Monday 28 September 2026 - The Steel Cotton Rail Trail Stage 4 - Edale to Chinley

We had chosen a lovely late summer's day for this brilliant walk in the Peak District. Trains were on time, and as it was a fairly short day's walk, we reckoned we could afford a bit of time in the café at Edale Station.

There were seven of us today (for a while, anyway!). Sue took this picture to record the event. Cary didn't like their hot chocolate but apart from that we were all happy.

L-R: Sue W, Rick, Cary, John (a friend of Rick's), Andy and me.

On leaving the café we passed the church and reached the centre of the village at The Old Nags Head after posing yet again.

The Pennine Way starts here. There was no sign of anyone starting today, though a good number of folk were enjoying shorter walks in the sunny weather.

The path starts up a gentle gradient through an avenue of mature trees.

Soon the route opens out to cross fields on the firm stone surface that has replaced the bog that the over-used paths used to generate.

There were good views back to Mam Tor and the Edale skyline.

On the steep descent to Upper Booth, Cary's attempt at a forward roll turned into a sideways roll that finished in a cluster of arms and legs and a very loud 'Ouch' He recovered sufficiently to hobble back to Edale, but a trip to A&E the following day revealed a broken ankle. So if you see an old man stumbling around Sale in a orthopaedic boot, say 'Hello' - it might be Cary. Get well soon, Cary.*

And then there were six.

An elevenses break was taken at the foot of Jacob's Ladder, a packhorse route dating from the 18th century. Jacob Marshall cut steps in the rock to make his passage with packhorses laden with wool easier as they headed this way to Stockport market.

 

There continued to be good views back towards Edale as the path rose.

The path turned a corner and offered a sight of some of the rock formations at Edale Head.

 

The rocks shown above are the pimple towards the right in the next picture.

At the top of the Ladder we left the Pennine Way in favour of a lovely flagged path to South Head. Before reaching that landmark, lunch was taken on the flagstones as they provide an easy march through a somewhat boggy area. We only encountered one other person on the path - a chap who works in Didsbury and was keen to learn about both the Steel Cotton and the GM Ringway trails.

In the distance, the skyscrapers of Manchester.

Sue B and John decided to go over South Head. The rest of us took the nice contouring path, with a rest while we waited for the other two. Sue B was particularly energetic today, having already run back towards our lunch spot to recover the hat that Rick had carelessly left behind.

The sharp descent towards Chinley reminded Sue and me of a TGO Challengers' reunion walk some 18 months ago, after some of the walkers had encountered extreme weather on South Head. What a contrast this was.

The iconic Peak & Northern footpath signs are quite prolific around here.

Soon we were down to five of us, as John wanted to visit Chinley Churn - somewhat off the Steel Cotton Trail's route. Meanwhile we continued past several farms, one of which sported an impressive insect house.

Most of the railway between Edale and Chinley is in a tunnel. Passing under this bridge we realised we were nearly at the end of this stage.

An empty platform and a few minutes wait that passed quickly, and we were on the train to Piccadilly, and home in time to cook tea and proceed to our various evening engagements.

Here's our route - 12 km with 400 metres ascent (an extra 50 metres for Sue and John), taking a shade over 4 hours.

I have failed to integrate some of Sue's pictures into this rather hasty diary entry, so here are some of her images - very nice they are too. As usual, click on any image for a slideshow.

At the start of the Pennine Way

Marching towards Upper Booth before 'The Incident'

Jacob's Ladder

Looking back towards Edale

Flagstones leading to South Head

South Head - John hijacked a dog for a ride up the hill

On the descent to Chinley

What a lovely day out, for most of us. We all hope Cary recovers quickly.

* Cary's is only the second 'breakage' in my 60 years of organising walks, the first breakage being Julia's in 1999, when she fell off a horse that I'd hired and broke her shoulder.