Sheffield brands itself as ‘the outdoor city’ and with the Peak District on our doorstep and more green space than anywhere else in the UK, it’s easy to see why. Plenty of outdoor spaces means that Sheffield is a fantastic place to own a dog with so much natural space to discover. As part of our End of Year Awards we asked Sheffield dog owners to vote for the best dog walks in Sheffield including short local walks and more rigorous hikes, and we’ve collected together the votes to bring you 20 of the best places to walk your dog in and around Sheffield.
20) Norfolk Heritage Park
In at number 20 we have Norfolk Heritage Park, just outside of the city centre, Norfolk Park offers a vast, well kept green space with a circular walk to enjoy. Open fields make this one a favourite for dog owners, it’s actually our local walk as well so if you lose a tennis ball in there, I can’t promise that my dog won’t find it. The walk around the outside of Norfolk Park offers up fantastic views of the city.
Walking Route: Norfolk Heritage Park & Clay Wood Walk
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: South Street Kitchen or Norfolk Park Cafe
19) Ladybower
Ladybower is often the name given to the selection of reservoirs in the Derwent Valley, but actually only refers to one of them. There are fantastic scenic walks around all the reservoirs along with Derwent dam. Ladybower reservoir actually refers to the lowest of the three reservoirs (the one with the big sink hole in it) but there are still some great walks to be had around it.
Find out more: Ladybower Walks
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: Ladybower Inn
18) Derwent Edge
Derwent Edge is a must-visit for those looking to capture one of the best views in the Peak District. The trek up the hill will give you great views over the Derwent valley. There are a number of walks available in the area, but it’s worth tackling one of the longer routes to truly enjoy the area and the panoramic views it has to offer. As with any Peak District walk, be mindful of livestock and keep your dog on a lead when required.
Find out more: Derwent Edge Walk
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: Ladybower Inn
17) Burbage / Higger Tor / Carl Wark
The Upper Burbage/Burbage Edge area is a popular one with Sheffielders due to its ease of access. Head out into the Peak District via Ringinglow Road and you soon find an area that has a number of great walks. The area also features Carl Wark and Higger Tor to enjoy on your walk, and depending on how far you want to go you can head down to nearby Padley Gorge at the bottom of the route. Higger Tor is also a wonderful spot to catch the sun setting over the Hope Valley.
Find out more: Carl Wark and Higger Tor Walk
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: Norfolk Arms
16) Beeley Woods
Beeley Woods is a woodland area near Hillsborough and Oughtibridge in North Sheffield. The area is well worth exploring with your dog and takes in the Upper Don trail. Take in the woods on their own or go on a longer walk between Oughtibridge and Worral.
Find out more: Beeley Woods Walk
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: The Cock Inn
15) Wyming Brook
Wyming Brook has it’s source in Redmires Reservoir and the area is now a nature reserve. For walkers you can expect a stunning woodland trail that ventures out onto the moors with views over Redmires and Rivelin.
Find out more: Wyming Brook Walks
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: The Three Merry Lads
14) Loxley Valley
The Loxley Valley is a popular area for locals due to the sheer amount of countryside that it features. The area features woodland and field walks with a whole host of dog friendly pubs and places to stop along the way.
Find out more: Loxley Valley Walk
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: The Admiral Rodney
13) Lady Cannings Plantation
Across the road from the Norfolk Arms pub at the top of Ringinglow Road, you’ll find the Lady Cannings Plantation. Popular with mountain bikers due to it’s purpose built bike tracks, the area is also open for walkers as well. You’ll trek through woodland and watch as bikers zip through the trees on the track.
Find out more: Lady Cannings Walk
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: Norfolk Arms
12) Curbar Edge
Curbar Edge offers similar fantastic views to Stanage Edge, with the benefit of a close car park and easier access to the top. Walking along it’s rocky outcrops you’ll see panoramic views of rolling countryside and the valleys below.
Find out more: Curbar Edge walk
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: The Bridge Inn
11) Anston Stones
Anston Stones Wood is located south of Sheffield and is one of Rotherham’s hidden gems. The area is popular for a number of outdoor pursuits including bouldering and hiking. There’s plenty to discover along the way including caves and babbling brooks.
Find out more: Anston Woods Walk
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: The Loyal Trooper
10) Agden Reservoir
Agden Reservoir is one of the Yorkshire Water reservoirs in the Bradfield area in North Sheffield. Yorkshire Water does a good job of creating well pathed walks, so this one is relatively easy to follow.
Find out more: Agden Reservoir Walk
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: Flask End, The Plough Inn and Old Horns Inn
9) Redmires
Redmires is a three tiered reservoirs with a great walk that goes around all three. This is a very popular area with scenic views over the reservoirs and a mixture of trail and tarmac path ways. You can walk around the reservoirs or extend your walk and take in nearby Rivelin, Wyming Brook or Stanage Pole in the opposite direction.
Find out more: Redmires walk
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: The Three Merry Lads
8) Padley Gorge
Scenic Padley Gorge looks good no matter the season. Whether you visit in summer when it’s filled with families paddling in the water, or visit in autumn to see the magnificent colours, there’s always a picture worth taking at Padley Gorge. The routes here are very family friendly, so beware as they can get very busy.
Find out more: Padley Gorge Walk
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: Fox House Inn or Maynard Hotel
7) Grenoside Woods / Wharncliffe Woods
Grenoside Woods (a.k.a Greno woods) and Wharncliffe Woods are both areas of ancient woodland begging to be explored. If you’re in the North of Sheffield, the chances are that you’ve already been here. Greno woods is popular with mountain bikers, so if your dog is afraid of bikes then it’s worth trying to go during quieter times.
Find out more: Greno / Wharncliffe Wood Walk
6) Forge Dam
Forge Dam has a wealth of options for dog walkers, in one direction you can head through Bingham Park back toward Endcliffe Park, in the others you can continue through Whitely Woods along the trail to Porter Brook and even right up toward Ringinglow (this is a section of the Sheffield round walk). Forge Dam has a cafe to enjoy a post-walk drink as well.
Find out more: Porter Valley Trail
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: Forge Dam Cafe
5) Graves Park
Graves Park is Sheffield’s biggest park with open fields to run around on and ponds and woodland to wander around there’s something for everyone. The park also features a cafe that is very welcoming of dogs.
Find out more: Graves Park Walk
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: Rose Garden Cafe
4) Endcliffe Park
Endcliffe Park is always a popular choice for local dog walkers. You’ll find an open field as well as woodland and a stream to play in. You can connect your walk with Bingham Park across the road and walk through to Forge Dam and beyond.
Find out more: Endcliffe Park
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: Endcliffe Park Cafe or Lovely Pear
3) Dam Flask Reservoir
The larger sibling to Agden Reservoir, you’ll also find Dam Flask in the Bradfield area of North Sheffield. Owned by Yorkshire Water you’ll find a mostly well defined path that goes around the outside of the reservoir over trails and through woodland with great views out over the water.
Find out more: Dam Flask Walk
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: The Plough Inn, Old Horns Inn or Flask End
2) Ecclesall Woods
Found between Abbeydale Road South and Ecclesall is an area of stunning woodland known as Ecclesall Woods. Ecclesall Woods is the largest area of woodland in South Yorkshire and is made up of 3 wooded areas separated by roads. Wood 3 is the largest of the three and is just off Abbey Lane and features the Woodland Discovery centre along with a dog-friendly cafe. Ecclesall Woods is very popular with dog walkers with plenty to discover on its well-worn trails.
Find out more: Ecclesall Woods Route (actually the run route, but works well for a walk as well)
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: Woodland Coffee Stop
1) Rivelin Valley Trail
The Rivelin Valley trail has plenty to discover from heritage to stunning scenery. Tackle the trail from up at Redmires or starting at the Rivelin cafe. The Rivelin trail took the top spot in our end of year awards for Sheffield’s favourite dog walk, and if you’ve ever done the walk you’ll understand why. A relatively easy going, well defined trail with plenty of opportunities for your dog to paddle about in the water. This route can get busy so keep that in mind if your dog isn’t a fan of being around too many other people.
Find out more: Rivelin Valley Trail Walk
Dog Friendly Pit Stop: Rivelin Valley Cafe
Find more Sheffield Walks..
If you’re tired of your usual walks (I know we got a little bored of the same old routes) the I highly recommend the OS Maps app for your phone. Open the app wherever you are, you can either record your own route or choose one of the routes that somebody has already recorded. You then simply follow the route like you would your car sat nav, it’s a great app and you don’t need to have extensive map experience to be able to use it.
£2.99 a month gets you full OS Mapping for Great Britain, so the app will suit you wherever you are in the country. Head to the link below to find out more about the app:
