[1] From Malin Bridge Tram Stop, continue along Loxley New Road and turn left. Enter Stannington Road and cross the pedestrian crossing. Bear right on the bridleway signed easy going trail, continue along the Rivelin past Mousehole Forge (A) and turn right just before the bridge.
Mousehole Forge dates from 1628, from before the industrial revolution and is one of the few surviving water-powered forges in the country. It was famous for producing anvils that were exported all over the world. The works also produced vices and various other engineering tools. Part of the site is a grade two listed building although much of the old machinery is open to the elements. It closed around 1933 and one of the buildings converted to a private house. From the 1930s to the 1950s a woodworking business, the Malin Bridge Construction Company, occupied one of the other buildings.
Cross the wooden bridge, go straight on and fork right after 30 yards to walk alongside a dam with the river on your right. Continue along the riverbank, turn right on Rivelin Road for a few yards then re-cross the river.
[2] Cross over to the A-frame into Rivelin Park (B) (café and toilets) and turn right beyond the café. Cross the concrete bridge and continue upstream, following the bank-side path to a metal chair in the river, a recent sculpture by Sheffield artist, Jason Thomson. Cross the next bridge and go straight on past some old workings to the stone steps with a wooden handrail. A steady ascent along the valley side brings you to a road. Ascend the steps opposite and turn right up Liberty Hill.
[3] Turn right to the junction and cross Stannington Road at the lights. (Buses 12, 11 and SL2) Turn left for 30 yards and take the walkway with the white handrail. Their position at the top of Liberty Hill makes the flats one of the most prominent and recognisable landmarks in Sheffield. Continue to the left of the play area into greenspace and head for gap to the left of the trees. Take the middle path through the centre of wild grassland, join the tarmac walkway beyond and turn right. Bear left along Wood Lane Close and turn right at the end.
[4] Turn left along Myers Grove Lane and go straight on at the junction with Ashurst Road. Take the improved footpath on the left which leads down to the old Robin Hood pub. Pass to the right of this and turn left alongside the old barrel chute. The path descends through woodland into the Loxley valley. Turn left near the bottom to avoid the final steep descent alongside the handrail (the cobbles can be slippery). This safer path doubles back down to a bridge. The enclosed path beside the factory, if not too overgrown, leads in 50 yards to the mill’s original waterwheel (C). Ascend the cobbles and bear right through the gate. The track becomes a tarmac lane, which you leave by going straight on at the junction along the public footpath. Descend some steps to join the river. Turn right down another set of steps to a weir, where a head goit channels water into a mill dam, which you now pass. Continue alongside the Loxley to the road and continue along Loxley New Road back to Malin Bridge