Scrambling and Hiking, Wharncliffe Crags and Woods

Route: Wharncliffe Crags, Wharncliffe Wood, Oughtibridge Hagg, Wharncliffe Chase

Meet at: Roadside parking outside the Lowood Club, Station Road, Deepcar S36 2SQ. As an environmentally conscious group, we actively encourage car sharing. Further details of car sharing arrangements from Sheffield, Manchester and elsewhere will appear in the comments section nearer the time.

This exciting circular hike takes in the contrasting landscapes of wild windswept crags and lush green woodland. As a perennial favourite rock climbing venue of this group, Wharncliffe Edge is a place that many of us are already very familiar with. This pleasant outing will give us the opportunity to explore the entire 3 km length of the crag as well as taking in the splendour of the adjacent Wharncliffe Woods and surrounding countryside.

The full day will include a short but interesting wooded walk passing through tunnels and by a small lake, a very adventurous scrambly hike along the bottom of Wharncliffe Edge, a long stroll through the picturesque Wharncliffe Wood and down to Oughtibridge Hagg before a jaunt up Mouse Park Gate to take us to the wild and rugged plains of Wharncliffe Chase and on to Wharncliffe Heath Nature Reserve before returning to our starting point in Deepcar. Optional social visit to the hiker friendly Lowood Club afterwards.

Photos of our previous outings to Wharncliffe Crags and Woods can be seen here:

https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/32170140/

https://www.meetup.com/Sheffield-Mountaineering-Rock-Climbing-Meet/photos/31171577/

Difficulty: A fair amount of sustained Grade 1 scrambling to begin with before pleasant easy hiking for the rest of the day. This will NOT be a gentle stroll along well made footpaths. Nevertheless it is still suitable for beginners and dogs. For more information on scrambling grades see:

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/understanding-scrambling-grades

Experience Required: No previous experience required, all you need is a reasonable level of fitness, sense of adventure and preparation for any weather.

Duration: Approx. 12 km with height gain of approx. 300 metres. Estimated time 5 to 6 hours.

Ordnance Survey Maps: OS 110 Sheffield and Huddersfield, 1:50 000 Scale.

As always, if everybody wants to contribute £2.00 towards our Meet Up site fees and other operating costs that will be great, thanks.