Best walks near Sheffield by train
Yorkshire · North of England | Walks by foot
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in North of England and plan your next day of green.
Derby Station Circular via Darley Abbey (Derbyshire)
30m direct from Sheffield.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–9h.
Parks, river, and heritage trail.
Highlights: Museum of Making and Darley Park.
Lunch stops in Darley Park (1h–2h in): Darley Park Terrace Cafe, the Little Darley in the Park, the Abbey Inn, or the Darleys. Other lunch stops: the Joiners Arms (3h–5h in), or the Orangery Café (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Victoria Inn, or the Waterfall.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Derby Station to Long Eaton Station (Derbyshire)
30m direct from Sheffield.
Tough: 21km. Flat terrain. 5h30–9h.
Waterways — River Derwent, Derby & Sandiacre Canal, and Erewash Canal.
Lunch stops: Canal Cottage Cafe (2h30–4h30 in), or the Navigation (3h–5h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: Peking House, or the Sawley Junction.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Duffield Station to Derby Station (Derbyshire)
30m direct from Sheffield.
Tough: steep ascents. 17km. 4h30–8h.
Repurposed railway track along the Great Northern Greenway.
Lunch stops: the Bell and Harp (1h–1h30 in), or the Three Horseshoes (2h–4h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Waterfall, or the Merry Widows.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Long Eaton Station to Ilkeston Station (Derbyshire)
30m direct from Sheffield.
16km. Flat terrain. 4h–7h.
Canal, industrial towns, and disused railway viaduct.
Lunch stops in Hallam Fields, Ilkeston (2h30–4h in): Gallows Grub, or the Gallows Inn. Other lunch stop: La Rock (1h30–2h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Dew Drop Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
East Midlands Parkway Station Circular via Gotham (Nottinghamshire)
45m direct from Sheffield.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–8h30.
Lunch stops in Gotham (3h–5h in): the Sun Inn, the Cuckoo Bush Inn, or the Star Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
East Midlands Parkway Station to Barrow-upon-Soar Station (Nottinghamshire)
45m direct from Sheffield.
Tough: 23km. Flat terrain. 6h–10h.
Mostly on decent paths and along the River Soar and Grand Union Canal.
Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!
End-of-walk rewards: the Boat Inn, the Navigation Inn, or the Hunting Lodge.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Nottingham Station to East Midlands Parkway Station (Nottinghamshire)
45m direct from Sheffield.
18km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–8h.
Canal, river, wooded track, and roadside footpath. Short stretch on busy A453.
Lunch stops: Wilford Farm (1h30–2h30 in), or Dovecote Barn Café (3h–5h30 in).
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Loughborough Station Circular via Walton on the Wolds (Leicestershire)
1h direct from Sheffield.
16km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Canal, footpaths, and roadside footpath. Last section on busy road.
Lunch stops: the Anchor Inn (1h30–3h in), the Blacksmith's Arms (2h30–4h30 in), or the Moorings (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Boat Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Barrow-upon-Soar Station to Leicester Station (Leicestershire)
1h direct from Sheffield.
Tough: 21km. Flat terrain. 5h30–9h30.
On decent paths.
Lunch stops in Birstall (3h30–6h in): the Earl of Stamford, the Old Plough, or the White Horse.
End-of-walk rewards: the Corn Exchange, or the Rainbow and Dove.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Spondon Station Circular via Dale Abbey (Derbyshire)
45m from Sheffield, with one change.
17km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
Villages, park grounds, and ornamental lake.
Lunch stops in Dale Abbey (2h–3h30 in): the Carpenters Arms, or the Friar's House.
End-of-walk rewards: the Vernon Arms, the White Swan, the Hoptimist-Spondon, or the Malt Shovel.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Attenborough Station Circular via Nature Reserve (Nottinghamshire)
45m from Sheffield, with one change.
15km. Flat terrain. 4h–6h30.
Good paths, nature reserve, canal, and river. Check for flooding.
Lunch stops in Beeston Lock (1h–2h in): the Riverside Bar, Boathouse Cafe, or Canal Heritage Centre. Other lunch stop: Restaurant Sat Bains (2h–3h30 in).
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Bamford Station to Grindleford Station (Derbyshire)
15m direct from Sheffield.
17km.
Spectacular gritstone Stanage Edge. Gritstone edges including Stanage Edge and Burbage Edge, moorland, woodland, and riverside paths. Gritstone edges carved by ice age glaciers; historically used for millstone quarrying. Pride and Prejudice film location. Hard terrain; rocky gritstone boulders to traverse.