Paths less travelled

For decades this lovely landscape – often described as a piece of Southern England in the North – was almost exclusively the domain of local ramblers.

But the opening of the 79-mile Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail in 1982 has slowly changed that, and at least 500 people now walk the route each year. Thousands more walk sections of the route, using linked footpaths to create fine circular walks. Four of the most picturesque corners are visited by the walks below, and anyone discovering tranquil spots like Millington Dale

and Brantingham for the first time is sure to return.

South Yorkshire, too, has some fine walks which deserve wider appreciation, and Sheffield rambler Rob Haslam has just written a book outlining 30 circular routes. In such a heavily industrialised part of the North, it is heartening to see that many areas once scarred by mining and steelworks have now been regenerated. It's the amount of woodland in South Yorkshire that makes it a special place for walking in autumn. The Upper Don Valley and the Loxley Valley are explosions of reds and golds on fine days, and October is perhaps the best time to see the changing leaf colours along the towpath of the Chesterfield Canal.

1: THIXENDALE

Charming village and steep-sided valleys

The crescent of chalk hills known as the Yorkshire Wolds can, in several places, match any scenic gems boasted by

better-known landscapes in the Dales and North York Moors.

Thixendale is one such place: a grass-banked hollow that is both extremely pretty and peaceful.

Several fine walks emanate from the village, but the most interesting is along the Yorkshire Wolds Way to the deserted medieval village of Wharram Percy, which lost many of its population in the Black Death of 1348-49 but was finally emptied by landowners who replaced crop-growing with vast sheep pastures.

Return via quiet country lanes and see the lovely hidden valley of Fairy Dale.

Walk: 7 miles; 3 hours.

OS Map: Explorer Sheet 300 Howardian Hills and Malton.

Parking: Thixendale.

Refreshments: Thixendale.

2: MILLINGTON DALE

Tranquil Wolds valley

Just a short drive from the main Hull-York road but well worth the detour. People who discover this classic chalk dale

with numerous steep-sided offshoots usually can't wait to return, but just a few decades ago access was hotly contested here and East Riding ramblers held a mass trespass.

Today, despite some great footpaths, the area is still largely unused by walkers. One of the finest routes involves taking the Kilnwick Percy road out of the village then following the Yorkshire Wolds Way as it proceeds north above Millington Dale. Descending to Nettle Dale, follow the quiet lane back to the start via a short walk in the charming Millington Wood.

Walk: 6 miles; 3 hours.

OS Map: Explorer sheet 294 Market Weighton and Yorkshire Wolds Central.

Parking: Millington.

Refreshments: Millington, Pocklington.

3: KIPLINGCOTES

Nature reserve and disused railway track

There are many old railways in the Yorkshire Wolds, and the route of the former Market Weighton to Beverley line has made a lovely path for walkers and cyclists. It is especially interesting in autumn when the countless berry-bearing trees and bushes piled high on the embankments are alive with birds, including redwing and fieldfare. Directly accessible from the line is Kiplingcotes Chalk Pit, managed as a reserve by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and a delight to visit far into November. The best walk is to follow the Hudson Way signs from Market Weighton and then find an alternative way back via Goodmanham – although this requires some retracing of steps – or to return by the quiet metalled lane from the old Kiplingcotes Station.

Walk: 7 miles; 3 hours.

OS Map: Explorer sheet 294 Market Weighton and Yorkshire Wolds Central.

Parking: Market Weighton.

Refreshments: Market Weighton, Goodmanham.

4: SOUTH WOLDS CLASSIC

Wooded valleys and picturesque villages

Anyone who wants an easy introduction to the Yorkshire Wolds should visit this area of beautiful woods and dales on the western fringes of Hull, especially colourful in October. The map shows a line of four wooded chalk valleys – Welton Dale, Elloughton Dale, Brantingham Dale and Woo Dale and any one of them makes a good short stroll, but for the best circular walk take the Yorkshire Wolds Way out of Welton and cross to Elloughton Dale and the lovely church at Brantingham before working your way back. A longer alternative is to take in Woo Dale and use public transport back from South Cave.

Walk: 7 miles; 3 hours.

OS Map: Explorer Sheet 293 Kingston upon Hull and Beverley.

Parking: Welton.

Refreshments: Welton, Brantingham, South Cave.

5: THE RIVER WENT

Tree-lined banks and historic bridge

Right against the South-North Yorkshire border is this lovely wooded river which many glimpse fleetingly from the A1 but few bother to explore. The Went rises near Featherstone, flows eastward to the River Don, and is at its loveliest passing through the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Brockadale Nature Reserve, which consists mainly of craggy limestone outcrops and steep slopes of semi-natural woodland. A great walk starts from Kirk Smeaton, crosses the Went and follows the north bank to Wentbridge. According to legend it was here that Robin Hood and Little John met while crossing the river. Now switch to the south side and follow the river back to the start.

Walk: 4 miles; 2 hours.

OS Map: Explorer Sheets 278 Sheffield and Barnsley and 279 Doncaster.

Parking: Kirk Smeaton.

Refreshments: Kirk Smeaton, Wentbridge.

6: RSPB OLD MOOR

Great bird reserve at former mine

Well within living memory this part of the Dearne Valley was a classic colliery eyesore surrounded by slag heaps known as the Barnsley Alps. Today, the area has been transformed into a wetland bird sanctuary and autumn is perhaps the most interesting season with thousands of birds using it as a refuelling stop while on migration. A circuit is possible using both the good network of footpaths within the reserve (there is an admission charge). But rights of way on the perimeter – including the Dearne Valley Trail – also allow views of the ponds and lakes. Interesting autumn species include greenshank, green sandpiper, spotted redshank, ruff, black-tailed godwit, water rail, marsh harrier.

Walk: 7 miles; 4 hours.

OS Map: Explorer Sheet 278, Sheffield and Barnsley.

Parking: Old Moor, Darfield.

Refreshments: Old Moor, Broomhill, Darfield.

7: WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE

Stately home and parkland

Wentworth was once home of the Fitzwilliam colliery-owning family. Their magnificent 18th century mansion has 365 rooms and the longest country house faade in Europe. The surrounding countryside is an attractive mix of woods and parkland, and an area of mining activity has been successfully restored to its natural state. Several public footpaths head south from Wentworth village, leading to the northern fringes of Rotherham. Perhaps the best walk is to take the Trans Pennine Trail south-east across the park from Wentworth, turn right on to the Rotherham Round Walk to Scholes Coppice, then return on the footpath through Trowles Wood.

Walk: 5 miles; 2 hours.

OS Map: Explorer Sheet 278 Sheffield and Barnsley.

Parking: Wentworth.

Refreshments: Wentworth.

8: BITHOLMES WOOD

Beautiful ancient woodland

The Upper Don Valley, north of Sheffield, may be the most wooded place in South Yorkshire and is a joy in autumn. Most of the trees cover the eastern slopes, including Wharncliffe and Grenoside Nature Reserve, but across the A6102 road is the smaller Bitholmes Wood run by the Woodland Trust. In medieval times, it was part of a hunting forest, then used for mining and quarrying, and is now in the process of being restored and replanted with native sessile oak. Most of the paths are on a gradient but the effort is rewarded with fine views. An excellent circular walk involves following the path north to the edge of Deepcar and returning via Common Lane.

Walk: 2 miles; 2 hours.

OS Map: Explorer Sheet 278 Sheffield & Barnsley.

Parking: Limited verge-side on the Bolsterstone minor road.

Refreshments: Bolsterstone, Oughtibridge.

9: THE LOXLEY VALLEY

Woods, reservoirs and quaint villages

Within easy reach on the north-west side of Sheffield, the Loxley is a classic "green lung" for urban dwellers. In Victorian times, Sheffield Water Works filled it with reservoirs – Damflask, Agden, Dale Dike and Strines – giving the city a sort of miniature Lake District, and today their wooded banks look natural. The 53-mile Sheffield Country Walk runs through the valley, and can be used to explore the upper reaches. A shorter route is to start from the delightful village of Low Bradfield, take the path leading east along the north side of Damflask. Eventually crossing the dam, turn right to walk along the reservoir's south bank and return to Low Bradfield.

Walk: 4 miles; 2 hours.

OS Map: Explorer OL1 The Peak District.

Parking: Lower Bradfield.

Refreshments: Lower Bradfield, Damflask.

10: CHESTERFIELD CANAL

Beautiful towpath and woodland

Running 46 miles eastwards to the Trent, the Chesterfield's course through South Yorkshire is particularly scenic and makes a very popular walk. Stone for the Houses of Parliament, quarried at South Anston, were transported by this route. Locally, the canal was known as the Cuckoo Dyke,which is the origin of the name "Cuckoo Way" given to a long-distance route along the canal's towpath. A good circular walk is to join the canal from South Anston – there is a clear path on the village's east side – and walk eastwards to Cinderhill Lock, next to Broad Wood, and turn north to Lindrick Dale and the superb Anston Stones Wood Nature Reserve, which has been described as being like the Brazilian rainforest.

Walk: 7 miles; 3 hours.

OS Map: Explorer Sheet 279 Doncaster.

Parking: North Anston.

Refreshments: South Anston.

Roger Ratcliffe is author of the official guide to the Yorkshire Wolds Way, Aurum Press, 12.99. Newly published is Walking South Yorkshire: 30 circular walks exploring the ancient woodland around Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley, by Rob Haslam, Vertebrate Publishing, 12. To order copies from the Yorkshire Post Bookshop, call free on 0800 0153232 or go online at www. yorkshirepostbookshop.co.uk. P&P is 2.75.