Longdendale Trail — Attraction in High Peak

16/04/23: walked this twice now. 10km there to the Woodhead Tunnel & Platform is and then 10km back. Took 5hrs, with dog. Plenty of places to stop and rest if required. Lovely views over the reservoirs below (Bottoms, Rhodeswood, Torside, Valehouse & Woodhead). Options of dropping down and taking in those too, or, walk to the Woodhead Tunnel/Platform and then drop down and walk via the reservoirs back. Take a picnic. Can be muddy in parts. In 3 areas there are small wooden posts, solar powered, that when pressed give a little history of the area, voice by what sounds like David Attenborough. The trail lacks dog poo bins which is a shame as it discourages people picking it up. Double bag and take home! April 2021: The Longdendale Trail & Woodhead Tunnels: Walked the full length. From Platt Street Car Park (SK13 1DW) to the Woodhead Tunnel and back again. The Longdendale Trail is an English long-distance rail trail following the former Woodhead railway line, which ran between Manchester and Sheffield and closed east of Hadfield in 1981. It has shallow gradients and a smooth surface.

The Woodhead Tunnels are three parallel trans-Pennine 3-mile long railway tunnels on the Woodhead Line, a former major rail link from Manchester to Sheffield in Northern England. The first tunnel, Woodhead 1 was constructed by the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester Railway. Work on the tunnel commenced in 1837. It was designed by the railway engineer Charles Vignoles, who was later substituted by the civil engineer Joseph Locke. When opened in 1845, Woodhead 1 was one of the world's longest railway tunnels and the first trans-Pennine tunnel.

Woodhead 2 was completed in 1853. Both tunnels were difficult to maintain because of their narrowness and heavy traffic, estimated to be around 250 trains per day in either direction. As both tunnels were too narrow to allow for electrification, it was decided to construct a third tunnel in the 1950s. Woodhead 3 opened in 1953, almost 100 years after Woodhead 2.

Although the Hope Valley line was recommended for closure in the Beeching Report, instead, the government decided to cease passenger services on the Woodhead line, allegedly due to the high cost of upgrading and modernising the route. In 1970, the last passenger services ran through the tunnel but the line continued to host freight trains. The last train passed through the tunnels in 1981 when the line was closed.

The tunnels are maintained and now used for other purposes. They are owned by National Grid plc, which used Woodhead 1 and 2 to carry power cables and, in 2008, controversially installed cables in Woodhead 3, which would create difficulties in reinstating rail services and was resisted by a sizeable campaign.

On 5 November 2013, it was decided to seal the Victorian tunnels, following a decision not to purchase them from...

Hi I will introduce myself I am 18 rambler I am starting to go along with the Glossop and Tameside Ramblers Association I am looking forward going on there walking group on Saturday September 1st that if it's still going the long and ale trail is a disused railway line dating back in the Victorian age and it is steeped in history I will say no more but it is good ideal for walks the long and Dale trail is easy for people who has disabilities I would recommend it to anybody it will release walking does your world of good clear your head and take the natural beauty and see so many birdlife as autumn is approaching you will see the changes of colour in the leaves as you look to the valley below where the reservoirs are my father and latest father has a say who passed away many years ago used to maintain the reservoirs and main did the water as well and purify it through the filters through the the water plants it is steeped in history and plus the BBC used to film many many years ago you can Google and find out more I will say no more there's many other photos on here parts of Uppermill as well you may be lucky you may spots the other actor as well but they need privacy as well if you want an ideal place to meet people I would recommend it to anybody a walk helps and keeps you more active every day no need to do a strenuous walk can go a nice leisurely pace I...

Good access but we took bromptons which although managed were not ideal for riding the trail. My wife suffered a snake bite puncture on the rear and anyone who know bromptons will be sucking their teeth and wincing. Not a road side repair and six miles back to the car, but I dug deep, ramped up the gearing and what was an hour one way I managed in under half an hour on my way back with luckily no more issues. Dumped the car in the boot, went back to retrieve my better half and back home to change the wheel.

Great views along the track, reservoirs still in use by the sailing club for middle reservoir but the top one was 90%empty at a guess. I have never seen it that low.

Stunning place to ride, easy enough for kids and some sections would be usable. Y mobility scooters or wheelchairs. It wasn’t too crowded and everyone was nice and respectful of each other and it would appear the ones who did go there were responsible as I didn’t see any litter along the entire 8 mile length either way.

Will be back but maybe with something that has bigger tyres next time. Knew I should have gone down the Brompton...