From Landfill to Woodland: The ‘Green’ Story of a New Trail

A new 62-mile walking trail in the Peak District tells a powerful story of nature’s resilience and reclamation. The Steel Cotton Rail Trail, linking Sheffield and Manchester, guides walkers through a “post-industrial” landscape, highlighting several inspiring “green” transformations.
A prime example is the Mousley Bottom nature reserve. Walkers on the trail will enter this pretty patch of woodland, which occupies an area previously used as a landfill site, a gasworks, and a sewage works. Its transformation into a beautiful, wild space is a key theme of the entire route.
The trail celebrates this blend of “work and wilderness.” It doesn’t seek an illusion of pristine nature but instead follows old industrial arteries, like the 1796 Peak Forest Tramway. This former limestone-hauling route is now a peaceful green corridor for walkers and cyclists.
This theme of reclamation is seen across the 14-section trail. It passes former textile mills, like Torr Vale Mill, and disused quarries, all of which are slowly being softened and reclaimed by nature. The route offers a fascinating glimpse into how landscapes can heal and find new purpose.
This new, rail-linked trail is a perfect walk for those interested in ecology and industrial history. It’s a hopeful journey that showcases the “golds, reds and ochres” of nature reclaiming the land, all while providing a fantastic recreational route.