On 27 September 2025, High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership and South East Manchester Community Rail Partnership (CRP) were thrilled to be able to launch a new station-to-station walking route, the Steel Cotton Rail Trail.
The new route connecting the Steel and Cotton cities – Sheffield and Manchester – allows passengers to enjoy the Peak District and canals along the Hope Valley railway line while exploring the area’s industrial past.
The idea for the walking trail came from the chair of Friends of Bamford Station, volunteer John Stubbs. The trail runs along the route that city factory workers used to escape to the fresh air of the countryside. Various walks connect different stations on the line, allowing walkers to explore as much or as little as they have time for.
Helen Wright, from the High Peak and Hope Valley CRP, said the team “are so pleased to be able to bring this project to life. The route…will hopefully encourage lots of people to visit the Peak District by train and leave their cars at home.”
Paul Webster, Community Rail Network Regions Support Manager, added, “the new long-distance Steel Cotton Rail Trail links together the stunning walking destinations throughout the very beautiful High Peak and Hope Valley areas and is all reachable from cities at either end of the line.”
The CRPs would like to thank Sheffield City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Peak District National Park, National Trust, Canal and River Trusty, Tameside MBC, Stockport MBC and Manchester City Council.
Find out more about the Steel Cotton Rail Trail and access the various walking routes via this webpage.
P.S. Thank you to the Guardian’s Chris Moss for trying out the Trail! Read his article on the Guardian website.