Ride on the Wild Side

This ride visits all the Sheffield Wildlife Trust sites in Central Sheffield. Join us on this ride during Sheffield Environment Weeks or make your own way using this guide.

We start at the Winter Gardens, Surrey St.

From Surrey St head west along the Peak Park 50th Anniversary Route (NCN6). Continue along Division St to the left across Devonshire Green – care when crossing Fitzwilliam St- and continue along Broomspring Lane, crossing the ring road and turning left at Brunswick St and through the Cycle Gate to Wharncliffe Rd. As you join the cycle track Sunny Bank is on your left (1) Walk to the pond, have a rest and then rejoin the cycle track.

Down to Ecclesall Rd and join the road towards the city centre, using the cycle route to access the Moore St subway, cross diagonally (signed for station) and follow the Inner Ring route to Eyre St, Cross at the signalled crossing, and use the off-road track to get to Sylvester St. Follow the cycle route to Furnival St (Rutland Arms) & continue along Brown St & Paternoster Row (past Showroom) Go through the bus gate and turn right at Harmer Lane (s. end of Bus Station). Join the cycle lane on left at Sheaf St opp.station and continue along Sheaf St, on NCN6, crossing Commercial St  to join NCN627 (Signed to Rother Valley Country Park)

Head for Victoria Quays where you will see the National Cycle Network signs for Rother Valley. Follow these approx 3. miles. Having climbed up to the Mosborough Parkway crossing you will find yourself in Carbrook Ravine (2). Can you find Iron Jack, the “old man in the woods”? Follow signs for Meadowhall, (NCN67) and just before the bridge crossing of the Sheffield Parkway turn left to follow the pathway back towards town. Watch for the statue on the right.

When you’ve completed your visit here, retrace your steps towards the City Centre. At the Parkway Bridge, cross the Parkway and turn left, following the cycle route down to the Parkway Avenue roundabout, cross roundabout with care and follow the new bike route to Staniforth Rd. Turn left to Broad Oaks, right onto Stadium Way (cycle gate) Jessell St, Worthing Rd, then right to Bacon Lane. down to the traffic lights (tram crossing) and take the cycle route left to Woodburn Rd and right onto Bacon Lane take footpath down to Attercliffe Rd, l. across Norfolk Bridge, left onto 5W.

Salmon Pastures (3) is on your right – walk your bike through.

On leaving, double back along the 5WW to Norfolk Bridge (Attercliffe Rd) leave the riverside trail and r,. on Attercliffe Rd to l. Washford Rd (Yellow NCN diversion signs posted). r. onto Faraday Road which becomes East Coast Rd. Cross the A6109  and continue uphill on Carwood Rd– you have quite a stiff climb ahead of you.

As you turn to the left at the top, you will notice a traffic-free lane on your left, take this and it will bring you up to Ellesmere Rd north. Another car-free section will bring you to Osgathorpe Rd, with Osgathorpe Park on your right. As you reach Barnsley Rd Crabtree Ponds (4) is opposite.

Walk your bike through the reserve following the main path up the ravine (no steps) and you will emerge on Crabtree Rd. Turn left, then right onto Barnsley Rd (it’s busy so take care) Breast the hill and as you descend you will see Rock St on your right, take this and you will drop down to the Don Valley, with stunning views ahead of you. As you reach the bottom there is a complicated one-way system . Follow left on Nursery St until you reach the Riverside Bridge crossing. Come off-carriageway and use the crossing to reach the bridge. Once on the other side of the river turn immediately right on the crossing  and follow the NCN627 signs (or Alma St to the Fat Cat which is on your right and can feed you ) Kelham Island will provide you with refreshments.

To explore the future North Don Trail and the Sustrans NCN627 Hillsborough extension, having fed and watered yourself, turn right out of the pub and follow Alma St to Green Lane, r. onto Ball St with its interesting bridge, then left onto Neepsend Lane – you will see that “City Living” is starting to arrive here, and a walking and cycling route along the river will arrive on its back. Before crossing the river again, turn right onto Club Mill Rd which will take you out to Wadsley Bridge – it has a rough surface but is OK in dry weather. Using the strangely placed traffic lights, cross the river onto Livesey St, which will take you to Penistone Rd for a swift passage along the off-road route back towards town.

+++END OF CITY SECTION+++

A further ride will take you to the out-of-town Wildlife Trust sites but we haven’t mapped that out yet.

Visit Sheffield & Rotherham Widllife Trust