Choose Your Own Adventure: 14 New Walks Launch in Peak District

The new Steel Cotton Rail Trail is less a single trail and more a menu of 14 distinct adventures, allowing visitors to “choose their challenge and altitude.” This 62-mile route between Manchester and Sheffield is a versatile new addition to the Peak District’s outdoor offerings.
The 14 sections are the key to the trail’s appeal. Each is a manageable day-length walk, and each starts and ends at a train station. This makes logistics incredibly simple. Want a hard hike? Choose a summit-fiend section in the moors. Want an easy day? Opt for a level canal-side walk.
This flexibility makes the trail perfect for everyone. Avid hikers can aim to complete all 14 sections, while families can pick a flat, scenic route along the River Goyt. Urban explorers can stick to the “metropolitan mooches” at either end, delving into the industrial heritage that gives the trail its name.
The trail guides visitors through a varied landscape, from the dramatic gorges and viaducts of New Mills to the historic Peak Forest Tramway. It’s a post-industrial region where walkers can see the remnants of “canal mania” at Bugsworth Basin or enjoy pretty woodlands in a reclaimed nature reserve.
With full waymarking and free online maps, this “choose your own adventure” trail is ready to explore. It’s a perfect way to discover the many moods of the Peak District, especially during the beautiful autumn season.