Good Day Walks with a train back to the starting point.

[ic31420]

A walking thread might seem a bit odd for a Railway Forum but bear with me. These walks centre around a railway journey.
Recently we have done a few walks which have ended up with the train back to the starting point.

The most recent was the Popular Whitehaven - St Bees (with the train back to Whitehaven)

Others include
Formby - Ainsdale (and train back from Ainsdale to Formby....you get the idea..)
Armthwaite - Wetheral
The tremendously 'exciting' Bolton - Blackrod
Colwyn Bay - Abergele

Some more exciting than others

Can anyone recommend any more good routes?

Id especially be interested in any in Cornwall or South/West side of Devon.

 

[D6130]

Walsden-Todmorden-Hebden Bridge-Mytholmroyd-Sowerby Bridge....or various combinations or segments thereof. You could walk along the canal some or all of the way - or utilise some of the scenic hilly paths climbing up both sides of the Calder Valley.

Almost any station to any other station on the Settle-Carlisle line....depending on time and daylight available and the fitness and stamina of the walker(s) concerned.

Ardlui-Crianlarich-Upper Tyndrum-Bridge of Orchy....or various combinations or segments thereof - utilising the West Highland Way, with some good railway photography opportunities en route.

 

[MadMarsupial]

Whaley Bridge to Buxton
Chinley to Edale

 

[_toommm_]

If two trains back is fine, Edale to Glossop as a part of the Pennine Way. A fair climb with lots of views on the walk, plus decent views on the trains back before the city on the way from Glossop, and once you've left the city on the way to Edale.

 

[NorthOxonian]

Some great ones along the Cherwell Valley line - the distances are fairly long but the terrain is easy (along the canal towpath or by the river) and there are ample opportunities to stop for food and drink. Pretty much any two intermediate stations between Radley and Banbury (except for King's Sutton) will work - Tackley to Heyford being the shortest pair and probably the most obvious.

On a similar note (and a bit closer to Devon/Cornwall), starting at Bath on the Avon and heading east is another lovely walk. Depending on how energetic you feel, you can end at Freshford, Avoncliff, Bradford, or even Trowbridge.

 

[CJSwan]

A recommendation for anybody finding themselves on Scotland’s east coast.

I live in Aberdeen and have a few times walked along the coastal path between Arbroath and Dundee in various combinations. Nice views of the sea, some nice beaches, the railway is practically beside you the whole way, and you can hope on and off the train at Arbroath, Carnoustie, Monifieth, Broughty Ferry and Dundee, depending on what parts of the walk you want to do. Also, nearby to all the stations there’s somewhere to buy food and drinks, ranging from little supermarkets to some nice cafes and pubs.

 

[5562]

Dent to Ribblehead is a good one over the top of Blea Moor tunnel.

 

[Snow1964]

There are various walks and hikes through New Forest, use any combination between Ashurst New Forest and Sway stations

Another popular one is the various walks between Bradford on Avon and Bath, either along canal, over the hills or even via the old Somerset and Dorset twin tunnels

 

[mrcheek]

A different type of walk, but its worth getting off at Dawlish Warren and walking to Dawlish.

Leigh-on-Sea to Southend-on-Sea is nice too. (I didnt intend to do this, I missed the turn off for the previous station, and just kept on walking instead)

Also, Cardiff Bay to Penarth, along the Cardiff Barrage

 

[Bessie]

Reading to Henley along the Thames path. Also Lewes to Hassocks using the South Downs Way.

 

[thejuggler]

Agree with the above. Calder Valley Todmorden to Hebden along canal and then up to Stoodley Pike is one I've done.

Leeds Liverpool canal has lots of options and I've done Gargrave to Leeds in sections over the years. Even the very urban section out of Leeds soon loses the built up feeling and by Kirkstall you are into countryside.

Train to Gargrave and walk back to Skipton or beyond. Skipton to Keighley etc etc.

 

[ic31420]

Walsden-Todmorden-Hebden Bridge-Mytholmroyd-Sowerby Bridge....or various combinations or segments thereof. You could walk along the canal some or all of the way - or utilise some of the scenic hilly paths climbing up both sides of the Calder Valley.

Almost any station to any other station on the Settle-Carlisle line....depending on time and daylight available and the fitness and stamina of the walker(s) concerned.

Ardlui-Crianlarich-Upper Tyndrum-Bridge of Orchy....or various combinations or segments thereof - utilising the West Highland Way, with some good railway photography opportunities en route.

I'm only 30mins from Tod... Why have I never thought of this!

If two trains back is fine, Edale to Glossop as a part of the Pennine Way. A fair climb with lots of views on the walk, plus decent views on the trains back before the city on the way from Glossop, and once you've left the city on the way to Edale.

My four year old would like as many trains as possible. The Armthwaite to Wetheral via a Change at Carlisle was a huge hit!

Dent to Ribblehead is a good one over the top of Blea Moor tunnel.

Might leave that til summer!

Some really great ideas thanks folks.

 

[Ken H]

Arnside to silverdale
Morecambe - Bare lane along the prom.
Leeds skipton line follows the leeds and liverpool canal so pick the bit you want to walk. Gargrave too.
Keighley - ilkley over Rombalds Moor.
Loads of Ribblehead - Horton walks.
Staveley (Cumbria) - Penrith via high Street. But you may need to spend a night out.

 

[John Webb]

There are some good walks on the North York Moors which can use stations on the NYMR and/or the Esk Valley line as start/end points.

 

[irish_rail]

Bodmin Parkway to Lostwithiel is nice, with the woods and rivers and hills, plus restormel Castle.

 

[Bald Rick]

Fort William - Corrour. Long day - it’s 35k, but you see some stunning scenery (Falls of Steall, numerous mountains), some proper remoteness between the Mamores and Grey Corries, and finish off with a decent meal and a pint at the Station House Corrour.

Saundersfoot / Tenby - Lamphey via the coast path (Last 3k on road street inland). Stunning coastal scenery.

Less scenic, but very pleasant nevertheless, Watford - Tring up the Grand Union canal. Peaceful, and a number of pubs en route for ‘refreshment’


If you’re fit and feeling adventurous, Blair Athol to Aviemore via Glen Tilt and the Lairig Ghru. It’s a very, very long day - 14 hours of walking, but definitely doable.

 

[S&CLER]

Kirkby in Furness to Ulverston, 19 miles by rail about 5 by the direct lane, possibilities for scenic walks on footpaths and bridleways in between.

 

[chorleyjeff]

A walking thread might seem a bit odd for a Railway Forum but bear with me. These walks centre around a railway journey.
Recently we have done a few walks which have ended up with the train back to the starting point.

The most recent was the Popular Whitehaven - St Bees (with the train back to Whitehaven)

Others include
Formby - Ainsdale (and train back from Ainsdale to Formby....you get the idea..)
Armthwaite - Wetheral
The tremendously 'exciting' Bolton - Blackrod
Colwyn Bay - Abergele

Some more exciting than others

Can anyone recommend any more good routes?

Id especially be interested in any in Cornwall or South/West side of Devon.

Ribblehead to Horton or Dent.
Horton. Walk up Ingleborough then along the ridge towards Ribblehead.
Ribblehead. walk to Blea Moor then follow the tunnel ventilation shafts to Dent.
Or even Horton to Settle.

 

[chorleyjeff]

A walking thread might seem a bit odd for a Railway Forum but bear with me. These walks centre around a railway journey.
Recently we have done a few walks which have ended up with the train back to the starting point.

The most recent was the Popular Whitehaven - St Bees (with the train back to Whitehaven)

Others include
Formby - Ainsdale (and train back from Ainsdale to Formby....you get the idea..)
Armthwaite - Wetheral
The tremendously 'exciting' Bolton - Blackrod
Colwyn Bay - Abergele

Some more exciting than others

Can anyone recommend any more good routes?

Id especially be interested in any in Cornwall or South/West side of Devon.

Marlow to Maidenhead along the Thames path and Marlow to Henley. Reading to various Thames Valley stations.
Birkenhead to New Brighton alongside the Mersey. West Kirby to New Brighton.
Burscough to Wigan on the Leeds Liverpool canal towpath.
Also the same canal Wigan - Chorley - Blackburn - Burnley
Lytham to Blackpool.
Preston to Lancaster on the Lancaster Canal towpath or a shorter distance Lancaster to Carnforth on the same canal.
Silverdal to Arnside via Arnside Knott.

 

[The exile]

No specific suggestions other than I’ve found it generally more reliable to do things the other way round. Train out and walk back!

 

[py_megapixel]

Whaley Bridge to Buxton
Chinley to Edale

If you pick any two stations between Middlewood and Buxton they will have a lovely walking route between them, although if you pick ones particularly far apart you might find that the walk is a bit long! I think the same probably applies between New Mills and Grindleford

 

[SJL2020]

Aberystwyth-Borth is a very nice coastal walk, and probably an ideal distance if you have a 4yo child with you

 

[[email protected].]

If two trains back is fine, Edale to Glossop as a part of the Pennine Way. A fair climb with lots of views on the walk, plus decent views on the trains back before the city on the way from Glossop, and once you've left the city on the way to Edale.

Great walk, enjoyed on three separate occasions.


Several walks along "The Derwent Valley Heritage Way" Belper through to Matlock with a return train services.

 

[Tester]

I have a particular interest in walking disused railway lines where it is possible to start and finish at different National Rail stations.

Here are a few, with mileages - there are many more (including longer ones) if there is interest!

Woodley	Godley	4	Ex GC (Including turntable pit)
Brunstane	Edinburgh	4	Innocent Railway (including tunnel)
Crystal Palace	Nunhead	6	Ex Crystal Palace High Level branch
Freshford	Oldfield Park	7	Ex S&D - Two Tunnels Greenway
Bentley	Conisbrough	7	Including two viaducts
Pembroke Dock	Johnston	7	Via Neyland
Parton	Workington	8	Via Lowca and Distington
Wombwell	Silkstone Common	8	Ex GC - Trans Pennine Trail
Glengarnock	Howwood	8	Part beside loch
Chapeltown	Penistone	9	Ex GC - via Deepcar (including tunnel)

 

[bspahh]

From Ely, there is a 2-hourly service to Soham. Its then a 7 mile walk back via Barway and then along the river.

The walk from Shippea Hill to Ely is quite nice, along the Hereward way, but the route at has a few miles on includes a few miles on a country road with fast traffic, and a grass verge verge, but no footpath. Instead there is a shorter route on a farm track, which is not a public footpath. There is more on that in this thread

Trip to Shippea Hill and taxi to Ely

I am visiting Shippea Hill station early next week. Can anyone recommend a taxi firm who will take us back to Ely after our visit? I don't want to get there, call a local firm and them think I'm taking the mick and messing around by asking to be picked up there so preferably would like to hear...

www.railforums.co.uk

From Lakenheath to Ely, it adds a nice walk through the RSPB nature reserve. https://www.britishwalks.org/walks/2011/915.php

Ely to Waterbeach is 12 miles with a choice of going East or West of the river. If you go on the Eastern bank, there is the https://www.fivemilesinn.com/ pub halfway. Waterbeach to Cambridge North is 4 miles on a well made path along the river, but it can get a bit busy with cyclists. Near Cambridge North, there is now the new bridge across the river for pedestrians and cyclists next to the railway bridge. From that, its not far to the Museum of Computing History http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/ if you want to play with some 1980s arcade games.

If you get a train to Berney Arms, then you can along the River Yare to Great Yarmouth (5.5 miles, ending up going past the sidings). You could also go to Reedham but from the sounds of http://www.julianwhite.uk/ldwa-100-training-walk-5-berney-arms-to-reedham/ its a bit overgrown in places.

 

[jfollows]

Goostrey to Chelford via Jodrell Bank and a pub. Not a long walk but worth it if you're interested in visiting Jodrell Bank.
EDIT Head west from Goostrey, then north and there are mainly public footpaths to the rail bridge close to the entrance to Jodrell Bank.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

We have this thread in General https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/walking-and-rambling-discussion.216660/ which contains a few ideas from several different people for you.

 

[Killingworth]

Whaley Bridge to Buxton
Chinley to Edale

Just get out an OS map and the Peak District has loads of walks of all lengths using trains, like Chinley to Dore in stages, with many diversions to north and south.

The High Peak & Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership is centred on them. See; https://peakdistrictbytrain.org/ and for walking; https://peakdistrictbytrain.org/things-to-do/walking/

​

 

[ChrisC]

I’ve done quite a few very good canal walks this winter in the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire area where I’ve returned by train. Good for winter walking because you rarely get the deep mud on canal towpaths that you can get on other footpaths.

Two walks along the Chesterfield Canal from Worksop in different directions. Either east to Retford or west to Kiveton Park or Kiveton Bridge.

Ilkeston to Langley Mill along the Erewash Canal. On this walk you can also take a short detour to walk across the Benerley Viaduct which has recently been restored for walkers and cyclists.

The Cromford Canal between Ambergate and Cromford.

Long Eaton to either Beeston or Nottingham along the canal, River Trent and also taking in parts of the Attenborough Nature Reserve. You can either walk to Beeston Station from Beeston Lock or continue along the canal right to within a few yards of Nottingham Station.

 

[Crossover]

Ravensthorpe to Low Moor is one which takes in an old railway line. Needs a couple of trains to get back to the start, but very do-able

Dent to Ribblehead is a good one over the top of Blea Moor tunnel.

Quite a difficult one, from experience (though summer when it is less muddy it may be easier!)