Image shared for Longdendale Trail: Hadfield to Woodhead and back
Countryside Out & back

Longdendale Trail: Hadfield to Woodhead and back

Walk

Derbyshire

Distance
12.9 mi
Est. time
6h
Difficulty
Medium
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PaulWalkmates Route by PaulWalkmates
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About this walk

Begin at the Longdendale Trail car park off Platt Street in Hadfield. Follow the signed former Woodhead railway east through the Longdendale valley, with views over Bottoms, Valehouse, Rhodeswood and Torside reservoirs. Continue through the former station area at Crowden to the trail end beside the closed Woodhead tunnels. Turn here and retrace the same trail all the way to Hadfield. This route includes the complete outward and return walk; the tunnels themselves are closed to public access.

This is a long day on a broad, mostly level shared trail, with a gradual climb on the outward leg and the reverse on the return. Allow around six hours including short stops. Compacted surfaces can have loose stones, puddles and muddy edges. Take care at the B6105 crossing and give space to cyclists and horse riders. Bring food, water and weatherproof clothing, as the upper valley is exposed to wind and facilities are limited away from Hadfield. Shops and cafes are available in Hadfield. Use the public trail car park and check the parking signs before setting off. Remain on the railway trail at junctions rather than taking the steeper moorland paths.

Walk details

County
Derbyshire
Walk type
Out & back
Category
Countryside
Distance
12.9 mi (20.8 km)
Est. time
6h
Explorer
Yes, off the beaten track

Route map

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Along the route

7 places
Walking Guidepost
Guidepost
Longdendale Trail Entrance
Information · 0.0 mi along
Longdendale Trail Car Park
Parking · 0.0 mi along
Bottoms Reservoir Viewpoint
Information · 0.4 mi along
Parking
Essentials · 2.5 mi along
Parking
Essentials · 4.4 mi along
Woodhead Tunnels
Parking · 6.5 mi along

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