Uppshe three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

A great Peak District Dark Peak walk in grit stone county. Stiles, steps, tree roots so not a wheel route but you will meet those on two wheels. Not much in the way of services but some seats. Can be muddy in places and some road crossing need extra care. Generally well plotted but a detailed map is useful and there is a fault with the plot by the Winter Garden in Sheffield but it’s easy to resolve.

I walked into Sheffield having taken the bus to Fairholmes which the driver told me is now served by one service every day. On my last visit the timetable only offered a Sunday service. Good news for this hub which has good daytime services but shuts down at night.

The walk warms us up along the old road, where typically I met the post van but nothing else. Leaving the circumnavigation path the Peak and Northern Footpaths Society (PNFS) sign directs us on a public footpath? To Moscar, this path is now a bridleway, so good job I didn’t have words with the cyclists. It’s well paved and there a great National Trust shelter part way up, don’t think this is near the top, there lots more ascent on this Slow Way.

Another misleading PNFS sign which ignores bridleway rights but it helps us with directions to Moscar. It’s rough going with lumps of exposed grit stone, so head down to avoid a trip and essential stops to admire the view.

We cross over the popular and well walked Derwent Edge path with it’s outcrops, each with a name that someone imagined perhaps after a pint or three. I’m now alone as I drop down then up to Moscar House, passing another sign on the way.

Moscar Cross Road, a Byway fortunately remains closed to four wheel vehicles until 31 May so it’s peaceful apart from the distant roar of motor bikes on the main road. The next section of Byway was open, perhaps because we have now left Derbyshire. The road was not too busy and offers an excellent view across the valley.

Our path leaves the road, well signed by Bradfield Parish Council and just over the wall is a seat with a great view and close to half way. The path splits but our route is easy to follow as we now share our navigation with the waymarked Peak District Boundary Walk. The busy road crossing needs care but is not dangerous.

The path alongside the infant River Rivelin is delightful although it needs care with exposed roots and lumps of stone. The sound of fast flowing river and fresh leaves on the trees adds to the beauty of the place. We cross over a well made stone bridge and join a well made track that offers easy walking to the reservoir dam.

Reference to stepping stones is confusing as these are not on Uppshe-3. Passing through Fox Hagg care is needed as there are other well used paths. After passing over a stream the path is rather narrow with a fair drop to one side. There are a number of seat along this stretch, some offer excellent views back up the valley.

Passing along the northern boundary of the golf course there is again a steep drop and in places the path is quite narrow. We are now into the city suburbs but our path hides most of this with trees and even fields across the valley.

There no help crossing the A57 and it must be done to use the single pavement opposite. We are soon back among trees along a winding path that safely takes up around sheer rock faces. I had expected a gentle descent into the city following the river but no, we make another climb to meet urban roads at Crookes for the final two miles.

An excellent walk, outstanding scenery and a nice safe route. Easy to follow, albeit when I walked it the weather was warm and sunny with clear visibility. Navigation skills would be necessary in less favourable conditions. Also there was a footpath closure to the south of Rivelin reservoir and I had to detour to the north and follow the A57 for about a mile. This closure is in place for 9 months and should be re-opened by the end of November 2023. I do however feel it is still worthy of 5 stars. Plenty of steps and stiles to be negotiated on the route.

The most attractive of the three routes with less road walking and styles, although there are several flights of steps.
Additional detours on the route include a number of footpaths that descend into the Rivelin Valley that would give you the option to walk along the River Rivelin on well maintained paths. The first opportunity is near Fox Hagg, leading through the Water Treatment Works onto Manchester Road, however this includes a section of stepping stones which flood after heavy rain.

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