The historic link between Sheffield’s “Steel City” and Manchester’s “Cottonopolis” has been reimagined as a 62-file recreational trail. The new Steel Cotton Rail Trail invites walkers and cyclists to journey between these two industrial titans via the “post-industrial” heart of the Peak District.
This 100km route is not a grueling trek but a series of 14 manageable, day-friendly sections. Each leg is cleverly designed to link two railway stations on the Hope Valley Line, making it incredibly easy to access for day trips from either city.
The trail is a “something for everyone” route. Hikers can test their lungs on the high moors, families can enjoy level walks along the 18th-century Peak Forest Tramway, and “urban explorers” can delve into the heritage at either end.
The trail is a walk-through history, passing the limestone quarries, coal seams, and textile mills that powered Victorian Britain. A highlight is Bugsworth Basin, the only intact inland port from the “canal mania” era, and the dramatic gorges and viaducts of New Mills.
Now fully waymarked and with free maps available online, this new path is a fantastic way to explore the “eye-calming” landscapes and rich, layered history that connects these two great northern cities.