Sheffield City Centre to Hillsborough, Worrall and Oughtibridge
(Updated 29th April 2026 )
Until recently the North-West of Sheffield was not well served with Cycle Routes, and some would say it still isn’t. The “double whammy” of the tramlines along Langsett Rd and the dualling of Penistone Rd left us with some serious obstacles. The Council has however finally recognised this situation, and the first section of the Upper Don Trail has emerged out of Kelham Island and made it possible to access the “Old Penistone Rd” -this will get you out to Hillsborough and beyond. At the time of writing not all the junctions have signalled crossings so take care. Note that there is lot of development work going on in the area, so by the time you read this the route described here may not be optimal.
From the City:
Start from the Cathedral. There are cycle stands in Cathedral Sq, or outside the Quaker Meeting House. At the end of St Peters St is Vicar Lane leading across Campo Lane in the heart of the Legal District (so mind who you knock over) to Silver St, where you turn left onto the northern end of Queen St. Use the cycle crossing over West Bar and you can now access the new routes including the the new roundabout that gives equal access to everyone.
If coming to or from the southern end of the city centre, join this route via Fitzwilliam St, taking the cycle lane across r. Devonshire Green to West St, cross with care (tramlines) then Mappin St to Upper Allen St. For the University Arts Tower/Concourse use St Philips Rd.
Take the new routes onto Shalesmoor. Just before the Shakespeare pub there is a little cut through called Bower Spring This gets you across the Ring Road and into Kelham. Genius. Try not to stop at the Kelham Island Tavern, voted CAMRA pub of the year innumerable times, and turn left at the bottom for NCN627, an off-road cycle route of mixed quality (NCN627) that will take you to Claywheels Lane. If you wish to visit Hillsborough shopping centre from this direction turn left at Bradfield Rd. If you are going to Wardsend Cemetery, turn right at Livesey St. There is also a link to Hillsborough Park.
There is good cycle parking in the mini-interchange at Hillsborough but take extreme care on the complex trackwork at Hillsborough Corner – walking might be a good plan.
Claywheels Lane will lead you safely up to Beeley Woods and Oughtibridge.
Match days can be tricky on Penistone Rd!