Midshires Way
{{short description|Long-distance footpath in England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox hiking trail
|name=Midshires Way
|photo=Midshires-way-sign.jpg
|caption=Trail marker showing the double-acorn emblem of the Midshires Way
|location=England
|designation=
|length={{convert|223.8|mi}}{{cite web |url=https://ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Midshires+Way |title=Midshires Way |publisher=Long Distance Walkers Association |access-date=1 June 2023}}
|use=Hiking
Cycling
Horse riding
|established=1994
|elev_change=
|highest=
|lowest=
|difficulty=
|season=
|sights=
|hazards=
}}
The Midshires Way is a long-distance footpath and bridleway that runs for {{convert|230|mi|km|0}} from the Chiltern Hills from near Bledlow in Buckinghamshire, through the Midlands counties of Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, to Stockport, Greater Manchester. It also links several other long-distance walking routes or trackways including The Ridgeway, the Pennine Bridleway and the Trans Pennine Trail.{{cite web |url=http://www.leics.gov.uk/midshires_way |title=The Midshires Way in Leicestershire |publisher=Leicestershire County Council |date=20 February 2012 |archive-date=16 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916012650/http://www.leics.gov.uk/midshires_way |access-date=18 April 2018}}
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.
Buckinghamshire section
The Midshires Way starts from Wain Hill ({{gbmappingsmall|SP770012}}), between Bledlow and Chinnor.[http://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Midshires+Way Midshires Way LDWA], Accessed 15 September 2014 From there it runs near Princes Risborough north to Waddesdon and on to Winslow then in a northwest direction passing through the town of Milton Keynes. North of the town it passes to the west of Stoke Goldington before crossing the county border into Northamptonshire.[http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/routeslinkswalks/midshires-way-walking-route# GPS routes Map], Accessed 16 September 2014
Northamptonshire section
There is a {{convert|46|mi|adj=on}} section in Northamptonshire. Between Northampton and Market Harborough it follows the Brampton Valley Way along the route of a disused railway line, passing through two tunnels. One section within Northampton runs close to the Grand Union Canal at Blisworth Junction in Rothersthorpe, Northampton.
Leicestershire section
It enters Leicestershire just south of Sutton Bassett and heads northwards for {{convert|31|mi|km|0}}, crossing into Nottinghamshire just north of Old Dalby.
Nottinghamshire section
After passing through Willoughby on the Wolds it tracks west, turning north just outside Kegworth before turning north towards Derbyshire.
Derbyshire section
The Derbyshire section starts at Sawley near Long Eaton running to Duffield then linking with the High Peak Trail close to Wirksworth. The route passes through the Peak National Park and on to Buxton. The trail then follows the Goyt Valley towards Stockport.{{cite web |url=https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/images/Midshires%20Way%202_tcm44-208286.pdf |title=Midshires Way (Derbyshire Section Two) |publisher=Derbyshire County Council |access-date=18 April 2018}}
Greater Manchester section
In the final section it enters Greater Manchester at the Etherow Country Park at Compstall running on to meet the Trans Pennine Trail in the Tame Valley. The trail finishes at Stockport ({{gbmappingsmall|SJ893903}}).{{cite web |url=http://www.stockport.gov.uk/services/leisureculture/parksandrecreation/countryside/countrysidewalks/midshiresway |title=The Midshires Way |publisher=Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council |archive-date=16 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916033949/http://www.stockport.gov.uk/services/leisureculture/parksandrecreation/countryside/countrysidewalks/midshiresway |access-date=18 April 2018}} The section between Whaley Bridge (Derbyshire) and Compstall is separately waymarked and marketed as the Goyt Way.{{cite web |url=https://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Goyt+Way |title=Goyt Way |publisher=Long Distance Walkers Association |access-date=19 April 2018}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Attached KML|display=inline,title}}
{{Commons category-inline|Midshires Way}}
{{Transport in Buckinghamshire}}
Category:Long-distance footpaths in England
Category:Footpaths in Buckinghamshire
Category:Footpaths in Northamptonshire
Category:Footpaths in Leicestershire
Category:Footpaths in Nottinghamshire