Sheffield 20s & 30s Walking Group

Walk leaders: Jonathan & Catherine
Difficulty: Moderate
Start time: 10:00
End time: 16:30
Start and end point (circular route): Endcliffe Park Café, The Old Pavilion, Endcliffe Park, Rustlings Road, Sheffield S11 7AB
Distance (in miles): 12
Ascent (in meters): 463
Is your walk dog friendly?: No

Full description:
This will be a joint walk with the Sheffield 40s Walking Group. We meet at Endcliffe Park Café (please arrive early if you’d like refreshments) to begin our wondrous walk of Sheffield’s western watercourses. We stroll through the park and into Porter Valley, where we will pass Shepherd Wheel, a working museum in a former water-powered grinding workshop, and Forge Dam, an old industrial millpond.

We ascend the valley to the Sheffield Rotary Club Viewpoint, from which landmarks over 50 miles away can be seen on a clear day. From there we cross Rud Hill and descend to Redmires Reservoirs, which were built to provide Sheffielders with clean drinking water following the cholera epidemic of 1832.

From the reservoirs we head to Wyming Brook Nature Reserve, with its babbling streams and mossy crags teeming with wildlife, and on to Rivelin Dams with their lush surrounding woodland. A saunter though Lodge Moor and Fulwood takes us back to Forge Dam (time for an ice cream at the café?), then we return to Endcliffe Park via Porter Valley, taking the path on the other side of the river this time.

This route includes a mixture of country roads, surfaced tracks and unsurfaced moorland paths. There are stiles and some steep gradients. Conditions underfoot can be muddy and wet, so sturdy footwear and suitable clothing are recommended. Please also bring a packed lunch.

Public transport or car sharing options:
There are a large number of bus services which stop at Endcliffe Park. Options include: 6, 65, 81, 82, 83, 88, 181, 272 Peak Link, 786. There is car parking available at Endcliffe Park and in the streets around it, but public transport is advised.

Walk leader: Lee
Difficulty: Leisurely
Start time: 1.30pm
End time: 4.30pm
Start point: Hathersage Railway Station
End point: Hathersage village
Distance (in miles): 7
Is your walk dog friendly?: No

Full description:
This exquisite, delightful walk starts at Hathersage railway station. We begin the walk through enchanted woodland and moorland to arrive at the bottom of Stanage Edge. Taking in the spectacular scenery, we proceed up to Bole Hill to admire the breathtaking panoramic views. Continuing to walk over rolling, lush green fields, we made our way to Hope Valley Ice Cream, (Thorpe Farm) where we can devour delicious homemade ice cream!

Public transport or car sharing options:
Buses 271, 272 or 218 run from Sheffield to the centre of Hathersage. You can also take the train.

Walk leader: Liam
Difficulty: Moderate
Start time: 10:30
End time: 17:00
Start and end point (circular route): The Greyhound Hotel at Cromford, DE4 3QE
Distance (in miles): 11
Is your walk dog friendly?: Yes, well-behaved dogs kept on a lead

Full description:
Starting from The Greyhound, we make our way along the scenic Derwent Valley via Bow Wood, Lea Mills and Holloway to the memorial stand, Crich stand, built in 1923. We'll have lunch by the stand and get an opportunity to go to the top of the stand (50p entry fee in coins) to get a great view of the Amber and Derwent Valley.

Then, we walk through Crich village, back down the Derwent Valley towards Cromford Canal and walk along the canal towpath along Whatstandwell village, Gregory's tunnel, Leawood Aqueduct cottage and Pumphouse and the High Peak Junction workshops. Finally it's an easy wander back to The Greyhound in Cromford for a drink.

Public transport or car sharing options:
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Catch X17 bus to the Greyhound Hotel, Cromford departing Sheffield Interchange stand D4 at 8:39, arriving at Cromford Greyhound for 10:09. PLEASE double check that the bus goes to Wirksworth. Returning buses from Cromford Greyhound are at 14:49, 15:49, 16:49 and 17:49.

PARKING: Car parking is available at Cromford Wharf, Cromford Mills or Cromford Rugby Club Car Parks. All are a 10-minute walk away from the start. If you’re planning to drive, please offer lifts in the Meetup comments.

Walk leader: Serena
Difficulty: Leisurely
Start time: 10.30
End time: 15.00
Start and end point (circular route): Manchester Road/More Hall Lane bus stop
Distance (in miles): 8
Ascent (in meters): 200
Is your walk dog friendly?: Yes, well-behaved dogs kept on a lead

Full description:
We’ll begin our walk at More Hall Reservoir, where we’ll see the small hamlet that once housed the workers who built the dams in the early 20th century. As we walk along the water’s edge, we’ll trace the path of the old Ewden Railway, built to bring in supplies and labour from Wharncliffe Wood during construction. The reservoirs we’re exploring today were created in response to deadly cholera outbreaks in Sheffield in the 1830s, when the city urgently needed a clean and reliable water supply. Work began in 1913, paused during the First World War, and was completed in the 1930s. As we continue, we’ll pass More Hall Dam, which acts as a compensation reservoir, and make our way toward Broomhead, the main supply reservoir. Along the way, we’ll notice the impressive earthworks carved into the valley—reminders of the landslips and geological challenges faced by the engineers, who had to remove hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of material to stabilise the site.

Climbing gently between the reservoirs, we’ll enjoy sweeping views over the Ewden Valley, shaped by ancient sandstone and layered with history. We’ll spot the site of the old settlement of Wigtwizzle and, if the water levels are low, we might even glimpse archaeological traces from as far back as the Mesolithic—flint tools, pottery fragments, and signs of Roman activity have all been found here. Our walk also invites us to reflect on the broader legacy of the cholera epidemic: not only did it lead to cleaner water, but also to the creation of better-planned cemeteries and burial grounds across Sheffield. As we loop back through woodland paths and along the quiet shores of Broomhead Reservoir, we’ll be walking through a landscape that holds centuries of human endeavour—from ancient camps and medieval farms to public health reform and interwar engineering.

Public transport or car sharing options:
Bus 57 leaves from Paternoster Row/SS2 at 9.54, arriving 10.26. To return, bus 57 or 57a run approximately every 30 minutes. If driving, on road parking may be available at Wharncliffe Side. Public transport is encouraged.