From ‘Canal Mania’ to ‘Rail Trail’: A Transport History Walk

The new 62-mile Steel Cotton Rail Trail is more than a walk; it’s a journey through the evolution of transport. This 14-section route between Manchester and Sheffield follows the arteries of industry, from the 18th century to the present day.
The trail’s story begins with “canal mania.” Walkers can explore Bugsworth Basin, the only intact inland port from the 1790s, when “speculators” banked on canals for “faster” logistics.
Next, the trail follows the 1796 Peak Forest Tramway. This route, serviced by “horse and gravity-powered vehicles,” was the next step in transport, built to carry heavy limestone from quarries to the new canals.
Today, the entire trail is defined by a modern transport system: the railway. It is “rail-pegged,” with all 14 sections starting and ending at stations on the Hope Valley Line. This design makes the “post-industrial” heritage accessible to all.
This new, well-marked path is a fascinating walk through 230 years of transport history. It’s a “perfect autumn amble” that shows how logistics shaped the landscape.