New Mills Millennium Bridge and the Sett Valley Trail

Jim Grindle

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The walk is based upon the Heritage and Information Centre, where there is a small café and a museum. A gentle drop to the River Goyt leads to the spectacular Millennium Bridge in a previously inaccessible gorge. This leads to the Sett Valley Trail and then a loop over open country to the south and a return by the river to the gorge and the start. The walk was done twice, the second time by tracks and lanes to avoid the wet ground so common this year (2012/2013). This gives a choice at two points that are indicated in the text. The highest point reached is 310m (about 1,000 feet) so there are good views to be had.

England - Central England - Derbyshire - Peak District

Features

Birds, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Great Views, Industrial Archaeology, Moor, Museum, Play Area, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Waterfall, Wildlife

9/9/2020 - Simon Worrall

Walked September 2020. Referring to previous comments (1) the Millennium Bridge has now re-opened and (2) the section between WP 6 and 7 has also re-opened although the gravel path has been re-routed around the rock face (now used for climbing) towards the community funded small hydro-electric power station and around to the left on to to a new wooden bridge which you cross and then bear right taking the lower path along a short section of river bank towards the steps at WP 7. NOTE - After turning off the Sett Valley Trail at WP 12 this short section up to the road is now through a grassed children's playground. No navigation issues encountered on the walk but the section from WP 7 along the Sett Valley Trail up towards WP15, which comprises nearly a third of the walk in distance, is virtually all tarmac path /road and isn't particularly 'attractive' with very few open views in the direction of travel. However from WP15 you hit some fields with the remainder of the walk being more rewarding on the eye before returning to the interesting historic industrial area down by the Goyt / Torr's Gorge.

10/20/2018 - Ian Dodd

Thanks to Nick for the diversion at WM6 as the path is still closed at this point, nearly three years later. Since the end of August 2018 the Millennium Bridge is also closed, due to 'drainage' problems. There is no indication as to how long this closure will last, so in the meantime you might as well begin the walk by turning left instead of right at WM1 which takes you down the steps which you return to at WM27 at the end of the walk. (We realised this after we had followed the walk as far as WM5 and then retraced our steps back to the Heritage Centre.) Apart from that this is a beautiful walk with lovely paths and great views.

1/31/2016 - Nick Freeman

Followed this walk on 30/01/16 - The route is closed for a short distance between points 6 & 7 due to a risk of rockfall from the overhanging cliff. This looks like it will be a long term closure. Take the steps on your right up to the road, turn left, cross the road and follow to the Leisure Centre where you can rejoin the route down a short flight of steps adjacent to the bridge at SK001855. No problems at point 23 as previously reported and so it appears that diversion is no longer needed. Hope this helps. Nick.

1/2/2015 - Cath Leahy

A great walk to windy days as you're fairly sheltered most of the way round. One small change at point 23 where the footpath is closed until June 2015. If you walk along the road for about 200 metres and there's another track off to the left which goes under the railway bridge and rejoins the main walk just around point 24.