Steel Cotton Rail Trail: Bamford to Hope

The beauty of the Steel Cotton Rail Trail is that it threads together history, landscapes and train travel into one easy-to-follow route across the Peak District. The short hop between Bamford and Hope is packed with interest: you’ll pass the site of Navio, a Roman fort that once guarded the valley, spot the remains of the old Toll Gates in Bamford, and enjoy open valley views before arriving at the lovely village of Hope.

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

Navio Roman Fort

Just outside Brough, you’ll find the site of Navio, a Roman fort that once controlled the valley. There’s not a huge amount to see today beyond the earthworks, but knowing you’re walking in the footsteps of Roman soldiers adds a bit of magic.

Old Toll Gates in Bamford

Keep an eye out for the old Toll Gates as you leave Bamford. They’re a quirky little reminder of how people once paid to use the roads here, and a nice link back to the valley’s history.

You can find the whole trail details here: Steel Cotton Rail Trail

Walk Details: Bamford to Hope Leaflet

Walk Map (Opens in OS Maps): Steel Cotton Rail Trail: Bamford to Hope

Parking: There is no car park at the train station, but there is on street parking on Mytham Bridge a short walk away. Please be considerate to residents. W3W:///remedy.places.lakeside

Dogs: Allowed, but must be on a short lead during nesting season and around livestock.

Facilities: There is a cafe at Hope Valley Garden Centre on the route, but there are no other facilities.

Walk Time: 1-2 hours

Difficulty: ▲

Distance: 2.5 miles (4km)

Elevation: 275ft (83m)

Trig Points Bagged: None

Peak District Peaks Bagged: None

Peak District Ethels Bagged: None

Check out the main Steel Cotton Rail Trail page for all the stages.