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Longdendale Trail facts for kids

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Longdendale Trail
Longdendale trail.jpg
The Longdendale Trail
Length 10.5 km (6.5 mi)
Location East Midlands, England
Trailheads Hadfield, Derbyshire
Woodhead Tunnel
Use Hiking, cycling, horse-riding
Season All year

The Longdendale Trail is a fantastic path in England, perfect for outdoor adventures! It's a great place for walking, cycling, and even horse-riding. This trail is about 10.5 kilometers (6.5 miles) long. It follows the route of an old railway line called the Woodhead Line. This railway used to connect the big cities of Manchester and Sheffield. The railway closed in 1981, and a few years later, it became the fun trail we know today.

Because it used to be a railway, the Longdendale Trail is mostly flat and smooth. This makes it a super easy and enjoyable path for families and cyclists of all ages.

Exploring the Longdendale Trail

The Longdendale Trail officially opened in May 1992. It's a popular spot for people who love to be outdoors. You can enjoy beautiful views of the countryside as you travel along the path.

What Makes the Trail Special?

The trail is known for its gentle slopes. This means it's not too steep, which is great for bikes and young explorers. The smooth surface also makes it easy to walk or ride on. It's a safe and fun way to spend time outside.

Connecting to Bigger Adventures

The Longdendale Trail is actually part of something much bigger! It's a section of the Trans Pennine Trail. This amazing trail, also known as NCR 62, stretches all the way across the UK. It goes from Liverpool on the west coast to Hull on the east coast. Imagine cycling or walking across an entire country!

But wait, there's more! The Trans Pennine Trail is also part of an even larger path. It's connected to the E8 European long distance path. This incredible path is about 4,700 kilometers (2,900 miles) long. It starts in Cork in Ireland and goes all the way to Istanbul in Turkey. So, when you're on the Longdendale Trail, you're on a tiny piece of a path that crosses many countries!

History of the Trail

Before it was a trail, this route was a busy railway line. The Woodhead Line was an important connection for trains carrying goods and people. It ran between Manchester and Sheffield for many years. When the railway closed in 1981, the tracks were removed. This created a perfect opportunity to turn the old railway into a path for everyone to enjoy.

Transforming old railway lines into trails is a great way to reuse land. It gives people a safe and flat place to exercise and enjoy nature.

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