Sheffield to Rotherham

This is a 9 mile ride alongside the River Don which flows between Sheffield and Rotherham, the later part following the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal.
There are a few problems, the first being to find access to the riverside path from the railway station and the second being the signing which is not consistent, and you need to follow all/any of the these:-
Five Wiers Walk.
Trans Pennine Trail (TPT).
Meadowhall.
NCN Route 6.
NCN Route 67
Rotherham
Initially there are some busy roads, but most have cycle paths and crossings. The route crosses from one side of the river to the other and there are lots of old industrial buildings backing onto the river.
The third problem is that major civil engineering works have resulted in the closure of the path in the area of Magna, which cuts out what is a picturesque section of the canal tow path from Halfpenny Bridge.  However the diversion along the main road is well signed as such and we eventually find ourselves back on the canal tow path for the run into Rotherham town centre, passing close to the football stadium and railway station.
So a route of many contrasts with some nice tree lined waterside paths, but other paths which 19th century industrial development and 21st century vandalism in the form of terrible graffiti have done nothing to enhance.

Click on pictures to enlarge them.

                              A magnificent water feature greets us at Sheffield Railway Station.

                        These are the signs to be looking for, in this case the Five Wiers Walk.

                                          Along the broad cycle paths alongside the busy roads.

                 Here is our access to the riverside path at Blonk Street Bridge.

The path is on the North side of the river here.  See blue sign at end of balustrade (bottom left of picture).

                                    And here we go on the path to Rotherham.

                               There are dozens of bridges of all kinds on this route.  Here is the first.
             Unless you are a professional bridge engineer, you will not have seen this many bridges.

 The Cobweb (Spider) Bridge is a most unusual structure being a modern pedestrian/cycle way suspended inside the old brick viaduct.

                                                    It leads out to the street.

 Back on the road for a short distance we have this view of the river and yet another of the five wiers.

                                   Then re-cross the river on this bridge..............

 .                 ....................................to this path on the other side.

                                                    Yet more bridges over the river.

                               Here a welcome respite from the industrial environment.

                                           The path is hard surfaced and well fenced.

                                      We are now approaching the Meadowhall Shopping Centre

 ..........................where there is this interesting sculpture (like the cyclist bottom right).

                                                 An unusual sign for a cycle path.

and this is why, the Sheffield Supertram stops here at Meadowhall.  The cycle route is shown as white dots.

                                                    But keep an eye on these signs.
                     Note that we have left NCN Route 6 and now follow NCN 67 into Rotherham.

                                           And cross the adjacent railway on this bridge.

  Across the bridge we find the Sheffield canal, a haven of tranquility compared to what crosses it.

 The massive Tinsley Viaduct carrying thousands of motor vehicles on the M1 motorway.
How little the drivers know of what lies below them as they thunder along.  The canal on the right here and the River Don at a lower level below the bank on the left.

                                                           And here is the river

Sadly we have to leave canal side at this bridge, as the path is temporarily closed due to construction works on the Magna site nearby, and we have to take a diversion on the main road.

                                           But we return here for the run into Rotherham.

                                                         And here we are.

This cycle route is described in the Sustrans book "Traffic Free Cycle Rides" published 2015
                                                          See page 254.

Alternative return route
The canal runs thorough to Victoria Quays in the centre of Sheffield and this gives another option for the return journey.  However the towpath is not hard surfaced and only really suitable for mountain bikes and not those with fragile tyres. Also appalling graffiti on walls ruins what is potentially a beautiful ride.

 For the canal route into Sheffield we go straight on here just after passing beneath the M1 motorway on the Tinsley Viaduct above.
This is instead of turning right towards Meadowhall and crossing the tram track.

 Sign warning of engineering work on the bridge ahead, but there is a way through the maze of scaffolding.

                  A tight squeeze under the bridge at the Tinsley Flight of Locks.

 And here a very deep lock. Not to worry about the steps as there is a path just out of shot to the right.

 Above each of the locks is a wide pond to allow boats to pass, and this gives room for moorings.

                                              After the top lock another broad pond and the towpath levels out.

 You might not think that we are about to enter Sheffield but the clue is on the left.

                                          And more so.  Note poor condition of towpath.

This is Victoria Quays, a nicely restored canal terminus surrounded by modern buildings. A good place for refreshment in the cafes adjacent, and you can take a boat trip from here.
The viaduct in the background is the Supertram route.  Yet more bridges!
They say that Birmingham has more canals than Venice, and I think that Sheffield has more bridges than anywhere that I have been previously.