Walks near Sheffield by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Sheffield and plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Sheffield.
Derby Circular via Allestree Park (Derbyshire)
30 minutes direct from Sheffield.
Parks, river and heritage trail.
Museum of Making (30 mins in)
6 lunch spots: Darley Park (1h15 in) — Darley Park Terrace Cafe, the Little Darley in the Park, the Abbey Inn, or the Darleys; plus the Joiners Arms (3h in), or the Orangery Café (4h in)
4 end-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Victoria Inn, or the Waterfall
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Similar walk: North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership.
Derby to Long Eaton (Derbyshire)
30 minutes direct from Sheffield.
Waterways — River Derwent, Derby & Sandiacre Canal and Erewash Canal.
2 lunch spots: Canal Cottage Cafe (2h45 in), or the Navigation (3h15 in)
2 end-of-walk rewards: Peking House, or the Sawley Junction
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Nottingham to East Midlands Parkway (Nottinghamshire)
45 minutes direct from Sheffield.
Canal, river, wooded track and roadside footpath.
2 lunch spots: Wilford Farm (1h30 in), or Dovecote Barn Café (3h in)
Warnings: Short stretch on busy A453.
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Duffield to Derby (Derbyshire)
45 minutes from Sheffield, with one change.
Repurposed railway track along the Great Northern Greenway.
Duffield Castle: The remains of one of England's largest castles (National Trust; 30 mins to visit).
2 lunch spots: the Bell and Harp (1h in), or the Three Horseshoes (2h15 in)
4 end-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Waterfall, or the Merry Widows
Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk.
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
East Midlands Parkway Circular via Gotham (Nottinghamshire)
45 minutes direct from Sheffield.
3 lunch spots: Gotham (3h in) — the Sun Inn, the Cuckoo Bush Inn, or the Star Inn
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Loughborough Circular via Walton on the Wolds (Leicestershire)
1 hour direct from Sheffield.
Canal, footpaths and roadside footpath.
3 lunch spots: the Anchor Inn (1h45 in), the Blacksmith's Arms (2h45 in), or the Moorings (2h45 in)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Boat Inn
Warnings: Last section on busy road.
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Spondon Circular via Dale Abbey (Derbyshire)
45 minutes from Sheffield, with one change.
Villages, park grounds and ornamental lake.
2 lunch spots: Dale Abbey (2h in) — the Carpenters Arms, or the Friar's House
4 end-of-walk rewards: the Vernon Arms, the White Swan, the Hoptimist-Spondon, or the Malt Shovel
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Attenborough Circular via Nature Reserve (Nottinghamshire)
45 minutes from Sheffield, with one change.
Good paths, nature reserve, canal and river.
Waterway: nine tenths beside rivers and canals.
4 lunch spots: Beeston Lock (1h in) — the Riverside Bar, Boathouse Cafe, or Canal Heritage Centre; plus Restaurant Sat Bains (2h in)
Warnings: Check for flooding.
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Long Eaton to Ilkeston (Derbyshire)
45 minutes direct from Sheffield.
Canal, industrial towns and disused railway viaduct.
Waterway: nine tenths along the Erewash Canal.
3 lunch spots: Hallam Fields, Ilkeston (2h30 in) — Gallows Grub, or the Gallows Inn; plus La Rock (1h15 in)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Dew Drop Inn
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
East Midlands Parkway to Barrow-upon-Soar (Nottinghamshire)
45 minutes direct from Sheffield.
Flat, mostly on decent paths and along the River Soar and Grand Union Canal.
Waterway: nine tenths along the River Soar.
Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!
3 end-of-walk rewards: the Boat Inn, the Navigation Inn, or the Hunting Lodge
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Barrow-upon-Soar to Leicester (Leicestershire)
1 hour direct from Sheffield.
Flat and on decent paths.
Waterway: four fifths along the River Soar.
3 lunch spots: Birstall (3h30 in) — the Earl of Stamford, the Old Plough, or the White Horse
2 end-of-walk rewards: the Corn Exchange, or the Rainbow and Dove
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Grindleford Circular via Surprise View (Derbyshire)
15 minutes direct from Sheffield.
Quite possibly the best views in the whole of the Hope Valley. Ancient mixed woodland with rocky brook and footbridges, open moorland and gritstone edge. Detailed route map, photographs and route preview video available.
Hilly: a quarter on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.
Woodland: a third under tree cover.
Walk details: Let's Go Peak District (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).