A new 62-mile route in the Peak District is more like 14 “mini-adventures.” The Steel Cotton Rail Trail, linking Manchester and Sheffield, has been cleverly designed as a series of 14 day-length sections, offering ultimate flexibility for walkers and cyclists.
The key is the railway. Each of the 14 sections starts and ends at a train station, primarily on the Hope Valley Line. This “rail-pegged” design means you can “choose your challenge” for the day, whether it’s a “summit-fiend” hike or an easy family walk.
This flexibility makes the trail accessible to everyone. You can tackle a tough 7.5-mile leg from Edale, or enjoy a gentle, 6.5-mile amble from Chinley to Strines, taking in the Peak Forest Tramway, Bugsworth Basin, and New Mills along the way.
The route is a journey through a “post-industrial” landscape, mixing “work and wilderness.” You’ll find historic tramways, “canal mania” ports, reclaimed nature reserves, and dramatic gorges. It’s a “charming and eye-calming” region with a deep, layered history.
Now fully waymarked and with free digital and PDF maps available, this 14-in-1 trail is ready to be explored. It’s a perfect, accessible way to discover the “magical moods” of the Peak District, one section at a time.