This walk covers section 2 of the 15-mile circular Sheffield Round Walk, by breaking the round walk into sections it can make the whole thing more manageable and something you can take on in your own time and at your own pace. This walk starts where the Endcliffe Park to Porter Clough section ends, at the Norfolk Arms pub on Ringinglow Road.
You can reach the pub via public transport by hopping on the 181 bus from the Sheffield Interchange or along Ecclesall Road.
Distance: Roughly 3 miles / 4.6 km
Difficulty: Leisurely – Mostly downhill
Wildlife: None
Terrain: Downhill woodland trails that can get quite muddy
Traffic: There is a road at the start, you’ll cross a busy road midway through and the walk ends on a busy road. In between your dog is fine to be off the lead.
Follow route on OS Maps App: Limb Valley to Ecclesall Woods
Limb Valley to Ecclesall Woods Follow Along
This walk starts from the Norfolk Arms pub. This dog friendly pub is a great place to fuel up before your walk, but if you’d rather wait then don’t worry as there are a number of places you can visit at the end. From the pub cross the road and head along Sheephill Road on the side with the houses.
A short way along Sheephill Road after the houses things open up and you’ll notice a step stone to get over the wall and onto the Limb Valley trail.
Much of this route follows a well defined trail, and this first section weaves through the open fields. It’s worth keeping an eye on your dog through this section as they can easily slip under the wire fences and into the farmers fields where there are sheep. Follow the route for a short while until you come to a split in the path and a sign post.
You’ll spot the green Sheffield Round Walk sign, something you should keep an eye out for throughout this walk. The sign points through the little wooden gate, and that is the direction we’ll be heading. Once through the gate head down the steps and you’ll be following the trail through Limb Valley.
This section of the walk is perfect for your dog to be off the lead, but take the usual care around other dog owners. If you spot somebody with their dog on a lead, make sure you put your dog on a lead also.
As the route starts to descend further into the valley you’ll notice a picnic area on your right-hand side. This is an ideal place to stop for a cup of tea if you’re feeling the need for a rest.
As you pass the picnic area the path will start to ascend a little, this section of the route can get quite muddy during wet weather, so ensure that you’re not wearing you’re best white trainers. The path ascends and descends through the woodland and is easy to follow if you remain on the same path throughout.
As the path starts to descend you’ll arrive at a fork in the road. You’ll notice a Sheffield Round Walk sign that urges you to veer right and over a little bridge. This area is another little picnic area should you need it.
Take in the last little section of Limb Valley, as you cross the bridge you’ll follow the path until you once again come to a slight fork in the road. On this occasion, you need to take the path on the right-hand side. Head down through the hedge and you will come out into Whirlow Brook Hall car park.
Across the car park you’ll notice the path through the gardens. Take your time through here and take in the Whirlow Brook Hall grounds, head through the hedge for great views of the hall itself as modelled by the happy smiling face of our Eddie.
Keep heading out of the grounds and onto the road/driveway. Follow this right to the gate house at the end. Beware that cars do obviously drive on this road, so keep to the edges and keep your dog on a lead.
As you reach the end of the driveway, turn right and walk to the end of the road. This is a very busy road so care is recommended and you’ll need to be quick in crossing. Across the road you’ll notice a bus stop, this is where you’re heading.
Behind the bus stop are some steps down that lead toward some playing fields with Ecclesall Woods on your left hand side. You can head into the woods now if you want, but the Round Walk follows the tree line down to the bottom of the playing fields. It also gives your dog a chance to run around in some wide open spaces (as long as there aren’t any football games on of course!). Follow the tree line as far as you can and you’ll come to a board telling you about Ecclesall Woods and another Sheffield Round Walk sign.
Ecclesall Woods is South Yorkshire’s largest ancient woodland and deserves to be explored properly. Stunning no matter the season, it’s a woodland where you’ll find Bluebells in spring and stunning colours in Autumn. This walk only takes you straight down and through it, but we’ll be adding an Ecclesall Woods walk at some point too.
Step through the wall and follow the path into the woods. You’ll be following the path through the woods straight through. If your dog enjoys water, then you’ll find plenty of opportunity for them to get in the stream and get wet.
Keep an eye out for Sheffield Round Walk signs as well as Abbeydale Road South footpath signs, these are what you need to follow through the woodland. Following the path you will eventually come to an area where you need to turn left and keep following. This path will lead you to the stream through the woods.
Follow the stream keeping it on your left hand side, your dog will likely want a bit of a play in there as you do. Its perfectly safe and quite shallow for them. Eventually you’ll arrive at a split in the path where you can take a left or go straight on through a gate. Take the path straight on, we’ll save the rest of Ecclesall Woods for another day.
This is the last section of the woods, and a simple path to follow right through to the end. Keep an eye out on the left hand side as through the trees you’ll be able to spot the Abbeydale Miniature Railway, a miniature steam train that welcomes visitors in good weather for just £1.50 a trip. As you reach the end of the woodland, the path turns into the a little alleyway and leads out onto busy Abbeydale Road,
This is the end of this walk. From here you have a choice:
Walk back along Abbeydale Road and sample some of Sheffield’s fabulous independent pubs, shops and cafes. We reckon Abbeydale road is Sheffield’s most dog friendly street and there’s something for everyone. You can also walk back through Millhouses Park as well.
Had enough of walking? Hop on a bus back to the city centre, or head right and you’re at Dore train station where you can hop on a train back to the city centre (dogs ride the train for free!)
Fancy carrying on? Section 3 of the Round Walk starts here and will take you from Dore Train Station to Graves Park
This walk is part of our Sheffield Walks series.