A new 100km walking route offers the perfect, sustainable escape from the city. The Steel Cotton Rail Trail directly connects Manchester and Sheffield, with its 14 day-length sections all starting and ending at train stations, making it exceptionally easy to explore without a car.
This trail is a dream for the casual day-tripper and the serious hiker alike. You can catch a train from Piccadilly, alight at a village like Chinley or Strines, enjoy a stunning walk with big views and pastoral rivers, and simply hop on the next train home. The convenience of the Hope Valley Line is the backbone of this new route.
The path guides visitors through a charming and often-overlooked landscape south-east of Manchester. It’s a region of green valleys, dramatic gorges, and post-industrial heritage. You’ll discover hidden gems like New Mills, a town of magnificent viaducts and a community-owned hydro scheme, and the sweeping steel Millennium Walkway.
The trail offers a fascinating mix of scenery. One moment you might be on the quiet, level Peak Forest Tramway Trail, and the next you could be following the lovely River Goyt. Near the end of some sections, sharp ascents reward walkers with suddenly expansive views as the mist burns off the valleys.
Supported by new waymarking and free online maps (both PDF and GPX), this trail is an accessible adventure. It’s a fantastic way to de-stress, discover local history, and enjoy the glorious autumn colours of the Peak District, all just a short train ride from the city centre.