LARKSTONE LANE

GRINDON, STAFFORDSHIRE

In a quiet corner of the Peak District, far from the madding crowds surrounding Matlock and Buxton, lies the Manifold Valley. Of the number of ways in and out of the gorge, Larkstone Lane is the toughest. Coming out of Grindon there is a very nasty, rough descent, so take care. Cross a small stone bridge and follow the road as it bends right, climbing gently towards the initial hairpin. Here’s where the hard work begins – 25% at the apex, it delivers you into a gruelling 20% stretch before doubling back on itself at the next horribly steep corner. The road, now edged by a typical drystone wall, climbs gently for a while before ramping up again as the surface slowly deteriorates. Before long you’re left with just a few inches of clean tarmac either side of the grass and rubble that cover the crown, and then you dip down before the final rise to the summit at the junction with Ashbourne Lane.