Upper Longdendale Valley

Longdendale Trail

Map ref: SK 025963 - SK 113998

This former Manchester to Sheffield railway line has been converted to a safe, traffic-free trail for everyone, owned and managed by United Utilities. Its smooth level sandy surface means it is suitable for people in wheelchairs and less agile people, as well as families with small children and pushchairs.

It runs from Hadfield (accessible by train) to the Woodhead Tunnels, a distance of nearly seven miles, before crossing the A628 and climbing a steep moorland track towards the Yorkshire border at Salter's Brook.

Access points are wheelchair-friendly; larger electric wheelchairs will need a RADAR key to open gates at Platt Street.

You can get onto the Longdendale Trail at Platt Street, Hadfield; Torside Car Park and Woodhead Station.

Note the trail has gradients of about 1:10 for 50m either side of Woodhead Dam .

The Longdendale Trail is part of the national coast-to-coast route, the Trans Pennine Trail, which runs from Liverpool to Hull.

Visit the Trans Pennine Trail website [opens in new window].

Crowden

Map ref: SK 073993

Tarmac car park giving walkers access to the moorland tracks of Black Hill but with no real views out due to the woodland setting.

Access to the toilets is about 100m along a level, fairly smooth stoned path. The toilet, suitable for disabled people, has a ramp up; this is open all year.

There are two picnic tables in the woodland and one next to the path to the toilets.

Crowden Campsite

Map ref: SK 071994
Tel: 01457 866057

Fairly level grass site run by the Camping & Caravanning Club for tents only. The site is open from Easter until the end of October.

Access to the ablution block is up a 150mm step to the ladies, 2 steps to the gents, although there is a toilet suitable for disabled people in the adjacent public toilet (see Crowden).

There are also steps up to the reception, showers and pot-wash.

Torside

Map ref: SK 068983

A popular site overlooking Torside Reservoir with its sailing club.

The mostly tarmac car park has six spaces reserved for disabled people next to the building and two by the start of the easy access path to the trail.

There is a toilet suitable for disabled people (open all year).

An overflow car park adjacent to the main car park can be used for picnics; a number of picnic tables are provided, two of which are adapted to take people in wheelchairs.

Access onto the Longdendale Trail is up a tarmac path, maximum gradient 1:15 or a steeper sandy track for cyclists and horse riders.

A refreshment concession operates at times, from which leaflets can be obtained.