Sett Valley Trail: Hayfield to New Mills

At a Glance

Distance

8.0 km (5.0 miles)

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

2 hr 10 min

Walk Type

River, Woodland, Historic

Route Type

Out and Back

Off Lead Potential

Moderate

Livestock Risk

Low

Facilities

Toilets and picnic area at Hayfield car park; pubs and cafes in Hayfield and New Mills.

Parking

Hayfield Picnic Site car park (old station), Derbyshire County Council, pay and display.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Sett Valley Trail: Hayfield to New Mills dog friendly?

  Yes, it scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. It is flat, traffic-free and easy on older legs, with woodland verges, the River Sett alongside for sections and toilets at the start. The one real caveat is that the path is shared with cyclists and horse riders, so dogs need good manners around bikes and horses.

• Can dogs be off lead at Sett Valley Trail: Hayfield to New Mills?

  Yes, in places, if your dog has good recall. The trail runs along an old railway line away from roads and is mostly separated from the fields, so livestock is rarely met on the path. It is a shared-use route and part of the Pennine Bridleway between Hayfield and Birch Vale, so put your dog on a lead when cyclists or horses come by, and near the town ends.

• What should I know before visiting Sett Valley Trail: Hayfield to New Mills with my dog?

  The trail is 4km each way, so turn back whenever your dog has had enough. The surface is firm and level, but it can be busy with bikes at weekends. Parking at the Hayfield picnic site is pay and display, with toilets and a picnic area. In New Mills the trail links to the Torrs Riverside Park in the gorge below the town, which is worth the short extra walk.

Hayfield Picnic Site Car Park, Station Road, Hayfield, High Peak SK22 2ES

53.3790, -1.9477