The new 62-mile Steel Cotton Rail Trail is on a mission: to draw walkers to the “areas of the Peak District perhaps ignored by those who rush for the main spine of the Pennines.” This 14-section route is a journey through the region’s “hidden gems.”
Linking Manchester and Sheffield, the trail explores the “charming and eye-calming landscape” south-east of Manchester. This “bit of an unknown” territory is not quite the national park, but it’s rich in “post-industrial” heritage and natural beauty.
The trail’s “rail-pegged” design is key to this exploration. By using train stations as start and end points, it encourages visitors to alight in small, “smartish-looking” villages like Chinley and Strines, and to discover “dramatic” towns like New Mills.
Instead of just focusing on “real nature,” this route celebrates the blend of “work and wilderness.” Walkers will find historic tramways, preserved canal basins, and reclaimed nature reserves, all telling the story of a region that produced so much for Britain.
This new, well-marked path is a fantastic invitation to broaden your horizons. It’s a chance to look beyond the obvious hikes and discover the “magical moods” of this “post-industrial” heartland.