This walk covers section 3 of the 15 mile Sheffield Round Walk and picks up where our Limb Valley to Ecclesall Woods Walk finishes, on Abbeydale Road South. The route runs just under 4 miles but does feature some rather steep sections and busy roads, so not ideal for the less able or nervous dogs.
You can reach the start of this walk by getting the train from Sheffield city centre to Dore train station, but any bus heading out toward Dore along Abbeydale Road South will suffice.
Distance: Roughly 3.7 miles / 6 km
Difficulty: Strenuous – Some steep uphill sections
Wildlife: None
Terrain: Muddy trails and Pavements
Traffic: You will need to walk next to busy roads in sections of this walk, and a short section where you’ll be walking on a quiet road.
Follow route on OS Maps App: Ladies Spring to Graves Park
Ladies Spring Wood to Graves Park Follow Along
If you are starting this walk at the end of section 2, then turn right after you leave Ecclesall Woods and head toward Dore train station where we’ll start this section of the walk.
As you leave the station on the other side of the road the first thing you’ll notice is a fantastic looking building, this is Dore Masonic Hall.
From the train station turn left along Abbeydale Road South along the pavement. You’ll notice a Sheffield Round Walk sign just before Mercia Motors, turn left onto Twentywell Lane.
Follow the road over the railway bridge and on the left hand side you will notice another Sheffield Round Walk sign that will lead us into our first wood of the walk.
Follow the Sheffield Round Walk/Public Footpath sign into the Ladies Spring Wood, and your first opportunity to let your dog off the lead.despite the fact that this is just the start of the walk, this part of the walk will perhaps pose the biggest challenge for some. A short way along the footpath you’ll be greeted by some steps leading up the steep bank. This section can be quite muddy in wet weather, so it’s advised to have suitable footwear.
The good news is, when you get close to the top there is a perfectly situated bench if you need to catch your breath or have a rest. Worth looking out through the trees to take in the view and realise how high you’ve gone.
From here we reach the top of the hill where we’ll be following the trail on this side of the wall. Throughout this walk as with any Sheffield Round Walk route you should keep an eye out for green signposts saying ‘Sheffield Round Walk’ with the acorn symbol, however on this route you should also keep an eye out for the small circle way markers that feature an acorn. They’ll be in place when a signpost isn’t possible.
The path begins to wander along the top of the hill and soon splits into two, one path leading up to the top and one continuing through the woodland. Take the path on the left and continue to follow the trail through the wood.
As the path starts to go down you’ll arrive at a information board for Ladies Spring Woods, from here you’ll be taking the route up the steps in front of you (look out for the little white marker). Worth stopping and having a look at the view from here though.
Up the steps and follow the path, you’ll soon start to walk alongside the golf course. Don’t be tempted to drift onto the course, follow the signs and the long straight trail alongside the golf course. Toward the end of the trail you’ll come to another Round Walk sign.
Although the sign appears to point onto the golf course, it’s advised that you don’t take that route. You will annoy golfers if you’re walking along the edge of the course. The route actually goes onto the quiet road at the end. You’ll then follow this road down. While the road is quiet, do keep in to the edge with your dog.
You’ll notice the next round walk on your right-hand side, as your turn into the lane you’ll walk along the path past the side of the picturesque barn house. The path moves along past a pond and onto another woodland trail that once again walks alongside the golf course.
As you walk along the trail, the path splits into two, you need to take the path on the right that continues into the woodland.
The path then follows around for a short distance before you can take a left turn, follow the path down between the houses and out onto the main road (Greenhill Avenue). Take a right turn as you reach the main road and follow the road up for a short distance. Cross over where safe to do so. As you continue up the road you’ll notice a Round Walk sign outside of somebody’s house. Between the houses there is a narrow path where you need to head next and into Chancet Wood.
Head along the path (i’ll let you decide whether you want to call it a gennel, a ginnel or a snicket) and follow it as it bends into the woods. You’ll walk alongside a stream and head over the bridge at the bottom taking a left turn into the woods. This is another great opportunity for your dog to have a bit more time off the lead.
Taking a left after the bridge, follow the woodland trail for a while until the path splits into two. You should continue along the left-hand path following the Round Walk markers as you go.
The path continues through Chancet Wood and will eventually bring you to another split in the route. This time you should take the right-hand path and continue into the wood.
Walking up this path you’ll be able to spot some great views out over Sheffield through the trees. The path continues along the back of the houses until you reach a point where the path starts to curl back on itself and head up the hill. At this point you instead need to take the left turn and head down through the narrow path toward the main road instead.
As you’ll tell from the sign, you need to take a right and head up the main road (Meadowhead). A short distance up the road you’ll spot a Round Walk sign on the other side of the road. Cross where safe to do so, this is a very busy road. Follow the sign into the woodland again as we make our way into Graves Park and the final leg of the walk.
Depending on what time of year you’re walking through these woods you’ll either be greeted with lush greens or colourful reds and browns. Continue along the path past some rather movie standard looking rocks.
Keep an eye out soon after these rocks for the next route markers. You’ll be directed down a little slope to head between two tree trunks and continue along the path.
Follow the path through the picturesque woods. You’ll likely be happy of a concrete path if you’ve taken this route on during wet weather. At the end of this path take a left at the bench, immediately followed by the path veering off to the right.
As the path veers off to the right, follow along until you reach a point that the path splits. As dictated by the round walk signs, we’ll be heading left at this point.
Toward the end of the path you’ll notice another sign. Follow the sign for the Rose Garden and take the right hand path. This last stretch will walk you up to the main section of Graves Park.
The end of this path marks the end of this section of the round walk. If you fancy some refreshments, turn right and head over to The Rose Garden Cafe which is a dog friendly cafe perfect for a hot drink and a slice of cake after a long walk.
