The Trans-Pennine Trail in Rotherham
The Trans-Pennine Trail runs from Southport to Hornsea weaving its way
through Liverpool, Warrington, Stockport, Manchester, Barnsley, near Doncaster, through Selby
and Hull to Hornsea. There are various side-tracks to Sheffield, Chesterfield and Rotherham,
and also to Leeds and York for those so inclined.
There are 350 miles suitable for walkers and cyclists with much of the path being suitable for
horse riders also. There are sections with easy gradients and surfaced paths suitable for
wheelchairs and pushchairs. I don't intend to look at the whole route here - you can visit
the website below for more information.
The Trans-Pennine Trail enters the Borough of Rotherham at its north western side where the various footpaths from Elsecar all lead to Wentworth. Walkers continue through Wentworth Park, past Wentworth Woodhouse. Cyclists and horse riders follow a tracery of minor roads and bridleways through Thorpe Hesley and over the M1 to rejoin the Trail on the old railway line at Shiregreen. The Trail follows park paths and roads to Meadowhall Shopping Centre where walkers and cyclists can join the towpath of the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation and head for the delights of Rotherham, passing Blackburn Meadows Nature Reserve and skirting round the back of Magna. The Trail then heads south along the River Rother to Rother Valley Country Park where it meets the Chesterfield Canal where you can go south to Chesterfield or north to Sheffield. You are then up a gum tree because you have to turn round and go back the way you came if you ever want to reach Hornsea.
From Elsecar the Trail also heads due east, a much quicker way to get to Hornsea without the diversion south. This way the Trail passes by the Old Moor Wetland Centre and through Manvers Park to Wath upon Dearne and from Wath and on out of the Borough eastwards.
I have read some reviews of the paths and they appear to offer reasonably easy and agreeable walking with accommodation available all along the route. The Trail often has several options - chose the easy one unless you are a hardened hiker.
I am advised that beyond Doncaster the Trail is easy enough to follow but there is virtually no accommodation to be had (believe me you are in the boondocks out there) until you reach Selby way.
For more information about the Trans-Pennine Trail visit their website
http://www.transpenninetrail.org.uk.