Walks in and around Stocksbridge

Stocksbridge Circuit

Source: Stockbridge Walkers are Welcome.

Length - 13.0 miles.

A long walk on the high ground surrounding Stocksbridge and Deepcar. Starting in Bolsterstone the route takes in Wharncliffe Crags, part of the Trans Pennine Trail, Hunshelf Bank, Undebank Reservoir, Wind Hill and Whitwell Moor. The route follows the high ground at around 1000ft but drops down to cross rivers on three occasions.

Grade: a long walk. Well defined paths. Some rough ground and stiles.

Start: Bolsterstone Village.

Parking: Bolsterstone Village.

Public transport: bus to Bolsterstone

Refreshments - Castle Inn, Bolsterstone, Underbank Outdoor Activity Centre (seasonal).

Public Toilets - In Bolsterstone

For detailed information and a downloadable, illustrated booklet (from which the above photo is taken) and map, please visit www.stocksbridge-walkers.org.uk/Walks/StocksbridgeCircuit.html

Whitwell Moor from Stocksbridge Leisure Centre

Source: Stockbridge Walkers are Welcome.

Length - 3.0 miles.

The route climbs steadily from Stocksbridge Leisure Centre, past farms and on to moorland before reaching the trig point. The route continues into quiet woodland which contains ancient earthworks and the remains of mill stone production. The walk returns to the leisure centre by a trackway with an old guidestoop.

Grade: well-defined paths. Can get muddy in places in wet weather. Some stiles and rough ground.

Start: Stocksbridge Leisure Centre, Moorland Drive, Stocksbridge, Sheffield S36 1EG.

Parking: Stocksbridge Leisure Centre.

Public transport: 23 (from Penistone), 57 and 201 Bus routes, Stocksbridge Leisure Centre.

Refreshments - Stocksbridge Leisure Centre

For detailed information and a downloadable, illustrated booklet (from which the above photo is taken) with map, please visit www.stocksbridge-walkers.org.uk/Walks/WhitwellMoor.html

Stocksbridge to Isle of Skye Quarry and Tin Mill ponds

Source: Stockbridge Walkers are Welcome.

Length - 4.5 miles.

A walk from Stocksbridge town centre up Hunshelf bank to the disused Isle of Skye Quarry which is being developed into a nature area. The route then crosses fields and passes through mature woods as it drops down to the River Don and the Tin Mill ponds. The route returns to Stocksbridge Town Hall by Ellen Cliff and the Ford Lane path through the demolished steel works.

Grade: well marked paths, stone stiles, some rough ground, can be muddy in wet weather.

Start: Stocksbridge Town Hall, Manchester Road, Stocksbridge.

Parking: Lidl Car Park, public section at at the end furthest from the car park entrance.

Public transport: 57 and SL; 23 (from Penistone)

Refreshments: Various cafes and shops in the town centre.

Public toilets: coin operated unit opposite the Town Hall.

For full route information and illustrated PDF with map, please visit www.stocksbridge-walkers.org.uk/Walks/Skye.html

Photo: Stocksbridge Walkers.

A walk around Wharncliffe Woods from Deepcar

Source: Stocksbridge Walkers are Welcome.

Length - 2.3 or 2.7miles

Wharncliffe woods and Wharncliffe crags cover an area of several square miles. There is plenty of wildlife to watch out for, including tree pipits, nightjars, newts, and dragonflies. There are a number of forest tracks and paths that crisscross the woods. Most of the tracks and paths are not marked on any maps. Once you are familiar with the overall layout of the woods it is good to wander off up paths and see where they take you.

There is a choice of a shorter or longer version of this walk. Both walks starts by following the River Don and then climbing up through the woods. The path then emerges at the high point of the crags. Views across the Don valley and over Deepcar, past Stocksbridge to The Pennines and the Woodhead Pass in the far distance. Returning through the woods, past a large pond to the starting point.

Grade: total ascent 400 ft. Uneven surface. Muddy in wet weather. Exposed cliff edge.

Start: Station Road, Deepcar. Just beyond the Lowood Club.

Parking: Station Road

Public transport: Bus to Carr Road, Manchester Road.

Refreshments: none on the route.

Public toilets: none on the route.

For full route information and illustrated PDF with map, please visit http://www.stocksbridge-walkers.org.uk/Walks/WharncliffeWoods.html

Photo: Stocksbridge Walkers.

Stocksbridge Heritage Trail

Source: Stone to Steel

Length - 15½ km / 9½ miles

Stone to Steel is a project celebrating 10,000 years of human history in the Upper Don Valley, covering an area of approximately ten square miles around Stocksbridge.

It encompasses the towns and villages of Stocksbridge, Midhopestones, Wharncliffe Side, Oughtibridge, Bolsterstone, Deepcar and Grenoside.

There are 6 walks available to download on the Stone to Steel website, www.stonetosteel.org.uk.

This one follows the development of the town of Stocksbridge itself. Sights include mine workings, Stocksbridge steel works, the Steel Valley Walk and Underbank reservoir.

For full route information and illustrated PDF with map, please visit www.stonetosteel.org.uk/heritage_trails.php.

Photo: Samuel Fox iron and steel works - Wikicommons.

Parsonage Farm and Townend Common

Source: Stone to Steel

Length - 5½ km / 3½ miles

Another Stone to Steel walk: Parsonage Farm and the Ewden Valley on an easy going trail with some steep climbs.

Sights include Parsonage Farm , Bitholmes Wood, Walder's Low, Ewden Valley.

Parsonage Farm was established near Townend Common 700 years ago. Owned by a local church it was the Parson's home.

Bitholmes Wood is ancient woodland dating to at least 1600 AD. As early as the Middle Ages it was used for hunting game, more recently for mining and quarrying.

Walder’s Low, is a mound of earth and stone believed to date from the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. It may have been reused as a burial chamber for Walder, a Saxon chief. Being approximately 5000 years old, this monument is about the same age as Stonehenge.

For full route information and illustrated PDF with map, please visit www.stonetosteel.org.uk/heritage_trails.php.

Map and text taken from the leaflet above.