[1] From the lay-by walk toward Worksop until you come to the entrance gate to Whitwell Woods. See (A) below.
Carefully cross the A619 road. This is a very busy road.
Take the footpath to the left of the lane and go diagonally across the field. Just beyond the field boundary follow the path right and go parallel to the road. When the path joins the road go right and proceed to the junction. Take care, no footpath. At the junction (in the centre of which is a street sign saying 'Doles Lane') turn left and then take the first right on to 'Hangar Hill'. Turn first left and walk the full length of 'Mill Lane'.
Alternative starting point from bus. From the Square walk up Hanger Hill toward Hodthorpe. After the zebra crossing turn left on to Hanger Hill. Take the second right on to 'Mill Lane' and walk the full length. Follow main route description.
At the far end of this road a finger post points to the footpath, beyond bungalow number 63, in the corner of the cul-de-sac.
Take this path and cross the field to the railway. Take care - this is an active railway line.
Once over the railway, bear left and follow the path across a very small field and then across two larger fields. The path goes diagonally across the second large field, to a stile in the right hand corner. Once over the stile, walk directly forward down the farm drive to the T-junction. Turn left on to the next drive Directly before the farmyard gate (Hodthorpe Livery Stables), take the footpath to the right. Go past the grey blockwork barn on your left and forward, over two stiles, to join the hard-cored road.
[2] Ignore the path indicator pointing right and go straight ahead on a farm track which soon turns left. Stay on this track for about a mile until it meets the A619 road.
[3] Cross the road (take care - it is very busy), and take the drive directly opposite. At the top of the hill the drive turns left and passes in front of a house. Take the stile at the near side of the house. Go over two fields before turning left onto a track which passes under a railway tunnel. (Ignore the path junction at the end of the first field, where there is also a path to the left, leading to a tunnel under the railway.) Continue to the road. Beware the blind corner.
[4] Cross the road and go straight ahead to the village of Shireoaks. Take care - no footpath. At the T-junction of Spring Lane and Shireoaks Road, adjacent to 'The Mill', turn right. Cross the hump bridge over the canal and immediately turn left and left again down the steps onto the towpath. You are now joining the 'Cuckoo Way' long-distance route. Many people consider this stretch to be the most picturesque of the whole Chesterfield Canal.
Continue along the towpath with the canal on your left. After a few minutes of walking you will come to the pedestrian entrance to the Shireoaks Marina on your right. Take a few moments to admire the colourful collection of narrow boats moored in this marina before continuing along the towpath. Upon reaching the next bridge it is necessary to leave the towpath, cross the road and rejoin the towpath at the other side. Continue along the towpath.
As you approach '38 Feeder Lock', look into the woods on your right. Here you will see a stone-lined channel. This is the 'Brancliffe Feeder'. See (C) below.
Follow the towpath until you pass the 'Quarry Lock 35' sign on the arm of a lock gate. You have arrived at the small hamlet of Turnerwood. Go past the houses on the right.
In the summer months ice cream and drinks can be purchased from the small kiosk adjacent to the bridge.
[5] Leave the towpath and go over the bridge. You have now left the "Cuckoo Way".
Just after the right bend in the road, turn left at the finger post, by pass the works entrance, go through a kissing gate, and across the field. Join the road and carry on straight forward to the junction. Take care - no footpath.
Bear left and go past some farm buildings, a stable block and house on the right. Take the next right turn. Pass Netherthorpe Airfield, home of the Sheffield Aero Club. See (D) below.
Follow this road until you come to a red-roofed bungalow on your right. Take the lane directly opposite the bungalow and keep to it for about two miles as it becomes a farm track and ultimately a single-file footpath. When you reach the A619 road, go across and take the footpath to the left of the incoming road opposite, as identified by the finger post.
Cross the field and enter the housing estate. Turn right.
Alternative finish back to the bus. Turn left down the second road on left: Hangar Hill. At the T-junction go right and retrace your steps back to the start point.
Pass Arthur Short Close and Hangar Hill on the left and continue to the road junction with the B6043. Turn right toward Worksop. Almost immediately take the footpath on the left side of road. At the path junction turn left into the field and retrace your steps back to the start point.