In the first half of the 20th Century, Sheffield’s steel workers and Manchester’s cotton mill workers escaped their polluted cities to reach the clean air of the Peak District. They travelled by train on the Hope Valley line which passes through New Mills. Today the Peak District National Park exists for all of us to benefit from and the Hope Valley line still runs between the Steel and Cotton cities.
Thread your way along the Steel Cotton Rail Trail across the Peak District, from city to city and station to station.
Walk over the hills and down into the majestic sweep of the Hope Valley, alongside Manchester’s canals, through woodland and meadows. Discover fascinating heritage highlights along the way on this route through the industrial past.
Plus, you always have the option to stop at the next station and catch a train back home. Do as little or as much as you like.
Find out more by visiting the Steel Cotton Rail Trail website and discover walks that start in or new New Mills.