Former railway lines across the UK have been transformed into walking and cycling trails. These routes offer opportunities to explore diverse landscapes and historical locations.
In Derbyshire, the Monsal Trail covers 8.5 miles from Coombs Road in Bakewell to Blackwell Mill in Chee Dale. This route, a former stretch of the Midland Railway, features 18th-century cotton mills, illuminated railway tunnels, and the Headstone Viaduct, which provides views of the River Wye and Monsal Dale.
Somerset's Strawberry Line, a 10.7-mile route from Yatton railway station to the old Cheddar railway station, is shared by walkers, cyclists, and wheelchair users. It passes former railway stations, cider orchards, and historic towns. The route runs through wetlands, grazing land, and valleys.
The Mawddach Trail in Gwynedd, Wales, is a 9.5-mile path from Marian Mawr car park in Dolgellau to Barmouth viaduct. This trail largely follows the Mawddach estuary and is noted for birdwatching opportunities.
Other trails include the 14-mile Cuckoo Trail in East Sussex, the 15-mile Flitch Way in Essex, the 12.2-mile Wirral Way in Merseyside and Cheshire, and the 7.5-mile Crab and Winkle Way in Kent.