Guest blog: Six scenic tracks and trails near train stations
One of the joys of travelling by train is stepping off at a station and straight into a great day out. In this guest blog, Good Journey highlights six scenic tracks and trails across Britain that can all be enjoyed car-free, from coastal walks to traffic-free cycle routes.
By Good Journey
Admire autumn colours, watch for deer and waterbirds, and soak up the scenery on these footpaths and cycle routes. You can reach them all without a car.
The Monsal Trail, Derbyshire
The Monsal Trail is a flat, traffic-free route of 8.5 miles for walkers and wheelers, runners and horse riders. It stretches from Blackwell Mill in Chee Dale to Bakewell. Make your way along this accessible trail through limestone dales and admire spectacular views along the route.
You can stop for a bite to eat and something to drink at various spots along the way. The old stations at Hassop and Millers Dale have cafés and accessible toilets.
The nearest train stations are at Buxton and Matlock, from where you can catch a bus to reach one of the many access points to the trail.
From Bakewell you can hop on a bus, cycle or walk to Chatsworth House. If you’ve cycled or arrived by bus, you can get a free multimedia guide to discover the stories of this beautiful estate.
Walking and cycling trails in Pewsey Vale, Wiltshire
With its rolling downs, historic villages, canal-side pubs and ancient white horses, Pewsey Vale is a fantastic area to explore by both walking and wheeling.
It’s easy to get to by train, with stations at Bedwyn in the east and Pewsey in the centre of the Vale. You can take your pick of walks from both stations thanks to these handy trail guides. There are also many different cycle routes to enjoy, with gentler routes for families and more challenging options for adventurers.
The Wiltshire Connect bus service operates timetabled services and on-demand pick-ups across the Vale of Pewsey. Hop on a bus to and from Pewsey, Bedwyn and Hungerford stations to explore the Vale’s villages and the market towns of Devizes, Marlborough and Hungerford.
Alton Barnes White Horse by Miltof, Flickr
Norfolk Coast Path and parklands
The Norfolk Coast Path runs the full length of the Norfolk coast, and is well served by public transport. Follow the acorn-waymarked footpath past tidal marshes, sandy beaches, shingle, pinewoods and pasture.
You can start at Cromer or Sheringham train stations, or catch a Coasthopper bus from King’s Lynn station to the start of the trail at Hunstanton.
Norfolk also boasts plenty of other walking options:
- Explore 380 acres of woods with beech, oak, sweet chestnut, hawthorn and sycamore trees at Felbrigg Hall.
- Wander through the woods at Sheringham Park and climb the viewing towers to see breathtaking views.
- Take a sandy stroll along the beach to Holkham Hall, which offers nature trails, refreshments, an adventure playground and an elegant 18th century house.
Deer at Holkham by Matt Davey on Unsplash
The Cotswold Way
The Cotswold Way is a 102-mile path that follows the western edge of the Cotswold Hills. It runs from Chipping Campden to the doors of Bath Abbey. The path passes Neolithic burial sites and stately homes, green hills and honey-coloured villages.
For a shorter option, hop on a scenic bus from Moreton-in-Marsh train station to Chipping Campden. From here you can walk the first six miles of the trail to Broadway, passing Broadway Tower. On a clear day you can see as many as 16 counties from here and wave hello to the Welsh mountains.
Get more ideas for car-free walks in the Cotswolds from GWR stations.
Broadway Tower. Colin Watts on Unsplash
The #Falkirk25 Cycling Route
Cycle to the Falkirk Wheel from Edinburgh or Glasgow and see the point where two historic canals meet. Set off from either city along historic canal towpaths, and enjoy a flat, traffic-free route through some of Scotland’s historic relics and stunning scenery. Pedal past aqueducts, museums and through the Falkirk Tunnel, now lit up by atmospheric lighting. Take a wee detour to cycle round the famous Kelpies sculpture by Andy Scott, which is the world’s biggest horse sculpture.
At Falkirk, two canals meet and you can see the Falkirk Wheel – the only rotating boat lift in the world. This feat of engineering connects the Forth & Clyde Canal with the Union Canal.
Falkirk sculpture by Kris Fraser Unsplash
The Mawddach Trail, Snowdonia
The Mawddach Trail is a cycleway and footpath that stretches for 9.5 miles between Dolgellau and Barmouth.
The route follows a disused railway track along the southern edge of the Mawddach estuary, offering stunning views across the water. The trail passes two RSPB nature reserves and various historical sites. There are picnic areas and viewpoints to enjoy along the route.
At the Barmouth end, you cross over the mouth of the estuary via a railway bridge that’s nearly a mile long. It’s a popular path that’s considered one of Eyri National Park’s most flexible and accessible trails. The path is off-road, flat and three metres wide. You can use buses and trains to do the route in sections, with train stations at Morfa Mawddach and Barmouth.
Cambrian Coast Line
About Good Journey
Good Journey provides car-free travel directions to hundreds of top visitor attractions and places to stay across Britain. Enjoy discounts, rewards and freebies when you travel by train and bus to museums, gardens, National Trust properties, water parks and so much more. Check out www.goodjourney.org.uk to get inspiration for your next car-free adventure and to enjoy a day out for less.
