The Longdendale Trail is situated approximately 4 miles north of Glossop, and Torside car park and visitor centre is located half way along the trail off the B6105, giving superb views of the reservoirs and surrounding hills (see picture below). There are other smaller, informal car parks but the webmaster has based the report from Torside due to the facilities available there.

Location, parking and toilet facilities

The car park has several levels and a tarmac surface. There are 7 spaces (picture opposite) by the building housing the shop/ refreshment area. There is a nearby accessible toilet suitable for disabled people. There are a further 3 disabled parking spaces on the upper level, close to the start of the track.

Torside is mid way along the Longdendale Trail.

Torside to Woodhead Tunnel (north easterly direction) - 3¼ miles
Torside to Hadfield (south westerly direction) - 3½ miles

To access the track, take the “Easy Access” route which is at the top of the slope from the car park. This tarmac path zig-zags steadily upwards for a distance of approx. 300 yards and could be difficult for independent wheelchair users. Although I have a power assisted handcycle, I had difficulty in ascending this incline - but well worth the effort!

Through the gates at the top of the incline and travelling along the track to the left (NE direction), the track is of a firm sandy surface (see pic. opposite with wheelchair wheel in view), stony in places. The sandy surface can become very “sticky” and difficult to negotiate during and after wet weather.

Just over 1 mile from the car park is a sharp stony slope (see pic. opposite) about 50 yards in length, up to a small informal car park. Over the car park, then through the gate is a wide cobbled downward slope, again about 50 yards in length.

The path then becomes more stony in places but relatively flat. The path runs alongside the reservoir (opposite) giving spectacular views over the reservoir and surrounding hills.

At 3¼ miles is the closed Woodhead Tunnel. The area immediately in front of the tunnel and platform has a surface of large stone chippings

Starting again from the car park at Torside, the track is again accessed via the zig-zag incline, but this time heading off to the right in a SW direction towards Hadfield.

At 1 mile the track crosses the busy B6105 (see picture opposite). Please take care when crossing - be wary of fast approaching traffic.

The section of track opposite becomes more stony as you approach Hadfield

At 3½ miles is the end of the track at Hadfield. There is a padlocked gate (operated by RADAR key) and there is a slope of 50 yards down to the small car park (no facilities here). The picture opposite shows the car park with incline to padlocked gate arrowed.