This great route begins at Barnsley train station and takes you on a short on-road section before you pick up a local traffic-free route that joins National Route 67. After travelling over the River Dove the traffic-free path joins with National Route 62. The route also forms part of the Trans Pennine Trail.
The route continues past Wombwell Recreation Ground before arriving at your final destination of the RSPB Nature Reserve.
The Old Moor nature reserve is incredibly popular and rightly so. It’s an award-winning reserve where you can spot kingfishers, lapwings and tree sparrows, and at dusk, you can listen out for the shrill calls of little owls. During winter thousands of golden plovers spend winter here and in spring great crested grebes perform their courtship dance. There is a café at the RSPB reserve for those wanting refreshments.
To return, retrace your journey back to Barnsley.
For those of you wanting to extend the journey, you can continue onto Sprotborough which is 10 miles along mainly gravel tracks. Make sure you call in at the Boat Inn on the riverside in Sprotborough where Sir Walter Scott wrote his novel Ivanhoe. You can also explore the fantastic 12th-century Conisborough Castle built of magnesium limestone and the only one of its kind in Europe.
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Please note
We have taken all responsible steps to ensure that these routes are safe and achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness.
However, all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. To the extent permitted by law, Sustrans accepts no responsibility for any accidents or injury resulting from following these routes.
Walking and cycling routes change over time. Weather conditions may also affect path surfaces.
Please use your own judgement when using the routes based upon the weather and the ability, experience and confidence levels of those in your group.