The 8 Best Scenic Walks in South Yorkshire
Get inspired to lace up your boots and head outside with the best scenic walks in South Yorkshire.
When you think of Yorkshire walks, you might automatically turn to the Dales or the coastal paths, but you don’t want to miss out on the southern part of England’s largest county.
Walks around here range from family-friendly strolls to more advanced hikes. So whether you’re looking for a muddy tramp in the hills or a more urban stroll in the centre of Sheffield, there’s a scenic walk in South Yorkshire made for you.
If you’re staying for a few days and fancy holidaying outdoors, Pitchup offers a huge range of camping accommodation in the area, from dog-friendly sites to holiday parks with playgrounds for younger kids – and if you fancy a bit of luxury, there are plenty of glamping sites too.
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The Five Weirs Walk
An urban walk along the River Don
If you fancy a more urban walk, this one’s for you. The Five Weirs Walk starts from Lady’s Bridge in Sheffield and runs along the towpath next to the River Don all the way to Meadowhall.
The walk passes five weirs (as you may have guessed from the name), along with lots of riverside industrial buildings. It also goes through the Salmon Pastures Nature Reserve – so there’s a real variety of views to see.
The trail is pleasingly flat and links up with the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal towpath so it can be made into a loop walk rather than an out-and-back.
Worsbrough Mill Country Park
A working water mill and reservoir walk
The 1.5-mile walk around the 60-acre reservoir at Worsbrough Mill Country Park, on the edge of Barnsley, is popular with birdwatchers, and it’s also an easy, flat walk to do with young children. Water birds feed on the reservoir, which also attracts anglers chasing carp (if you’re looking to go game fishing yourself, take a look at Pitchup’s guide to carp fishing in South Yorkshire).
The 17th-century water mill still works and there’s a tearoom that serves pizzas, sandwiches and sweet treats – if you need a little encouragement to get moving, the promise of food and drink at the end of your walk might be incentive enough…
Broomhead Reservoir
A woodland walk that ends at a pub
Want a walk that ends at a good pub? The two-mile circular walk around Broomhead Reservoir should be just the right length to help you feel like you deserve a pint and/or a decent meal afterwards.
This walk, a few miles from Sheffield, goes through the woodland of the Peak District National Park, with glimpses of the reservoir along the way. It’s worth noting this path is unsurfaced, so it’s best to wear decent walking shoes that won’t send you flying into the mud.
Park on the roadside near More Hall Reservoir and finish up at the friendly Castle Inn in Bolsterstone (check ahead for kitchen opening hours if you’re hoping to eat).
Cannon Hall
South Yorkshire’s best day out for kids and adults
Cannon Hall, between Barnsley and Huddersfield, is a great day out for adults and young kids. For the grown-ups, there’s the country house with a museum and historic fairyland gardens (apparently a popular place for a marriage proposal should you need one…).
For a kid-friendly walk, head next door to the family-owned Cannon Hall Farm. See sheep racing, take a tractor ride, go into the milking parlour or visit the adventure playground to get some energy out. There’s an indoor play area so the rain won’t stop you from having fun here.
Want more like this? See the top things to do in South Yorkshire.
Rother Valley Country Park
A loop walk and a great place for birdwatchers
The path around the lake in the Rother Valley Country Park makes a great place for a countryside stroll near Sheffield. The loop walk is three miles long, and runs through the park’s nature reserve.
This is another popular place for birdwatchers: more than 260 species of bird have been spotted here since the park opened. The park’s also a good place for cyclists if you fancy exploring on two wheels instead.
Rivelin Valley Trail
A wildlife-spotting walk through the woods
This popular path along the fast-flowing River Rivelin is a nature and heritage trail to the west of Sheffield. Walk from either end through the woodland and keep your eye out for the remains of 20 watermills that are scattered along the trail.
If you’re keen on spotting some wildlife, look out for herons paddling in the mill ponds or head over at dusk, when bats often fly around.
Higger Tor
A five-mile walk accessible by public transport
Looking for more of a challenging walk? Try the five-mile loop around Higger Tor. Start from Longshaw Lodge and walk up Burbage Moor, then scramble up the rocky slopes of Higger Tor before finally clambering over boulders to get to Carl Wark. Here, there’s a three-metre-high monumental wall – believed to be neolithic – and lots of odd-shaped rocks to spot as you go down towards your starting point.
There is a train station in Grindleford, about 30 minutes’ walk from Longshaw Lodge, so if you don’t have a car but want to escape from the city, this is a great option.
Family keen on cycling? See the best bike routes in South Yorkshire.
Back Tor
A longer walk in the Peak District National Park
This last walk is a long one, clocking in at about 10 miles and mainly running through South Yorkshire’s section of the Peak District National Park.
Set out from the roadside parking near where Mortimer Road meets Penistone Road and walk across the moorland paths towards the highest point of your hike at Back Tor. On the way down, you’ll walk past three peaceful reservoirs that might make good rest/picnic stops.
This path can be a bit boggy in some areas after it rains, so make sure you’ve got your waterproof boots on.
Want to spend a bit longer in South Yorkshire? Now you’ve got an idea of where the best walks are, take a look at Pitchup’s detailed guides to the North East of England. If you’re keen to take advantage of all that fresh air and dramatic scenery, check out the camping options available on Pitchup.