The Tissington Trail was set up by the Peak District National Park as a scenic 13 mile route running north from the outskirts of Ashbourne, at Mapleton Lane to Parsley Hay to provide the opportunity of travelling through exquisite countryside without the interference of motor vehicles. The trail follows the old Buxton to Ashbourne railway part of the London and North Western Railway opened in 1899 and closed in 1967. After the removal of the track bed, it was decided to turn the disused railway into a track for recreational purposes. This scheme was to become known as the "Tissington Trail" and was to be one of the first experiments of its kind in the country. The trail was opened to the public in 1971.
Mapleton Lane has a good range of facilities, including a cycle hire shop, and refreshments. There is a car park here although it can get very busy in the Summer months despite a large field which acts as an overspill car park.
The Tissington trail leaves Mapleton lane and heads slowly upwards, into the surrounding countryside. It eventually reaches Thorpe, where there is a small car park and a few picnic tables.
The trail then continues to Tissington. The car park here is considerably larger, as is the picnic area. It is worth a visit to the village for refreshments and to see the impressive Tissington Hall and Tissington village itself has the reputation of being possibly the prettiest village in Derbyshire.
Leaving Tissington, the trail continues to Alsop, which has a small car park. The trail then continues to Hartington, where evidence of the existence of the railway is present in the form of Hartington signal box now an Information Point, open in summer on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
A short distance after Hartington, at Parsley Hay, the Tissington Trail ends where it meets the High Peak Trail.
There are car-parking points for people joining the trail at various stages. Walking and cycling routes, all clearly signposted, take the visitor to various local places of interest. There are also shorter routes for people who do not wish to wander too far. Visiting in Spring and Summer will reward you with the sight of endless wild flowers and the butterflies which depend upon them.
See also
High Peak Trail
Loongdendale Trail
Manifold Trail
Monsal Trail
Tissington Hall |
Alsop en le Dale Church |
Hartington Village pond |
