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Bike touring routes & trails

Staffordshire Moorlands

Waterhouses

The Manifold Way – The Manifold Way cycle trail loop from Cotton

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Staffordshire Moorlands

Waterhouses

The Manifold Way – The Manifold Way cycle trail loop from Cotton

Moderate

4.6

(31)

354

riders

The Manifold Way – The Manifold Way cycle trail loop from Cotton

02:00

32.0km

320m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Peak District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

5.79 km

Dry riverbed of the Manifold and Hamps rivers

Highlight • Natural

The Rivers Manifold and Hamps are often without water as the limestone that forms the ground dissolves and the water disappears underground.
In fact, you have to find a very wet period to see any water in some sections of the river.

Tip by

10.4 km

Bike parking at Thor's Cave

Highlight • Parking

Place to lock up bikes to visit Thors Cave

Tip by

10.4 km

View of Thor's Cave from the trail

Highlight • Viewpoint

Nice view up to Thor's cave. There is a place to lock the bike up if you want to visit the cave.

Tip by

10.9 km

The Manifold Way

Highlight • River

The Manifold Way is a traffic-free trail through the picturesque limestone dale forged by the River Manifold. Along a smooth, well-maintained path, you explore spellbinding White Peak countryside. It’s perfect for all ages and abilities.

Tip by

11.7 km

Ford at Wetton Mill on the Hoo Brook

Highlight • River

A very cool Ford to cycle through.

Tip by

13.7 km

National Cycle Network Route 549 – Peak District

Highlight • Cycleway

One of the many trails in the Peak District. You can cycle just this route, or join it up with others nearby.

Tip by

16.1 km

The Manifold Way cycle trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Flat and traffic-free cycle and walking route following the former Leek and Manifold Light Railway through some magnificent scenery.

Bike hire available at the southern end of the Trail in Waterhouses.
Cafes along the route including great tea garden near the southern end.

The trail follows the route of the Hamps and Manifold "rivers" which have often disappeared into the ground so there is a lot of river bed and not much water. The trail passes by Thor's Cave which can be accessed by parking the bikes and climbing up a steep hill (watch children as there are some steep drops).

Lots of points of interest including a ford and a tunnel to cycle through.

Tip by

28.8 km

Brown End Farm Cycle Hire

Highlight • Rest Area

It has a free car park and is conveniently placed for the Manifold Trail.

Tip by

32.0 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

18.4 km

10.1 km

2.81 km

670 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

25.4 km

6.21 km

378 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Monday 18 May

17°C

9°C

91 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 25.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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The Manifold Way – The Manifold Way cycle trail loop from Cotton

Dry riverbed of the Manifold and Hamps rivers

Bike parking at Thor's Cave

View of Thor's Cave from the trail

The Manifold Way

Ford at Wetton Mill on the Hoo Brook

National Cycle Network Route 549 – Peak District

The Manifold Way cycle trail

Brown End Farm Cycle Hire

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