TheTrans Pennine Trailis along-distance pathrunning from coast to coast acrossNorthern Englandon a mixture of surfaced paths, with some short on-road sections, and with gentle gradients (it runs largely along disusedrailwaylines andcanal towpaths). It forms part ofEuropean walking route E8and is part of theNational Cycle NetworkasRoute 62(referencing theM62 motorwaywhich also crosses thePennines).
Most of the surfaces and gradients make it a relatively easy trail, suitable forcyclists,pushchairsandwheelchairusers. The section betweenStockportandBarnsleyis hilly, especially nearWoodhead,[1]and not all sections or barriers are accessible for users of wheelchairs or non-standard cycles.[2]Some parts are also open tohorse riding.
The trail is administered from a central office in Barnsley, which is responsible for promotion and allocation of funding. However, the 27local authoritieswhose areas the trail runs through are responsible for management of the trail within their boundaries.
History
editThe idea originated fromBarnsley,where the head office is now based. Work on the trail started in 1999. Early development was boosted by a £5 million investment by theMillennium Commission.The trail was officially opened in September 2001. However, the route was not fully completed until late 2004. It cost £60 million to construct.
Route
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The main west–east trail starts atSouthport,then heads south through the suburbs ofLiverpool,throughWidnes,Warrington,Manchester,StockportandHadfield.It then crosses thePeak District,heading up theLongdendalevalley via theLongdendale TrailtoWoodhead,then down throughDunford BridgeandPenistone,Doncaster,Selby,Hessle,HullandHornsea.This route covers 207 miles (333.1 km). Between Southport and Selby it isNational Cycle Network,Route 62and from Selby to Hornsea, NCNRoute 65.
There is also a north–south trail that runs fromLeedsand throughWakefield.It then passes through Barnsley and crosses over the main trail in theDearne Valleyarea. After that it continues south toSheffieldand theRother Valley Country Parkbefore terminating inChesterfield.This is NCNRoute 67and is 70 miles (112.7 km) long.
The route also has several deviations and loops inSouth Yorkshire,including one toRotherham,NCNRoute 6and NCNRoute 627south of Penistone. Another 15-mile (24.1 km) spur runs from Selby toYork,NCNRoute 65.
The cross-continentEuropean walking route E8uses the trail between Hull and Liverpool to cross England. It also crosses both the eastern and western routes ofEuropean walking route E2.[3]
Certificates
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Certificates are handed out for covering different parts of the trail. In order to obtain them, trail users need to collect stamps at various points along the trail.
- Southport to Hornsea: 207 miles (333.1 km)
- Liverpool to Hull: 179 miles (288.1 km)
- Liverpool to Hornsea: 192 miles (309.0 km)
- Southport to Hull: 194 miles (312.2 km)
- Whole route (including north/south links): 350 miles (563.3 km)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Trans-Pennine Trail".cycle.travel.Retrieved24 January2019.
- ^"Accessible mapping | Trans Pennine Trail".Retrieved24 January2019.
- ^"European long distance route Trans Pennine Trail".transpenninetrail.org.uk.Retrieved31 January2018.
External links
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