Dedicated to recovering and preserving our rich heritage of packhorse trails, bridleways and ancient lanes, the South Pennine Packhorse Trails Trust is opening many miles of upland paths for horse riders, cyclists and ramblers as part of the South Pennine Bridleways Network.

When roads were improved in the 1750s–1850s, many old routes fell into disuse,  their origins and purpose forgotten. In the 1950s, when public rights of way were first being recorded on the definitive map, many of the old trails were either not recorded or only recorded as footpaths. But, on the principle of ‘Once a highway, always a highway’, the public’s historic rights over them remained.  These  rights can be claimed on the basis of historical evidence and the status of the route legally recorded on the definitive map.

The Trust works to record these public rights and then physically restores the routes on the ground.  Without the Trust, many of these ancient routes will be lost, for Parliament has decided to extinguish unrecorded rights in 2026.  That may sound a long way in the future, but it can take 10-15 years to get a single route added to the definitive map.  The race is on to save the historic highways of the South Pennines. 

The Trust:

• researches for historical evidence of status

• applies for definitive map modification orders

• presents evidence at public inquiries

• restores routes on the ground

• opens and promotes trails

The Trust was established with financial assistance from voluntary organizations and individuals, environmental trusts, businesses and local and central government.  It has to raise every penny it spends.  It has already raised and invested over £500,000 in opening up 100 km of ancient trails network.  Now, faced with the 2026 cut-off date,  the Trust’s work is even more vital.

By joining the Trust's Supporters' Group you will be helping to ensure its long-term survival.

As a rights of way user your subscription will mean that, for the rest of your life, you and those that come after you will have the freedom to enjoy many miles of country lanes and paths which otherwise would have been blocked or impassable.

You can also help with:

research and claims

riding existing routes

reporting any problems

rediscovering ‘lost’ routes

fundraising

local knowledge