Autumn is perhaps one of the best times to visit the Peak District. The area is transformed as trees put on their colourful displays full of rich oranges and reds, while cooler weather makes a country hike more enticing and will leave you feeling invigorated.
Although there are so many places to explore in this vast national park, there’s one stunning walk which is just a stone’s throw away from Greater Manchester. The Longdendale Trail is a picturesque route which begins at Hadfield, Glossop and takes you through the moorland landscape.
The trail stretches for around 6.5 miles and follows the Trans-Pennine railway route which closed in 1981. It finishes at the entrance to the Woodhead Tunnel and passes gorgeous scenery, which is particularly picturesque at this time of year.
READ MORE:
It runs parallel alongside five reservoirs: Bottoms, Valehouse, Rhodeswood, Torside and Woodhead, which lead you from Hadfield to the former railway station at Woodhead. The route gives you breathtaking views across the reservoirs, so you've got every excuse to pause along the way and take in the surroundings.
You can walk, cycle or even ride a horse on the trail, which is pretty flat with a smooth surface. This makes it more suitable for those who are less agile, compared with other Peak District walks.
Although it doesn’t have much of an incline, if you’re cycling you’ll benefit from a downhill slope on the return journey. The trail is open to the elements so it’s worth checking the weather before you go.
The Longdendale Valley has been the site of spooky, supernatural apparitions in the past and strange lights have been spotted there before. Ghosts of Roman soldiers have also been seen wandering around, so keep your eyes peeled for creepy goings-on.
There is parking available in Hadfield, or alternatively you can park at Torside Pay and Display car park which is a halfway point on the walk, if you only want to do a section of it.
For more of the latest What's On news, click here.
READ NEXT:
- More than 30 Manchester pubs have been added to the new Good Beer Guide
- The haunted Tudor manor house minutes away from Salford Quays you can visit this half term
- The untouched Peak District village with a very special street 90 minutes from Manchester
- The 'haunted' Yorkshire beach that's worth a spooky Halloween drive from Manchester
- Places to go ice skating in Greater Manchester this Christmas 2022
