The Headstone Viaduct on the Monsal Trail in the Peak District. Photograph: Lankowsky/Alamy View image in fullscreen The Headstone Viaduct on the Monsal Trail in the Peak District. Photograph: Lankowsky/Alamy Guardian journalism is independent. We earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more .
Repurposed railway lines make accessible and family-friendly walking and cycling routes. Here are some of the best, from Somerset to the Highlands of Scotland
Prefer the Guardian on Google The Monsal Trail , Peak District , Derbyshire Start/ f inish Coombs Road in Bakewell to Blackwell Mill in Chee Dale , but there are lots of access points along the way Distance 8.5 miles Cycle, hike or ride a horse along the Monsal Trail to explore a swathe of Derbyshire’s industrial history. This former stretch of the Midland Railway line winds past the imposing structures of two 18th-century cotton mills, through illuminated railway tunnels and over the Headstone Viaduct, which gives glorious views of the River Wye and Monsal Dale below. Interpretation and listening panels along the route explain the area’s history, geology and wildlife, while a short detour on to Monsal Head offers a panoramic view of the viaduct itself. Pause here for lunch or a pint at the Monsal , or stop in at Hassop Station Cafe , which offers bike rental alongside hefty sandwiches, homemade cakes and wood-fired pizza at weekends. monsaltrail.org.uk
View image in fullscreen Cycling on the Strawberry Line at Shute Shelve railway tunnel. Photograph: Joe Dunckley/Alamy Start/ finish Yatton railway station to the old ( unused ) Cheddar railway station Distance 10.7 miles Named for the fruity cargo that trains once carried from the strawberry fields up to London, this flat, accessible route – shared by walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users – knits together former railway stations, cider orchards and small, historic towns. Direct trains run from Bristol to Yatton, where the not-for-profit, community-run Strawberry Line Cafe serves hearty breakfasts and homemade cakes, while next door the Strawberry Line Cycle Project offers bike hire and accessories such as child seats. The route runs through wildlife-rich wetlands, open grazing land and lush valleys, while the medieval square at Axbridge gives an insight into the region’s rich history, dating back to the 10th century, when it was a busy commercial centre. Settle in at the Almshouse Teashop , in a building almost 600 years old, for freshly made soup and sweet treats, before setting off again. thestrawberryline.org.uk
View image in fullscreen The toll bridge at Penmaenpool, over the Mawddach. Photograph: Henry Ciechanowicz/Alamy Start/ finish Marian Mawr car park in Dolgellau to Barmouth viaduct Distance 9.5 mile s Mostly running alongside the Mawddach estuary, this tranquil trail is a great choice for birders, with peregrine falcons and buzzards whirling above, and curlews and oystercatchers in the salt marshes. The wide, even surface also makes it ideal for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and there are several joining points along the trail, meaning you can walk or bike as little or as far as you like. Just next to the 150-year-old Penmaenpool wooden toll bridge, the George III hotel and pub offers sweeping estuary views and classic pub food (including particularly fine pies), or pick up picnic supplies from Fork, Cork and Feathers in Dolgellau, which has a cold counter crammed with cured meats, cheeses…