We are The Outdoor City

1/3 of Sheffield lies within the Peak District National Park. We are the spiritual home of climbing in the UK, with unrivalled downhill mountain biking and infamous road cycling.

But it's not all about adrenaline fuelled activities. We are also a city to spend time in, where the rivers and hills connect culture and communities, ultimately making Sheffield one of the most liveable places you'll find, and one of the reasons we were ranked the Greenest City in the UK by a NatWest survey.

Get Outdoors in Sheffield

Mountain Biking

Best combined with a pub or two

Whether you want some gnarly trails or scenic views, we've got you covered.

Walking

From inner to outer city, it's all achievable on foot

From fascinating urban strolls to unexpected routes from city parks into the Peak District itself, the opportunities to explore Sheffield on foot are vast. Our annual Walking Festival is a great showcase for the variety of walking available.

Climbing

A whistle-stop tour of some of our famous crags and gritty boulders.

If the weather is bad we have some of the best indoor facilities in the country. But if it's good, you're in for a treat on the gritstone close to the city as well as the limestone in nearby areas of the Peak District. There's a reason Team GB Climbing base themselves here you know.

Road cycling

Explore on two wheels

Some of the most fabulous hill climbs, scenery and city to country cycling you'll find in the whole nation.

Running

Lace up and get out there

What better way to see a city? In ours you can run through industrial heritage into a national park without breaking a sweat.

We're a hub for all kinds of adventures

Walking, running, climbing, biking, wild swimming, caving, kayaking, orienteering... the list goes on. And if you can't find what you need within the city boundary then fear not, as it won't be far away.

The numbers say it all

1/3 of Sheffield is in the Peak District

The infamous Kinder Scout Trespass in 1932 led to the creation of the UK's first National Park. And luckily for us, one whole third of our city lies within the Peak District.

4.5 million trees

Combining our street trees, parks, woodlands and reserves we have more per person than any other city in Europe.

With 70 ancient woodlands

61% green space

As far as we are aware, we have the highest percentage of green space of any city in the world.

A Greenground Map of the city

Summer in the Outdoor City

Culture and nature, people and peaks. Summer is amazing, and even more so in Sheffield as there's so much to do outdoors and all the cultural happenings and festivals too! Have a watch of this to get a feel, and we'll see you in the coming months...

Want someone to show you the ropes?

There are loads of great activity providers in the city who can take you out, rent you gear, and generally mean you get to experience the best of what's on offer without needing to worry about where to go or what to bring.

Activity providers
A group of people learning how to do stand-up paddle boarding at Victoria Quays in Sheffield city centre.
Check out our top walks, runs and rides with pubs on the way

"If only there was a pub on this walk"

Luckily we are also one of Europe's brewing capitals

Festivals

City walks

We've got lots of suggestion for walks in Sheffield for you to explore here, but these are two of the best with plenty of fascinating things to see along the way.

A 15-mile loop from the urban to the rural at the southwestern edges of the city – taking in leafy parkland, woodland streams, and pretty suburbs. You can split the route into more manageable sections or tackle the whole thing in one go for a challenge.

A walk through centuries of Sheffield history – from the middle ages to the modern, via the Tudors, Victorians and two world wars. The trail takes its name from the Dukes of Norfolk, who previously owned much of the land it covers, having inherited it from the Earls of Shrewsbury. 

"Walking always lifts my spirits"

Julia Bradbury guides you round some of her favourite Sheffield walks, covering the hills and the peaks right down to the canals and industrial heritage of the city.

See

Videos of the walks

Two ramblers are walking up a hill. Down in the valley below them you can see rows of terrace houses and on the horizon you can see Sheffield city centre.

Outdoor Cityzens: looking after our world

Whether you live here or are visiting - biodiversity, the climate and nature crises, and health and wellbeing are important aspects of life to consider.

We want to help everyone make Sheffield more sustainable, eco-conscious and biodiverse.

Find out more
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