Walk the Line: New Trail Follows Historic Tramway

Step back in time on the new Steel Cotton Rail Trail, a 62-mile route in the Peak District that incorporates the historic Peak Forest Tramway. This section offers a fascinating, level walk along a path that was once a high-tech artery of the industrial revolution.
Opened in 1796 and operating until the 1920s, the tramway was a crucial piece of infrastructure. It was serviced by horse and gravity-powered vehicles, designed to carry heavy loads of limestone from the surrounding quarries to the canals and cities.
Today, the Peak Forest Tramway Trail is a peaceful, easy-going route, perfect for families and casual walkers. As you stroll, you are literally following in the footsteps of history, on a path that was essential to building Victorian Britain. It’s a prime example of the “work and wilderness” theme of the entire trail.
This historic section is just one of 14 day-length walks that make up the full 62-mile Steel Cotton Rail Trail between Manchester and Sheffield. The entire route is linked by railway stations, making it easy to access this and other historical highlights.
This new trail is a fantastic way to engage with the past while enjoying the “eye-calming” scenery of the Peak District. It’s a must-do for history buffs and anyone looking for a gentle, interesting walk.