The Steel Cotton Rail Trail - Index of Postings

Monday 20 July 2026 - The Steel Cotton Rail Trail Stage 1 - Sheffield to Grindleford

Tuesday 11 August 2026 - The Steel Cotton Rail Trail Stage 2 - Grindleford to Hope

Tuesday 15 September 2026 - The Steel Cotton Rail Trail Stage 3 - Hope to Edale

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

Tuesday 20 October 2026 - The Steel Cotton Rail Trail Stage 5 - Chinley to Marple

Monday 26 October 2026 - The Steel Cotton Rail Trail Stage 6 - Marple to Guide Bridge

Tuesday 3 November 2026 - The Steel Cotton Rail Trail Stage 7 - Guide Bridge to Manchester Piccadilly

Tuesday 3 November 2026 - The Steel Cotton Rail Trail Stage 7 - Guide Bridge to Manchester Piccadilly

It was back to Guide Bridge on the 10:52 from Piccadilly for me, Andy and the two Sues, others having excuses ranging from a broken ankle to a preference for cycling. Unfortunately the instigator of our walking this route, Rick, was still absent due to being unwell. We hope he'll soon be able to walk the sections he has missed.

Click on the image...

After browsing the information board at Guide Bridge, we set off down the zigzag ramp pictured above that leads to bridge number 28 and a straightforward walk along the towpath, until after passing under bridges 24a and 24, we reached the Ashton Packet Boat Marina.

We were happy to have chosen another sunny day for this walk, with bright autumn colours seeing us past the marina, where there are still signs of the standard gauge railway that linked nearby Snipe Pit with the canal.

The towpaths we trod today have benefited in recent times from resurfacing, turning muddy paths into tarmac tracks that welcome both walkers and cyclists. We passed moored barges and new housing on the north (right) side of the canal.

After a while we passed under bridge 18, 100 metres after which two shallow steps to the left took us into a long ginnel. I've cycled down this towpath many times but have not until now noticed this narrow path that leads to the Fairfield Moravian Settlement.

This is an interesting spot, with a large tree dead ahead as you enter Fairfield Square from the ginnel.

There's a church, and a college ("quiet please, there's an exam in progress"). The graveyard has many numbered 'headstones' that are placed level on the ground as shown below.

Before returning down the ginnel, we had time to note a blue plaque to a notable resident - Charles Hindley (1796-1857), an ancient post box, and a pretty sculpture.

Back on the towpath, we passed Droylsden Marina, formerly a junction with the now closed Hollinwood branch of the canal, and arrived at the top lock - the first of a set of 18 descending locks that usher the canal into the centre of Manchester.

I'm used to pausing here, waiting for those who have trouble cycling over the cobblestones that in bygone days offered grip to the horses that hauled the barges. Today the Canal and River Trust volunteers were out in force helping to maintain the canal.

Spot the blue canopy

At bridge 15 we crossed the canal over the swing bridge and headed into Copperas field, home to some extensive playing fields. A narrow path between the canal and the playing fields took us past carelessly dumped rubbish and clumps of asters, eventually reaching the next bridge, over which we returned to the towpath.

Soon, to our left, we passed a large area of redevelopment, with the groundworks seemingly proceeding at a pace.

Across the canal, accessed via lock 13, the Strawberry Duck pub, with its canal side beer garden, almost tempted us in. I wonder how times might change for this pub when the large tract of nearby new housing is finished?

 

We continued down the lock system, soon coming to a bridge that formed the junction with the former Stockport Branch Canal.

These days, the Stockport Branch Canal comes to an almost immediate abrupt end, but there is now a footpath that leads towards Gorton Station and Debdale Park, along which there are a number of intact features from the former canal.

Continuing down past lock 8, we reached the National Cycling Centre bridge and proceeded up the ramp and into the Velopark building for a coffee break during which we discretely munched our sandwiches in the company of what looked like some GBR juniors and their coaches. All rather smartly kitted out.

Returning to the towpath, at lock 7 we reached a Grade ll listed Lock Keeper's Cottage, dated 1865. 

In contrast with the old cottage, on the other side of the canal stands the new Coop Live building immediately below which we now passed.

Looking back from near lock 5, the Etihad football stadium now filled one of our horizons.

We're now on the north side of the canal, going under bridge number 5, in a zone where views across the canal are of former cotton spinning mills, including Wellington House (formerly Wellington Mill), now home to a range of different businesses.

Out of picture to our right was Brunswick Mill, built around 1840 and once one of the country's largest mills.

The Islington Arm Bridge was now crossed, over the entry to New Islington Marina, which links through to the Rochdale Canal.

Beyond the entry to New Islington Marina, another Grade ll listed Lock Keeper's Cottage came into view. This seems to be the more photogenic of the two Keepers' Cottages that we passed today.

Our route continued through the residential area of Piccadilly village. Sue W mused about when she bought her city flat many years ag there were only around 500 people living in central Manchester; now there are maybe 10,000.

We left the canal for the last time at Paradise Wharf. Some pleasing wrought iron 'windows' are passed, as we look down the continuation of the canal towards Piccadilly.

We took a short detour from Ducie Street to admire the view from the bridge at the top of a very steep hill. Who says there are no hills in Manchester?!

Graffiti and soaring buildings now clutter the landscape.

But we are done. Three of us - me, Sue B and Andy, have walked a 105 kilometre (60 odd miles) route from Sheffield to Manchester in seven pleasurable stages, and Sue W, Rick and Cary will no doubt soon join the three 'compleaters'.

We had planned to celebrate in Sale if Rick could make it. But he couldn't, so we gravitated to Pollen, in the Kampus building, for some excellent celebratory tea and cake.

Here's today's route - just 11 km with 50 metres ascent, taking us two and a half hours plus breaks.

Later, a nice sunset from our bedroom window.

Earlier, both on 2 November, but not worthy of separate entries, a colourful tree in Pickering Lodge Park, with a Moss Trooper backdrop, and The Dixie Beats performing vigorously at Eagley Jazz Club.

Next week we will start the Chester to Altrincham jaunt, with a walk from Chester to Mouldsworth. We hope to see some of you there.

Tuesday 10 November: Chester to Altrincham, Stage 1. A 15km walk from Chester to Mouldsworth. Catch the 8:10 train from Piccadilly, arriving in Chester at 9:37, via Navigation Road (8:34) and Altrincham (8:36).

Index to follow.