanor features paths alongside Mapperley Reservoir.

Hazelwood's gravel biking is characterized by its use of disused railway lines. The High Peak Trail – Tissington Trail loop from Belper is a prime example, utilizing these historic lines for extensive gravel sections through the countryside.

While specific parking details for each trailhead are best checked on individual route pages, many routes around Hazelwood start from towns or villages like Heanor, Belper, or Kirk Ireton, where public parking facilities are typically available. Look for designated parking areas near the start points of your chosen routes.