The Upper Don Walk
Route facts
Waterways:
River Don »
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Suitable for: Everyone
Starts at: Bridge Street, Sheffield
Ends at: Station Lane, Oughtibridge, Sheffield
A varied walk which opens up unusual and interesting viewpoints of Sheffield - a city rich in architectural and industrial heritage as well as wooodland, willdife and rural areas.
The Upper Don Walk joins the Five Wiers Walk at Blonk Street under the Wicker Arches - so you can explore the River Don from the rural village of Oughtibridge to the shopping Mecca of Meadowhall.
Getting there
Public transport: There is a frequent bus service from Oughtibridge and Wadsley Bridge to Sheffield City Centre. Alternatively, you can catch the Supertram from Middlewood (Middlewood Road terminus) and Hilsborough.
Waypoints
1. Bridge Street to Kelham Island
Access: easy walk, suitable for wheelchairs until Corporation Street. From Alma street onwards, access is slightly less easy.
Begin your walk on Bridge Street by Lady's Bridge Wier. Notice the excavated foundations of the Millsands steel furnace as you turn down towards the River Don and follow the path to the old Iron Bridge. Cross Corporation Street and follow Alma street past Kelham Island Museum and the pubs to Green Lane and Ball Bridge.
2. The three bridges
Access: comfortable walk, some roads.
Note the 19th century factories around Ball Bridge and the proposed site of the new Brooklyn Bridge. The route now follows Neepsend Lane all the way to Hillfoot Bridge.
Don't cross Hillfoot Bridge; instead continue in the same direction until you find the more secluded Club Mill Road - or pause to take refreshment in the pub on your right.
3. Club Mill Road to Wardsend Cemetery
Access: route is quite rough. Stout boots should be worn and due care taken.
Follow Club Mill Road past Sandbed Wier and the old Silver Rolling Mill. The path here can become quite muddy as it passes another wier and reaches Wardsend Cemetery which is surrounded by trees.
4. To Wadsley Bridge
Access: Some sections are rough and could be muddy. Roads around Hilsborough and Middlewood are likely to be busy.
At Wardsend Cemetery the route forks. From here, take the higher fork for a slightly easier route past Five Arches and along Herries Road to the roundabout and Wadsley bridge.
Alternatively take the lower fork alongside the river (taking great care) and emerge slightly lower on Herries Road South. Walk up and carefully cross the road onto Herries Road where you join the previous route.
If you wish to return the Sheffield City Centre, Walk the opposite direction down Herries Road South and turn left down Penistone Road. Follow this busy road, watching out for traffic, into Hilsborough where there are several bus and tram stops. Alternatively, take Parkside Road into Middlewood and the Supertram terminus.
5. Niagara Weir
Access: comfortable walk following a quiet lane.
Take the third exit onto Penistone Road - and don't worry, you will not be on this busy road for long! Soon you will see an opening to Claywheels Lane on your left. Follow Claywheels Lane past the spectacular Niagra Weir and into Beeley Wood.
6. Beeley Wood and Oughtibridge
Access: the path is a little rough, steep in places and liable to be muddy. It becomes more comfortable towards Oughtibridge.
From the Old Ford and works car park the route becomes a little rougher - but on the plus side it tracks a scenic route along the River Don and through the trees of Beeley Wood. Follow the path of the river all the way into Oughtibridge where you will emerge onto Station Road.
Turn left and follow the road up onto Church Street where you will find a bus stop, a public house and several shops.
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