A collection of potential hill rep sessions that could feature on a Tuesday or Thursday evening, preferably followed by some sociable rehydration.
Hill stats include a map and profile image, GPX file, distance and elevation stats in miles and metres.
All images can be clicked to enlarge them.
Where the distance is short – just one rep or session is featured but is designed to be repeated until time’s up or you’ve had enough!
The Beasties of Blackamoor
Start / Finish - Totley AC Pavilion
Distance - 7.8 miles
Ascent - 2362 metres
Uphill sections - 2.5 miles
Downhill sections - 2.5 miles
Flat / or very gradual sections - 2.8 miles
Nearby pub - The Cricket Inn, The Crown
Evening session - Pick 4 or 5 of the total 6 hill options. A weekend day might be better for the full session.
1. This one is easily missed - look out for a small gap in the wall. The narrow path starts steeply.
2. The entire hill is narrow with twists and turns. It levels in places with a further steep section towards the end.
3. Under foot can be tricky, with many tree routes.
4. You suddenly emerge from the trees to reach the summit which offers a great view on a clear day.
Graves Grinder
I was interested to record a rep of Cobnar Road, convinced that Rep 2 (mine and Alex Alexander's creation) was better.
To my surprise, I somehow enjoyed the Cobnar Road rep so it's formed the start of this session. It was a Sunday afternoon and the road wasn't busy. I'd forgotten that with reps on tarmac, you can focus on your posture, style and inflict maximum torture to your quads. There's no slipping on roots, rocks or muddy ground, thinking about foot placement or ducking a branch. It's just about brut force.
What I can't do is descend on road so this is where the session leaves it behind.
1. From the top of Cobnar Road, you can cut right into Graves Park. Locals all use this route. Turn right and follow the path that descends into the trees.

2. I descend off-piste to the right here, but you can also follow the path down further and switch back. After switching back look out for a trod dropping to the left.

3. The trod runs just behind some Cobnar Road houses, gradually descending.

4. It will end at the top of Graves Park Ski slope. Descend this grassy bank to begin Rep 2.

1. Retrace your steps back up to the trees. It's a gradual start with multiple lines to choose from.

2. Aim for the top right corner of this field where a path enters the woods

3. Don't follow the path to the left. Instead, turn right to keep climbing. It gets steeper now!

4. The gap between the holy and young beach is much more spacious than this image suggests. It's not just for 5 footers!

5. There are a couple of line choices through the final step section. I zig zag up to the main path.

6. Cross the main path and up the bank on the other side.

4. Aim for the bench at the summit. There are route choices through the trees here, keeping it interesting.

5. A clear day provides a rewarding view out to the Peaks, with a bench to collapse on and enjoy it.

If an entire session of these reps feels too much, it can be nice to break it up with a slope rep.
This rep starts and finishes from the same bench with a view. It's easy, grassy and out of the trees.
Descend from the bench, towards the skyline.

Finish down a small path to the lowest point.

1. Start the rep.

2.

3.

Undulate in Unstone
Start / Finish - TBC, Unstone
Distance - 1126.54 metres
Ascent - 75 metres
Uphill sections - 307 metres
Downhill sections - 307 metres
Flat / or very gradual sections - 423 metres
Nearby pub - Miners Arms, The Travellers Rest (great beer and cider selection), Drone Valley Brewery (currently not open on Tues / Thurs)

























