Pathways > The Pathways book > Miners' tracks
Miners' tracks
Britain's unique geology has blessed - or cursed, depending on your viewpoint - it with a wealth of metals and minerals. They have been exploited from prehistoric times right up to the present day. Some, such as the deep coal seams, have changed our history irrevocably, fuelling the industrial revolution and turning Britain into a global power.
Even in the remotest parts of the country mining was conducted on an industrial scale. Ores were extracted and smelted, with as much of the work taking place on site so there was the minimum to carry out. In farming communities mining offered a supplemental wage, although it was a risky job and earnings were irregular. Miners would often walk to work and stay in cramped conditions for several days in huts at the mine head, rather than travelling daily. You have to remember that they also walked many miles underground in the course of a day's work.
The Yorkshire Dales miners' walk, featured in the book, is free to download once you have joined as a member of Walkingworld.
There is a special thread in the Pathways forum for miners' tracks, should you wish to join in the discussion.
Below is a list of walks relating to mining:
Caernarfonshire
This walk takes you among three of the highest peaks south of the Scottish Border, but is on a well-maintained path with a steady, if constant gradient. It does not present any real problems of navigation and takes you right into the centre of the... More info
This route up Snowdon from Pen-y-Pass is by the Miners' Track and then by a short, steep climb to the Pyg Track and the summit of Snowdon.
The return is by retracing your steps to the Pyg Track and following it back to Pen-y-Pass.... More info
Cumbria
Grisedale Pike rises impressively on the skyline; its slopes cannot be long ignored on visits to the North Western fells. Parts of this ascent are steep and involve a degree of scrambling, however the views and ridge walk from Grisedale to Hopegill... More info
Although this is a short walk and Sheffield Pike is low on the list of Wainwrights, it should not be underestimated. An easy lakeside path is followed by the delightful track to the row of miners' houses named on the map as Seldom Seen. From here... More info
Devon
Bere Ferrers is the most westerly village on the Bere Peninsula and is in an area of outstanding natural beauty bounded by the River Tavy to the east and River Tamar to the west. This short and relatively easy walk takes you through Bere Ferrers to... More info
Visit Dartmoor's metamorphic aureole at Great Noddon, walk alongside the lovely River Lyd and explore the Lyd medieval tin-streaming area as well as visiting one of the best-maintained memorials on Dartmoor. All this in a five-mile walk, yes and more... More info
Durham
A classic route that initially explores the valleys of the River Wear and the Rookhope Burn before taking a delightful moorland walk along the old mineral railway tracks high up on Stanhope Common. The walk concludes with a pleasant panoramic stroll... More info
A walk featuring evidence of the lead-mining activities that played a huge part in forming the history of this interesting area of Weardale. The walk initially passes along the very picturesque valley of the Middlehope Burn with its multitude of... More info
A fairly short but challenging mainly moorland walk from the quiet Harwood valley to cross over Herdship Fell for a walk along an old miners track following the shores of Cow Green Reservoir. The last section covers rough moorland as the walk rises... More info
Gloucestershire
The Mineral Loop. A walk through some of the more remote parts of the forest, mostly on cycle tracks built upon old railway lines.... More info
Gwynedd
If you're interested in mountain summits, industrial archaeology and a walk in Snowdonia away from the crowds, then this walk from Tanygrisiau to the summit of Moelwyn Mawr should be just your thing.... More info
A linear, high-level walk from Ogwen Cottage to Capel Curig. The character of the route changes dramatically halfway through the walk, leaving the grandeur of Bwlch Tryfan and the Miners Track for the wide open spaces of Y Foel Goch, before... More info
Starting in the stunning valley of Snowdon on Llanberis pass from Nant Peris (Old Llanberis). This walk climbs some of the peaks of the Glyder Mountain Range, ascending up the steep slopes of Y Garn along the waterfalls of Afon Las and up to Llyn Y... More info
Northumberland
This is Part 1 of a 30km walk. This route follows trails used by the old leadminers across the moors between Allenheads and Allendale. Please see Part 2, Walk 491.... More info
Pembrokeshire
Starting from Kilgetty, this walk follows the Miners' Walk for the outward route but leaves this Lansker Walk to return through Kilgetty Woods.... More info
The walk starts outside Saundersfoot and uses part of the Miners' Walk to drop down to the sea. After exploring as much as you like of Saundersfoot, the return route is through mixed woodland. ... More info
Powys
A good opportunity to wander round the Access Land of Corndon Hill and its little brother, Lan Fawr. You can then have refreshment at the Miner's Arms in the pretty village of Priest Weston, ready for the climb back up to the ancient Mitchell's Fold... More info
Yorkshire
An excellent walk over moorland, mainly on paths and tracks but with a little pathless terrain. There are fascinating old smelting mill workings reached by a miners' track and an interesting river crossing. Walk featured in the 'Pathways' book.... More info
Asturias
This wonderfully contrasting hike in the north central Picos de Europa follows ways created by the mining industry. Apart from the industrial history, we shall enjoy truly breathtaking mountain scenery, alpine-like pastures and cool beech forests.... More info