A new 100km (62-mile) walking and cycling route has officially opened, forging a new recreational link between the great northern cities of Sheffield and Manchester. The Steel Cotton Rail Trail guides adventurers through the varied landscapes of the Peak District that lie between them.
This ambitious project, which has been several years in the planning, is now complete with full waymarking. It is divided into 14 day-friendly sections, each designed to be accessible via the rail network. The stops along the Hope Valley Line mark the start and end points for these manageable walks.
The trail is designed to appeal to the widest possible audience. It features rugged moorland climbs for serious hikers, gentle and scenic riverside paths for casual walkers, and intriguing urban sections for those interested in the industrial heritage of “Steel City” and “Cottonopolis.”
The route passes through areas rich in history, including the 18th-century Peak Forest Tramway and the impressive Bugsworth Basin, a key inland port during the “canal mania” period. It’s a route that showcases the region’s transition from heavy industry to a “post-industrial” landscape where nature has reclaimed old sites.
This new trail is a welcome addition for residents of both cities, providing a new way to explore the “eye-calming” countryside on their doorstep. It also links up with other major paths, like the 200-mile GM Ringway, further enhancing the North’s walking network.