Before starting out, take a moment look across at the landmarks in the city centre such as the Cheese Grater and the Incinerator. The University Arts Tower is also visible, and if you complete the walk, you will pass it later in the day.
[1] Facing uphill on the outward tram platform walk a few yards and turn left down a tarmacked walkway. Where this meets a road, cross over and continue downhill down steps and through a pink barrier into Beldon Place. Continue downhill. At the path junction, fork right then sharp left along some green fencing. Follow this fencing as it bends right and cross the ornate Jervis Lunn Bridge (A) over a ravine. Pause on the bridge, and listen out for the birdsong. On the skyline ahead of you, you will see the clock tower of the City Road Cemetery.
At the end of the bridge turn left through a barrier to enter Norfolk Heritage Park. Pass a painted metal sculpture of a deer and child and turn right at the signpost towards the Centre in the Park (B). Pass between the Centre in the Park and the car park and continue along the wide avenue. You will see nest boxes and spring flowers and further fine views across the city. If you are sharp-eyed, you may see a great spotted woodpecker along this section. Ignore a left fork and continue to reach the park gates at the Granville Road entrance. Leave at the park near the lodge on the right, pass the Granville Road Gas Lamp and cross Granville Road at the zebra crossing ahead.
[2] Cross Stafford Road on your left and take the next right (Norfolk Road) signposted to the Cholera Monument. At the first junction turn left into Fitzwalter Road crossing it where it is safe to do so. Just before reaching Granville Road turn right by the another footpath signpost for the Cholera Monument, go through a barrier and onto a gravel track which narrows to a footpath between the trees. You may see speckled wood butterflies in this area. Take the left fork by the log bench. At the next path junction beyond some steps, keep left and continue to the Cholera Monument (C) where you will get another fine view across the city centre and beyond.
Leave the park on the wide driveway signposted to the Cathedral, passing through large gates. Opposite you, you will see Shrewsbury Hospital Almshouses (D)
[3] Turn left into Norfolk Road and walk down to the junction with Shrewsbury Road. Cross with care, walk ahead a short distance following the cycle path sign to the city centre before bearing right along the road marked as a “no through road” which passes in front of the Park Hill Flats (E). This Grade 2 listed building is currently undergoing extensive renovation. Below on your left, you will see the Supertram lines and Sheffield Station. Continue down until the footpath reaches the tram tracks above Ponds Forge. Walk along the footpath by the tram tracks to the tramway junction then fork left crossing the tramway towards the tram bridge, but fork immediately left again crossing the footbridge over the roundabout to descend to Ponds Forge International Swimming Pool. (F)
You have completed the first section of the walk.
[4] With your back to the main entrance of Ponds Forge, turn right and (re-)cross the footbridge to the tramway junction. At the end bear left up some steps and cross the tramlines ahead. Continue straight on down more steps, following the sign to Victoria Quays. This takes you across another footbridge. Keep left down the steps, turn right at the bottom, and cross the road ahead to enter the Victoria Quays (G) next to Wharf House, pass behind “The Straddle” and continue by the waterside to a footbridge over the canal. Cross here and turn left to double back along the other side.
[5] Opposite the Grain Warehouse near a telephone box, leave Victoria Quays under the archway, cross the road ahead at the lights, then the pelican crossing on your left towards the Alexandra pub. Continue along Castlegate passing the back of Castle Markets, the site of the old Sheffield Castle. On reaching the end by the Tap and Barrel pub near Lady’s Bridge cross at the lights towards the Magistrates’ Court then cross Bridge Street towards the old Exchange Brewery. Continue along Bridge Street turning sharp right after the Brewery to join the Upper Don Walk (H). This is an area of regeneration, and you will see new riverside developments alongside old industrial buildings, many of which are being demolished or given a new lease of life. The river, once heavily polluted now supports fish and other forms of wildlife. Watch out for kingfishers, wagtails and dippers.Turn left at the river, following the riverside path, crossing the busy roads at Shalesmoor using the crossings, to continue along the trail.
[6] The path leaves the river at Kelham Island. Turn left and then diagonally cross a square between new flats. The road on your right by the canal leads to Kelham Island Industrial Museum (I). Leave this site towards the old Globe Steelworks and turn right onto Alma Street, passing the Kelham Island Brewery and Fat Cat pub. Note flood levels on the pub wall. Keep right at the fork, passing the Cornwall Works. At the Milestone Bar turn right into Bell Street and cross the bridge.
[7] At the end of the bridge, cross the road and rejoin the river on the right bank under the Upper Don Trail arch. The path emerges on Neepsend Lane. Continue left to the lights. Cross Rutland Road here, turning left, to cross over the river once more. Continue to Penistone Road and cross this busy road at the crossing. Keep ahead along Bedford Street to Infirmary Road to reach the tram stop.
Congratulations, you have now completed the second leg of the walk.
[8] From the outward Infirmary Road tram platform, head along a wide walkway past the Tesco sign towards the old Infirmary building. Turn left onto Tesco's car park area and take the walkway up a slope on the right between Tesco and the infirmary to emerge on Upperthorpe Road road. Turn left, cross Upperthorpe Road and enter the Ponderosa (J) by the information board. This area is another haven for urban wildlife such as foxes, kestrels and butterflies. Nearby at St George's, a peregrine falcon is known to roost. Follow the wide path passing a playground. Where the tarmac finishes continue straight ahead at this junction onto an improved footpath. Ignore a left fork up steps and bear right into a wooded area, climbing gently uphill, passing an open area and an adventure playground on your right. At the old stone gateposts ascend the stone steps to the left, keeping left where footpaths join from the right, until you reach the railings that border Crookes Valley Road.
[9] On exiting the Ponderosa at this point, cross the road (if the road is busy, there is a zebra crossing 50m to the right, or a pelican crossing 50m to the left). Cross Mushroom Lane and enter Weston Park at the gates on the corner. Take the right hand path with the tennis courts on your left and continue on past the impressive facade of the Weston Park Museum (K) to emerge on Western Bank near the Children's Hospital.
Turn right crossing Mushroom Lane and take the next right into Northumberland Road passing through the University sports facilities.
[10] Cross Northumberland Road by Marlborough Road and take the cobbled walkway on the left hand side of the car park. This walkway climbs gently between stone walls. At the end, some steps take you up onto Crookesmoor Road. Cross over and continue ahead along Roslin Road to meet Crookes Road. Bear right towards the Old Grindstone pub, crossing at the bollards. Adjacent to the pub turn left onto Hallamgate road and continue, ignoring side roads.
This area is famed as one of the most beautiful suburbs in the country, mentioned in a poem by John Betjamin and in spring, the tree blossom and birdsong are a delight.
[11] On reaching the end, you will notice this road has become Tapton House Road. Cross Manchester Road with care to enter the walkway immediately opposite. This takes you down to Fulwood Road. Turn right immediately crossing Shore Lane and continue along for 100m crossing the main road with care to turn left into Woodvale Road. (If it is busy, there is a pelican crossing 50m further along.)
[12] At the end of Woodvale Road, bear left into Endcliffe Vale Rd. After 100m enter Endcliife Student Village (L) on your left and follow the main road passing “The Edge”.
Just before the barrier fork right onto a walkway to a gate-posted entrance. Cross Endcliffe Avenue into another walk / cycleway signposted to the University Campus. At the end, turn right onto Oakholme Avenue. Cross over and walk down to the end. Turn left into Endcliffe Vale Road to reach Brocco Bank. Turn left and cross Clarkehouse Road at the zebra crossing just beyond Westbourne Road and continue along railings to reach the main entrance to the Botanical Gardens (M) and the end of the walk.