| Midshires Way | |
|---|---|
 Trail marker showing the double-acorn emblem of the Midshires Way | |
| Length | 223.8 miles (360.2 km)[1] |
| Location | England |
| Established | 1994 |
| Trailheads | Bledlow Stockport |
| Use | Hiking Cycling Horse riding |
TheMidshires Way is along-distance footpath andbridleway that runs for 230 miles (370 km) from theChiltern Hills from nearBledlow inBuckinghamshire, through theMidlands counties ofNorthamptonshire,Leicestershire,Nottinghamshire andDerbyshire, toStockport,Greater Manchester. It also links several other long-distance walking routes ortrackways includingThe Ridgeway, thePennine Bridleway and theTrans Pennine Trail.[2]
The route was opened in 1994 as a collaboration between numerous Local Authorities and user groups. It is intended as a multi-user trail but there are places where the recommended route for walkers differs from the route for horse riders and cyclists.
The Midshires Way starts from Wain Hill (SP770012), between Bledlow andChinnor.[3] From there it runs nearPrinces Risborough north toWaddesdon and on toWinslow then in a northwest direction passing through the town ofMilton Keynes. North of the town it passes to the west ofStoke Goldington before crossing the county border intoNorthamptonshire.[4]
There is a 46-mile (74 km) section in Northamptonshire. BetweenNorthampton andMarket Harborough it follows theBrampton Valley Way along the route of adisused railway line, passing through two tunnels. One section within Northampton runs close to theGrand Union Canal atBlisworth Junction inRothersthorpe, Northampton.[4]
It enters Leicestershire just south ofSutton Bassett and heads northwards for 31 miles (50 km), crossing into Nottinghamshire just north ofOld Dalby.[2]
After passing throughWilloughby on the Wolds it tracks west, turning north just outsideKegworth before turning north towards Derbyshire.[4]
The Derbyshire section starts atSawley nearLong Eaton running toDuffield then linking with theHigh Peak Trail close toWirksworth. The route passes through thePeak National Park and on toBuxton. The trail then follows theGoyt Valley towards Stockport.[5]
In the final section it enters Greater Manchester at theEtherow Country Park atCompstall running on to meet the Trans Pennine Trail in theTame Valley. The trail finishes at Stockport (SJ893903).[6] The section betweenWhaley Bridge (Derbyshire) and Compstall is separately waymarked and marketed as theGoyt Way.[7]
Media related toMidshires Way at Wikimedia Commons
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