Broomhead via Broomhead Moor, Dukes Road and Mortimer Road

Broomhead, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Sunday, 14 February, 2010
Route 25

A circular walk across Broomhead Moor to the head of Dukes Road, by way of Moor Side, Rushy Dike and Dukes Road, returning by way of Dukes Road, Hurkling Edge and Mortimer Road.

Information

Distance (km): 
12.00 km
Distance (miles): 
7.46 miles
Elevation (start point): 
294 metres
Latitude (start point): 
53.4618
Longitude (start point): 
-1.63729
OS Grid Ref (start point): 
SK 24179 96177
Nearest Post Code: 
S36 4ZA
Car parking: 
Mortimer Road, Broomhead Hall
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Details

Route notes 

Weather forecast was for sunny periods, though none materialised. Pockets of snow were to be found on the higher ground of Broomhead Moor and Dukes Road.
We decided to return by way of Hurkling Edge and Mortimer Road. Following the access land boundary at Mortimer Road, I wasn't sure we could get through, but apart from a very boggy section at Black Brook the ground was quite firm. Certainly better than having to tread tarmac.

Route summary 

Broomhead Moor is one of the areas now open under the terms of the CrOW Act, though for this walk we stayed on the tracks only venturing across the peat at Rushy Dike. The walk starts opposite Broomhead Hall and follows the track along Moor Side. For those wishing to make a lttle detour a footpath diverts off the main track and passes by the remains of Ewden stone circle before descending to the valley floor where the woodland and Ewden Beck provide a stunningly beautiful and tranquil environment.

The shooting lodge provides a convenient place to stop and admire the marvellous views along the upper Ewden valley and across to Pike Lowe.

The short meander along Rushy Dike provides a good introduction to peat and bog, though much worse is to come, particularly after periods of heavy rain.

Dukes Road can seem to go on for ever but the panoramic vistas provide plenty of distraction and soon one reaches the cairn where the footpaths diverge and seem at times to be enveloped in a sea of peat and bog.

On a clear day, returning along Dukes Road, one is instantly reminded of how near the city of Sheffield is.

Route directions 

Enter Broomhead Moor at the access point off Mortimer Road (SK 24178 96182) and turn to the right along a clearly defined track. The track initially follows a north-westerly direction but soon turns in a westerly direction along Moor Side as it follows the course of Ewden Beck. After 2km of gradual ascent the gradient suddenly increases and after a couple of sharp bends the shooting lodge comes into view.

Continue past the shooting lodge (2.5km, SK 22238 95622), the track continues to climb, passing between a line of grouse butts, eventually finishing at the head of Rushy Dike (3km, SK 22423 95022).

If visibility is poor then Rushy Dike may call for some navigational skills. Head in a south-easterly direction, following the water course and the edge of the surrounding peat. After approximately 500m, Dukes Road, another clearly defined track, should be visible (3.5km, SK 22423 95022).

On joining Dukes Road turn to the right, heading in a westerly direction, gradually climbing to the summit of Flint Hill (4.5km, SK 21670 94647).

The track continues in a south-westerly direction along Brunsten Croft Ridge passing a number of cairns and a boundary post. Wonderful vistas open up and soon the track, especially after heavy rainfall, becomes more of a challenge.

The track dips to cross the brook flowing into Blackhole (5.85km, SK 21008 93792). After a few hundred meters a cairn and an old timber sign post come into view (6km, SK 20894 93632). At the time of writing the original cast iron sign has been replaced by an old boot.

This route terminates here though one could easily continue on to Back Tor (SK 19755 90998), a further 3km from this point.

The route returns back along Dukes Road crossing Rushy Dike (8.5km, SK 22423 95022) and continuing in an easterly direction along Hurkling Edge and past Hurkling Stones.

Just before the junction of Dukes Road with Mortimer Road and before the exit point swing left in a northerly direction (10km, SK 24485 94535) following the western side of the boundary fence. This indistinct path is reasonably firm except at Black Brook (11.5km, SK 24168 95805) where one may need to navigate some boggy ground.

At Black Hole the path re-joins a track and after 500m returns to the start point.