There is a frequent bus service to Firth Park, from Sheffield City centre.

Route Developer: Fran Pickering

Route Checker: Diana Grainger

[1] From the Clock Tower Lodge, on Firth Park Road, walk down the hill past the old library (on your left) to Hinde Common Wood. Turn left along the path between the library and an entrance to Hinde Common Wood and go straight along the path (which has a tree in the middle). Pass the tree and go up the steps/cobbled walkway up to the exit on to Hinde House Lane. Cross the road here at the dropped pavement and turn left up the hill.

[2] Turn right into the first side road, Hinde Wood Close, cross this road and take the footpath on the left beside the first house. Continue along this path as it goes behind houses, through trees and then curves towards the right and comes into more open ground, with new apartment buildings straight ahead. Where the path forks, go to the right with the buildings on your left. Then soon after, take the path to the left, which goes up the hill between big stone boulders, up shallow cobbled steps towards woods.

[3] Climb up this steep path through the woods. At the top, the path opens out onto a square paved area, with views out over the Don Valley. Here turn sharp right and soon the path passes through the low remnants of the hill fort ramparts. (Only parts of the oval ramparts are visible, and there is no fort here now).

(A) Wincobank is an Iron-age Hill Fort. The fort stands on the summit of a steep hill above the River Don. It is oval in shape and covers about 10,000 square metres, surrounded by a ditch that was originally 1.5 –2 metres deep with a bank consisting of a rubble core with stone facings held together with timbers. The bank is vitrified, indicating that it was subjected to intense heat at some time in the past – whether this was done purposely by the builders or through accident or attack is unknown. Material taken from a drainage ditch dug through the northeast rampart of the fort in 1979 was radiocarbon dated to c.500 BC.

[4] Continue along this path and soon pass through the other end of the ramparts. As you descend this path, there are stunning views across Sheffield in front and on both sides. Where the path forks, take the right hand path and continue down to a crossroads of paths. Pass through one set of boulders then turn sharp right at this crossroads to continue along a narrower path through woods. Passing two more stones, bear left at a fork, keeping to the main path.

[5] Shortly after passing the stones, you will reach a crossroads with a narrower path. Turn sharply left onto this path and follow it down the hill. At a fork, take the broader left-hand path and head towards the remains of a seat. Continue along this path to another crossroads of paths and here turn right, towards a playing field and children’s playground. Climb down the steps to the left of the slide (or slide down it!) and go diagonally left towards an exit onto the road. Aim for the brick building with a large black and white sign on its side.

[6] Cross over Wensley Street and go straight across into Wensley Close. Continue onto the pathway at the end of the close and go down the walkway and steps ahead.

[7] Continue straight on into Wade Street, walk up the top and curve around to the right. At the T junction with Willoughby Street turn left and walk up to Hinde House Lane. On Hinde House Lane turn right, then after a short distance take the path on the left hand side of the road going into the woods through an A frame gate.

[8] Follow the path straight ahead, to reach the library. Turn left through an A-frame gate and right onto the pavement and walk back along Firth Park Road, past the old library, to return to the Clock Tower Lodge.