Don Roamin’ - South Yorkshire

Just beyond the north-eastern boundary of the Peak District National Park the River Don cuts through a high gritstone landscape between the towns of Sheffield and Stocksbridge. Despite the proximity of housing and industry, a fine day’s walking can be enjoyed on the heights flanking the Upper Don Valley. The fast-flowing waters of the Don itself provide early interest, then steep slopes, woodland, reservoirs and hidden hamlets keep you going. At the cost of an occasional road crossing, this route shows that good walking is easily accessible outside our national parks. In this case the starting point is Oughtibridge, known to locals as ‘Ooti-bridge’.