I reviewed this walk last year, and I would say the level of accessibility remained the same (quite inaccessible particularly the latter third)....

Joe Richards

This route reflects my experiences of following StoShe three from Stocksbridge to Sheffield and is intended to provide a GPX file that is more helpful for navigation, and to make a few minor changes to streamline the route. The only part I have not walked is the short section north of Oughtibridge Lane which stays on the TransPennine Trail, and avoids using the rougher path further west and a slightly awkward bit of road walking. An excellent walk for the most part - it is a lot easier than SheSto one, the only disadvantage being there are very few facilities en route....

Hugh Hudson

One other possible tweak would be to use Platts Lane north of Oughtibridge Lane rather than the rough path lower down - this would reduce a slightly unpleasant road walk with no pavement or verge. Beyond a little twisty section a narrower track takes us down to a corner in the wood, where we follow a path that starts down an eroded and slightly steep groove and leads onto an old road/track leading to Oughtibridge Lane. The only potential pitfall is that the path right down to the railway bridge does not use the firebreak - it starts a little further on. We pass a large Sainsburys store and cross Halifax Road at the lights, following the far pavement round onto Herries Road past more industrial buildings, sharp right onto Herries Road South (views of Hillsborough Stadium ahead) then left on Rowson Spring Road. More pavement walking along Neepsend Lane takes us across Rutland Road to a short riverside path which starts at Naomi's Corner and leads to the pedestrianised Ball Bridge, where we turn sharp right and cross the river, then turn left onto another riverside path....

Hugh Hudson

I followed the good cycle path (entered just before crossing the railway) through Hutcliffe Wood alongside the railway to reach Archer Road, rather than use the official route through Millhouses Park. After Archer Road the route is well signposted 'to Granville Square' and obvious on the ground, although it is far from obvious on the OS 1:25,000 map. I liked the 'green section' of fields, woodland, parks and public open spaces' between Dronfield and Archer Road, and I enjoyed the challenge of threading the paths together along the Sheaf Valley with frequent interpretation features to tell about the history....

StephenWalker

At Richmond Road there is a bridge over the Parkway, and very soon after we take to another rough path through woodland which descends to and crosses Car Brook. After crossing the valley of Manor park the route follows Manor Park Crescent to Sheffield Manor, and down Manor Lane to City Road....

StephenWalker

The walk from Sheffield to forge dam was fairly flat with accessible paths. However, from there the terrain would have been difficult for the sections off paths....

Stacey Grayson

You could do this route by bicycle if you divert through Hutcliffe Wood instead of through Millhouses Park, which would be a nice diversion for anyone. Instead, keep going up the road from the Tesco and rejoin the route at the top of Troutback Road about 150m further on. I preferred to walk through Greenhill park (Lowedges park) instead of going through the streets near the transport ground. Millhouses park has a kiosk but it was closed as I passed at 1735 however, beyond the park, you'll pass a massive Tesco with a café or if you turn right over the bridge after leaving the park, there's also a Sainsbury with a café....

PeteS

It’s a very walk through the industrial areas of Sheffield’s north, following the canal out to Meadowhall & then on to Rotherham. The first part from Sheffield wasn’t always pleasant & we encountered a section of the canal path which was closed. Overall, it was disappointing to see a section of the canal path was closed & the detour through the industrial areas none too pleasant....

Shamsa Riazat

The route and the pathways are generally easy to follow and well signposted in most cases. Perhaps its just my feeling, not having completed the route starting at Stocksbridge, but it did seem that there was a lot more uphill trekking (some of which was quite steep) if you're starting out from Sheffield. It is not an 'accessible' route, as there are a lot of stiles (some very high or with awkward dismounts) and sections where gateways open into small streams with rocky beds that need to be crossed. There are also sections along the route from Hillsborough into the city centre where a small detour can take you on to pedestrian walkways that follow the route of the river with some better scenery....

George P

This app needs a lot of work as the live location does not update as you are walking and have to close the app and re-open it for the app to pick your location....

Sheikh Ali

Lovely walk, once out in the Peaks, the path seemed to move away from accessible tracks at points...

Rhys Wooding

The walk can be divided into a rural half, through Moss Valley to the Sheffield outer ring road, and an urban half going into the city centre. There is a kissing gate by a bridge over the Moss and some squeeze gates but the trickiest obstacle is the stepping stones at the West end of Geer Lane. After half an hour, I was at the Bridge Inn. My suggestion would be to turn off left as soon as you can after passing Newfield School, cross the bridge, then walk until you emerge from the trees. Then go downhill into the bottom corner of the open space, back into the woods, walk downhill to another bridge and the exit from the woods is just ahead of you and to the left. After the railway bridge, you'll see a white on black sign to Granville Square across the road. At the end of the road, go back over the bridge, under the railway on the opposite side and round a corner to find the path onwards. The Sheaf Walk takes you back to the railway station in about half an hour or less....

PeteS

At Burngreave cemetery you get the first taste of green and quiet, and the rest of the route does a very good job of joining up various green spaces with just a few roads between. There are numerous shops once you reach Ecclesfield in the final stretch down to Chapeltown....

Andrew Davies

This route comes out at Millhouses Park, which is a nice start to the River Sheaf Walk which you follow into the city of Sheffield....

Andrew Davies

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. 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. You can walk 5 minutes up the road to see a small statue to the Dambusters and also a memorial behind a locked gate. At the end of Conduit Road in Sheffield, is Weston Park museum, which is free, although it's worth a trip in itself. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Like the other reviewer, I wasn't keen on some of the road sections....

PeteS

Can be muddy in places and some road crossing need extra care. To Moscar, this path is now a bridleway, so good job I didn’t have words with the cyclists. 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. 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. 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 busy road crossing needs care but is not dangerous....

Ken

I started at Sheffield station and finished at Swallownest, 2 hours 10 minutes later with no stops and only a little dithering. I'd characterise the route as having 3 sections: city streets and park paths, woods and fields in the outer part of the city and a section on roads from Woodhouse station to the end. Go to the end of StradBroke at Sheffield Road and follow that to Beaverhill Road and go down there to rejoin the bridleway though Flockton (who were Sheffield architects) Park, or stay on the road to the railway station and rejoin at Furnace Lane. Later on, the path after crossing the railway at Woodhouse station is found by turning 180 degrees at the foot of the steps on the far side. At the top of the climb, Manor Lane, just off City road has a fish and chip shop. The next shops are on Furnace Lane, after Woodhouse station - a chippie and a paper shop....

PeteS

I walked from Rotherham in two stages breaking the journey at Meadowhall South tram stop. Leaving Rotherham the route passes the train and tram station before taking to the canal towpath....

Ken

It goes alongside rivers and canals for most of the route, and has the super-convenient stopping point of Meadowhall shopping centre half way along....

Susan

There's a barrier across the road and a squeeze gate to it's left. The squeeze gate is where you want to go. From there, its a long walk down Plank Gate. Towards the end of Plank Gate, you have to leave the main track as it goes uphill. The public footpath goes around the side of the gate (there's a very low stile). It's easy to miss the turn off (I did) at the bottom end of the wood. There is a place on this section where the path goes down to the river. After heavy rain it's entirely likely that the path goes *into* the river so you might need to backtrack. The path is easy to follow down to a bridge at Neepsend and it's all streets and pavements to the end. It's a bit twisty around Kelham Island, where you'll find lots of pubs and cafes, but it's easy to follow after that....

PeteS

It starts in the pleasant town of Dronfield with a walk through quiet residential roads. You walk past the water tower (a water tower) and turn right at The Water Tower (a pub, sadly closed atm), then there’s a pleasant walk down, and then up through parkland and out into suburbia past the famous green towers....

Susan

I walked this, starting in Dronfield, with my sister, stopping at her house for lunch, as she lives quite near to the Water Tower, just beyond halfway. We soon left Dronfield and headed through a series of well-used field paths which were quite muddy at the time....

Mary Oz

This route isn't the shortest and most direct but it takes in Rother Valley Country Park and Shire Brook nature reserve, which are worth visits in themselves. Most is on good paths, often beside the road, with just a few stretches of dirt path beside the river Rother near the start and through the first half of Shire Brook Valley nature reserve. If you stick to the route, there are significant flights of steps at railway lines (with a ramp for bikes), a chicane next to them, and a couple of smaller, rougher flights in woods which can be avoided with a little planning. The TPT and you part ways when you turn off to walk beside Rother Valley's lake but if you want to avoid the railway footbridges and a few wooden steps in the wood next to them, you can keep following the TPT until the routes join again at the top end of Rother valley park. Soon after passing the Cumberland pub, turn right down some steps and follow the dirt path to a meeting of ways. Again, the route could do with some refinement here but as long as you keep going East/West (or vice versa) you'll end up in the right place as the whole reserve and the main paths are oriented this way. Where the route crosses Richmond Road, you have to option of a 10-15 minute detour up Richmond Park Road to the massive Asda which has a cafe and toilets (check web site for cafe opening times). If you want to save your aching feet and cut out that climb, carry on to the end of Maltravers, go down Broad Street to Park Square (possibly popping into the Wonkeresque Granelli's sweet shop), and climb the steps on the left and keep left to reach the path to the railway station....

PeteS

Allow enough time to get to the edge of Sheffield, which for me took 5 hours, so you aren't caught in the dark. Dogs may not be allowed on Stanage Edge at times because of nesting birds near the path. The weather there can be be brutal, with Stanage Edge particularly being very exposed. At the top, it's across grassy, heather moors to a swampy track approaching Moscar Cross before going down to the path along Stanage edge which is mostly rocky. The path turns wet, grassy and muddy again, except for the paved sections, as you skirt Redmires Reservoirs but improves once you leave it, passing beside and through woodlands on the outskirts of Sheffield. Pay attention to where you leave Stanage Edge and take the path to Stanage Pole and Redmires. The route after turning off The Conduit towards the Sportsman pub just passes between some football fields with no path once you've turned. Just before the path rejoins the road, theres an almost 180 degree turn that goes a little way downhill in almost the reverse direction and a minute or so later, you zig (or zag) again to go down to Manchester road. If you're prepared to carry on a bit further along Stanage Edge, beyond the Stanage Pole turnoff, there is Robin Hood's Cave, though it's unlikely Robin ever used it. Stanage Edge is also the place Keira Knightly stood on the cliff top for a famous scene in Pride And Prejudice. There are temporary path closures on the Stanage Pole to Redmires section until the end of March 2024 for tree felling. Therefore, go down Clough Fields but take the public footpath on the left about half way along - you can see it on a map - and follow that path to join another path that climbs up from Back Lane. Follow the joined path up into the stable yard, to resume the route. From the old Lodge Moor hospital there is the 51 to Sheffield, from Crookes shops there is the 52, and from Glossop Road onwards there are a number of services, although you're near the end by then....

PeteS

Once you get through the bogs and can see a path you can walk the rest on a stone covered path, the GPS may suggest walking through the Heather but stick to the path....

James Preskey

There are public loos in Hathersage so have a comfort break here as there aren't any other opportunities before Sheffield. There is a pub at Ringinglow which is about half way and then cafes and public loos in both Forge Dam and Endcliffe Parks so there are more opportunities to stop on the Sheffield side....

Katy L

As we walked from Hathersage, there was lots of uphill walking and breaks needed as we ventured out of Hathersage and into the open fields and rocks. An alternative to walking directly through the heather is to walk up an over the rocks....

Philip Foster-Dennison

As noted in other reviews, the railway crossing near Wharncliffe side is blocked. Ended up having to walk quite a long way around. Stoshe route 3 seems to avoid this issue....

Shez

On the roads, there was always pavement, although I did have one issue at the top of Manor Park Crescent, where a lot of building work was taking place....

Tim Ryan

There is however a better crossing about a mile further north which this route uses....

Tim Ryan

I walked this route in September 2023 and there are locked gates on either side of the railway crossing....

Tim Ryan

An excellent walk, outstanding scenery and a nice safe route....

Tim Ryan

This route reflects my experience of following SHESWA one - it is essentially the same route but plotted in a way that should make it easier to follow, particularly from Sheffield to Swallownest and reflect what the best paths do on the ground. I also made a few very minor changes to streamline the route, so it is not quite what I walked. For a more detailed review with pictures, see SHESWA one....

Hugh Hudson

We follow the tarmac paths uphill, turning left below the steps then right along Raynald Road. The sharp left turn down to Archdale Road starts further south than the GPX file (which may show a path that used to exist but was blocked by new houses) suggests. We turn left down Fretson Road then right round The Circle and Circlc Close to a small park, which we cross to reach Prince of Wales Road, the A6102 dual carriageway, which can be safely crossed using pelican crossings to the left. We continue down Ravencarr Road and turn right past the Alison Business Centre on a tarmac path which leads us into a park and across Castlebeck Avenue. We cross Richmond Road and turn left over the A57, then take the TransPennine Trail cycle path right, which follows the A57 down into Smelter Wood....

Hugh Hudson

Prickly nettle filled footpath after Coal Aston petrol station after which there is a straw filled field...

Josh

Turn left on London Rd and cross at the crossing near ///frames.pushy.will follow Saxon Rd and then turn left on to the path at ///fats.clots.lived at the end of this path you will rejoin the original route at ///jams.jokes.skill. Rather than turning down Troutbeck Rd at ///chairs.third.fried, continue along Abbeydale Rd to ///tags.change.bared and then turn left down to the Tesco car park, where you will meet the original route. In my opinion it is better to follow the path on the western side and cross at ///help.exam.begun, there is an island crossing here and the traffic is slow due to the adjacent roundabout, the crossing felt very safe.4...

Tom Mitchell

Really pleasant walk, some challenging paths at times with rocky terrain but overall a good walk with a lot of scenic overlooks. As there are some gates to climb over, this walk wouldn't be wheelchair accessible....

Brad

I'm an inexperienced walker and while parts of the route felt challenging it was very achievable...

Jenna Dixon

Hathersage Moor then awaits, and is overgrown - the path on the route is quite vague here, and we ended up just cutting across it, through some bogs, due to a lack of defined path. The final stretch from Hathersage Moor to the town itself is mostly very pleasant, across a few fields, largely downhill (notably steep in places), through a field containing cows, and finally onto some roads. Overall, a very pleasant if challenging walk, with some considerable obstacles along the way (bogs, roads, steep inclines / declines, uneven terrain), which makes it fairly inaccessible for around 40-50% of it....

Joe Richards

A couple of the paths near to Carl Wark were boggy but easy to navigate. The short bit of the route after Carl Wark to the road the path trod on the ground deviates a little from the Right of Way on the OS map but is navigable if competent with map & compass....

Shamsa Riazat

The next 3 miles are very green following a stream which may well flood if standing water alongside and damage to the path surface in places is an indication. At Smelter Wood the green corridor narrows and is joined by a busy road but here we join a tarmac path before meeting a minor road which allows a safe crossing of the main road. Some estate road walking and a climb then a dip across another large green patch with a view of the vast cemetery and a final climb to the remains of The Manor after which the area is named....

Ken

From Stockbridge it's an immediate climb away from the main road with the view across the valley improving all the way. The view then changes to the valley of reservoirs on the Ewden Beck. The contour walk towards Coumes Vale Plantation offers a stunning view over Oughtibridge towards Sheffield and the Beech tree leaves provide a golden carpet on the path. Initially with a green view into the valley although a brief sleet shower clouded my appreciation of it. I wondered why the route moves to the busy road, while our path is very open the Slow Way is surrounded by large car sales sites....

Ken

It takes you through a mixture of environments and nothing too challenging....

HCE12

A steady climb along estate roads out of Dronfield after departing along the main drive through the park, not as plotted, another green space approaching Coal Aston. Crossing the Meers Brook at the exit from the nature reserve this route climbs again to pass the impressive green towers before a steady roadside descent into Sheffield passing the huge bus depot and a castle like lodge. I didn't like what I'm sure is an unnecessary climb to the green towers, I'm sure there must be a better route that continues downwards....

Ken