Steel Cotton Rail Trail: Dore & Totley to Grindleford | 6 Miles
From Dore & Totley, the Steel Cotton Rail Trail leaves the suburbs behind and heads properly into the Peak District. This 6.2-mile section has a bit of everything – moorland miles, sweeping views and historic railway engineering – making it one of the most scenic stretches of the trail.
This post came about after a lovely invite from the High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership, who asked me to help spread the word about their new walking trail. I wasn’t paid to do this – I just thought it was a great idea worth sharing.
Walk Highlights
Moorland Views
As you climb out of the valley, the views open up across the heather-clad moors. It’s classic Peak District scenery – big skies, rolling hills and a real sense of space.
Longshaw Estate
The route passes near the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate, where you’ll find woodland trails, rocky outcrops and plenty of picnic spots. It’s a brilliant place to pause if you’ve got time to spare.
Totley Tunnel Air Shafts
Totley Tunnel runs deep beneath the moors, carrying trains through one of the longest railway tunnels in the UK. On the surface, the air shafts are the only evidence of the trains running far below!
Steel Cotton Rail Trail: Dore & Totley to Grindleford
Walk Details: Dore & Totley to Grindleford Walk Leaflet
Walk Map (Opens in OS Maps): Steel Cotton Rail Trail: Dore & Totley to Grindleford Hike
Parking: Dore & Totley Station, Abbeydale Road South, Dore, South Yorkshire S17 3LB (W3W:///faster.tribe.spun).
Dogs: Allowed, but must be on a short lead during nesting season and around livestock.
Facilities: None – there is a cafe at Grindleford
Walk Time: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: ▲▲
Distance: 6.2 miles (10km)
Elevation: 975ft (297m)
Trig Points Bagged: None
Peak District Peaks Bagged: None
Peak District Ethels Bagged: None
Check out the full trail at Steel Cotton Rail Trail
