Uppshe two

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I walked this in early May on a fine day, starting at Fairholmes visitors centre. The weather had been mostly dry beforehand. It took just over 4 hours with no stops. It shares segments with other UppShe routes, so there is some overlap with reviews there.

Cyclists can follow a lot of the route, but must take a bridleway further south across Derwent moor, should pass through Moorwood at the end of Rodside instead of taking the footpath, and when crossing the Rivelin at Tofts will have to work a route out to get to the top of Crookes, probably using Long Lane, etc. The route passes through fields of sheep with lambs so dogs must be on leads.

My dark peak map got me as far as the urban part of Sheffield. You'll want to wear boots if it's been raining. Only the crossing of Derwent Moor has rough ground and there is a paved path up half of it and a good track across the heather thereafter.

The ground is road until you turn off to climb the moor. That path is a stone slabs until you get past 3 barns where it turns to dirt track. From there you're on dirt and heather until Moscar Cross where it's mostly farm tracks and then roads to the River Rivelin in the valley bottom. The long, steep climb to the top of the hill is along woodland paths, which can be muddy, although I did finish with mostly clean boots. At the top, you emerge onto city streets and descend to the finish. There are some stiles and gates, and an S-shaped chicane/gate at the Rivelin bridge.

There are a few things to see en route. The Derwent dam is an impressive sight when the water is flowing over the wall. You can walk 5 minutes up the road to see a small statue to the Dambusters and also a memorial behind a locked gate. The route takes you right past Moscar Cross. Brontë fans will be pleased to note that this is supposedly Whitcross, the place where Jane Eyre was chucked off the coach when she fled Thornfield Hall. You'll only pass the Rivelin briefly but the bridge is next to the pond that used to feed the Hind Wheel used to grind cutlery. Needless to say, the views all along the route are impressive, even the view of the city from the top as you walk down to town. At the end of Conduit Road in Sheffield, is Weston Park museum, which is free, although it's worth a trip in itself. Blake Street - England's 3rd steepest street - is about half a km away on the same side of the hill as Conduit. Overall, I prefer the UppShe3 route, which stays by the Rivelin, rather than taking the road, but you do get to see more on this one, walking up on the hillside along the valley. This one does let you make good time, too.

Route-finding was easy for the most part. The turn-off from the side of Ladybower up to Derwent Moor is shortly after a loop in the path to cross over a stream via a bridge. At the turn-off, there is a gate across the road, and another gate next to it which is across the uphill path that you want. Keep going up, through a small yard with 3 barns. The path passes along the top edge of some trees and at the end of that, cross the open moor on a maze of tracks to get up to the 4 or 5-way junction on top of Derwent Moor. That maze of tracks will be invisible in snow, so aim for the rightmost rock formation, "Wheel Stones", on the skyline (if you can see it). The junction is a few hundred metres to the south of them and has a sign post that points you to Moscar.

After a long march along the road at RodSide, the path to turn onto is at a 3-way road junction, with the path forming a fourth way. That goes South a few minutes before you go East again at a copse and farmhouse. The paths through the woods on the South side of the Rivelin are a bit of a maze. Once over the river, and a little up the side, you generally walk along the hill side rather than up or down it. The path in the wood parallels an open field downhill of you until it reaches Holly Hagg farm. The path goes below the southern farm edge, over the road, through some allotments, and then into the carpark where you turn uphill, crossing the road and a stile, and climb Jackey Bank up to a housing estate.

The most important hazard would be the weather. Do check the mountain weather forecast. Like the other reviewer, I wasn't keen on some of the road sections. I didn't mind the traffic so much on Rod Side, which is extremely light and on a long, straight road with good visiblity. The road through Bingley is busier and so more likely to have both ways passing at once. This stretch is a lot shorter though. The climb up Jackey Bank to Crookes is a mudslide after heavy rain, despite having some steps, and it's easy to slip, especially coming down.

At the start there are toilets, information and a food and drink kiosk that proudly claims to be open every day except Christmas Day from 0800 while 1800. The third of the 3 barns I mentioned above has a bench inside and makes a good spot for a break. There's not much between there to Flash Farm which has another bench just before the turn down Dobb Lane. When you get to Tofts, the Rivelin pub a chance to sit down or more. At the top of the valley, you'll pass through Crookes main street where there are shops, cafés and takeaways. And after that is Sheffield city centre.

To get to Fairholmes on public transport, there is a Hulleys' 257 bus from Sheffield. On Monday-Saturdays, only 1 bus goes from Sheffield in the morning and only 1 bus goes back again in the evening. There are more Sunday services. Check Hulleys' web site. I have no information about other public transport links there. Bamford station is nearest railway station but it's a way to go. At the end of Bingley Lane, the 81 Stannington to Sheffield bus is very near the route. From Crookes shops there is the 52/52a, and from Glossop Road onwards there are a number of transport services, although you're near the end by then.

There is a long stretch of road waling on this road, it is only a B road but, the cars do come past at speed on the road and there are no footpaths. There are alternative routes that can be used, they are slightly longer but, you wouldn't spend as much time on the road.

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