The full Steel Cotton Rail Trail stretches from Manchester to Sheffield over 62 miles, this route was devised to celebrate the weekend rail escapes to the countryside made by the cotton workers of Manchester and the steel workers of Sheffield in the early 20th century. Our adventure takes in a section that covers the highest point over Edale Cross close to Brown Knoll (569 metres), picking up a section of the Pennine Way from Jacob's Ladder as we descend down into the Hope Valley and some fine river walking along the Derwent. We start at Chinley and pass through the station villages of Edale, Hope and Bamford on the way to our destination at Hathersage. Some sections could be very muddy and a head torch will be essential as we are likely to be finishing after sunset. Total ascent 2,600 feet