Introduction

It’s been a dank and dreary couple of days in the northwest of England, So I decided to get to the east of the high ground today.

The Rivelin Valley runs out of the Peak District down into the heart of Sheffield. It’s my first visit here, and I explored the upper part of the valley.

The weather was cloudy, but brighter than at home.

The journey took 70 minutes from Cheadle Hulme.

This walk plotted out at 6.35 miles, but is very twisty in parts. My phone tells me I walked over 7 miles! There is over 1150feet of ascent and it took 3 hours 15 minutes plus a 15 minute break for lunch.

The walk is great for dog walking, particularly in the valleys. The upland stretch is along a cliff edge, so the lead will be needed if your dog is prone to run around or suddenly chase squirrels!

I walked in a clockwise direction.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL1.

I parked at the Mill Bridge Gar Park (free), postcode S5 5GF. What 3 Words ///track.claims.tips

Rivelin Valley

From the 16th to the 20th century, this place was a hive of industry. As the river flows down , there are successive mill ponds and wheel pits emphasising the past, but now overtaken by nature. It is beautiful.

I only went a fairly short way down the valley, so there is much more to explore.

Up To The Edge And The Golf Course

I crossed a bridge and headed up the steep side of the valley. It’s a fairly tough climb up, but the views are soon worth the effort. The city is not far away.

There are some sheer drops, with spectacular views.

The steep-side of the valley is an extended woodland. To the left of the path, the ground is more level, and home to The Hallamshire Golf Club.

There are occasional streams tumbling through the woods.

Just before reaching a road the view opens up, with a spectacular viewpoint, looking west to the reservoirs.

Over the road, I noticed that I’d finally left the golf course behind me.

Fox Hagg And Wyming Brook

Fox Hagg is a younger woodland, and slowly the route runs downhill through it. I followed the yellow arrow here.

The pretty views of streams and the Rivelin Reservoirs continued.

Eventually, the path reaches Wyming Brook, where there is a handy stepping stone crossing to negotiate. I managed!

On the other side, the path leads up to a car park.

There’s a choice of routes here. The path that follows along the bank of the brook looks amazing, so I hope to return to tackle it. Today, I took the higher level, easy track with regular views to the gushing brook below!

Rivelin Reservoir And Rivelin Rough

I completed the descent, and walked along the reservoir’s edge, and then over the dam.

At the end of the dam I crossed the A57 and made my way a short distance up the opposite side of the valley.

Rivelin Rough is another area of young woodland. It is little used, and the path indistinct in parts. But it’s easy and pleasant walking.

My route took me back down through a couple of fields, though it would be easier to continue on the path and turn sharp right down the track beyond the small copse.

After a short roadside walk I was back at Rivelin Mill pond, and the car!

This is a delightful spot, and one I shall return to again.

Highly recommended!

And Finally….

Razorlight have an new album out, called Planet Nowhere. This is “Scared of Nothing”.