Minninglow car park is located just south of the A5012, near Gotham. The surface of the car park is hard, compacted and reasonably smooth.

There is one picnic table accessible to wheelchair users adjacent to the track at the west end of the car park. There is also a picnic area in an adjoining field with a further three tables. However, the narrow gate and very rough surface into the field, make this very difficult for wheelchair users to negotiate - highly likely that assistance will be required. Once through the gate, the field is relatively flat but not recommended unless the weather has been very dry for several days.

There are no toilet facilities at Minninglow.

Minninglow to Hopton Top - distance 5 miles

On leaving the car park, you will need to negotiate the barrier (see picture opposite) and then take care as you cross the minor road. The surface around and through the barrier is cambered and can be quite muddy at times.

One mile from Minninglow is the old quarry with a bench at the side of the track. The surface of the track then changes to a slightly softer surface for a distance of approximately 200 yards just prior to reaching the gate and farm crossing. This tends to be muddy most of the time, even when the weather has been fine and dry for a while. (See picture opposite).

The track surface can vary throughout the year depending upon the weather conditions and frequency of other users, such as cyclists and horses.

2½ miles from Minninglow is a viewpoint with bench, affording excellent views of the countryside.

A further ¾ mile on from the viewpoint is the former station of Longcliffe, which has a picnic area next to the track with three tables and a further two benches nearby.

Shortly after leaving Longcliffe the surface changes to a darker compacted grittier type surface (see picture opposite with edge of wheelchair wheel in view).

4 miles from Minninglow and a mile from Hopton Top is a cutting of approximately 100 yards long. The surface here is of a soily type, muddy at times, probably due to the fact that this section is almost permanently in the shade.

Half a mile further on is a steady climb to Hopton Top. At the top of the incline there is a minor road to cross which is gated at each side of the road.

Hopton Top has a picnic area with three tables at the side of the track and two benches on the grassed area. There is a gate across the track prior to the steep downward incline (1 in 14) towards Middleton Top. See picture opposite.

It was at this point that I returned to Parsley Hay. Had I have carried on to Middleton Top, I personally would have found this incline too step to climb on the return journey.

At a later date I visited Middleton Top and reported on the short ride from Middleton Top to the bottom of the Hopton incline. Click here for details.