A new 62-mile trail has launched just in time for walkers to enjoy the “golds, reds and ochres” of the autumn leaves. The Steel Cotton Rail Trail, a 14-section route between Manchester and Sheffield, is an “almost perfect” way to experience the season.
The “classic northern autumn day” of “low clouds” and “mizzle” provides a “grey-filtered” backdrop, making the “glow of dead leaves all around” even more vibrant.
This “mast year” has left a “loud crunch of dry acorns and beech nuts” underfoot, especially on wooded, “eye-calming” sections like the Peak Forest Tramway Trail. Walkers can “look down and let the leaf litter blur” their “ruminations.”
The 14 rail-linked sections allow you to choose your perfect “autumn amble.” You can opt for a “mellow” riverside walk to enjoy the “trees” or a misty moorland hike to see the valleys.
This new, well-marked trail is a “welcome” addition for the season. It’s an accessible, car-free way to soak in the “magical moods” of the “post-industrial” Peak District.