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.

A group of people enjoying kayaking on the canal at Victoria Quays in Sheffield city centre.
A group of people, out walking, stop next to a rocky outcrop to have a photo taken.

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.

Two people mountain biking through the heather on a hillside above Sheffield.

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.

A group of walkers are strolling through heather, at an event that is part of The Sheffield Walking Festival.

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.

Three people bouldering in the peak district.

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.

A cyclist on a road bike cycles through the country side.

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.

Four people are running along a road, out in the country side.

The Outdoor City + water = fun

Three people are stand up paddle boarding on a canal that runs through a city centre. A variety of inflatable obstacles are floating on a lake. Two young people are having fun canoeing on a stretch of water in the countryside.

DC Outdoors

With 20 years experience, DC Outdoors offer a wealth of adventure activities, including Rock Climbing, Canoeing and Stand Up Paddleboarding.

DC Outdoors

Aqua Park

Try out the “Total Wipeout” style Aqua Park (inflatable outdoor water assault course) in Rother Valley Country Park.

Aqua Park

Peak - Underbank Activity Centre

Peak - Underbank Activity Centre offer various watersports from canoeing to raft-building, and they also have many different land based activities to choose from.

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.

Urban greenery

A weir on the River Don in the centre of Sheffield. In the background is Lady's Bridge. A wide path leads to the main glass house in Sheffield Botanical Gardens. Four people are sat on the grass at Meersbrook Park in the sun. In the distance you can see Sheffield city centre. A path stretches away into the distance, either side is planted with a huge range of plants and flowers.

Five Weirs Walk

The Five Weirs Canal Walk is an accessible walk starting from Lady's Bridge, at Grey to Green in the Castlegate district of the city centre. It stretches for 7.5 km along the River Don to Meadowhall shopping centre, passing the five historic weirs from which it takes its name.

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Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Situated close to the city centre, the gardens were opened in 1836 and now cover 19 acres. Listed by English Heritage as a Grade II site of special historic and architectural interest, there are over 18 different garden areas, based on geographical or botanical themes from across the world, with over 5500 species.

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Parks with a view

Given all the hills in Sheffield it’s no surprise that many of our favourite parks find themselves incorporating a steep gradient or two. In these cases, there are some stunning views to enjoy across Sheffield and beyond.

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Grey to Green

Grey to Green is an award-winning scheme bringing colour and sustainability to inner-city Sheffield, and once a month it hosts the fabulous Pollen, an inner city flower market and Sunday hangout spot.

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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 2nd highest percentage of green space of any city in the world.

A Greenground Map of the city

An illustrated map of Sheffield highlighting all the outdoor activity that takes place in and around the city.

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

Find out how to connect blue and green spaces in The Outdoor City

What's a Greenground map?

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.

Sheffield Round Walk

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.

Sheffield Round Walk"> A horse stands on a slope eating grass in Mayfield Valley. In the distance you can see Sheffield city centre.

Norfolk Heritage Trail

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. 

Three people with rucksacks are walking towards Sheffield Manor Lodge.

"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.

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Videos of the walks

A woman stands on a wooden bridge over a stream, enjoying a day out walking.
A row of tall trees are silhouetted against a low sun.
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.

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