Wortley and Wharncliffe Crags Circular
South Yorkshire
Wortley is an estate village on the northern edge of South Yorkshire where dogs need a lead near the unguarded drops along the top of Wharncliffe Crags, built around Wortley Hall and the Wharncliffe Estate. The crags run for about 4km above the Don valley and have been quarried for stone for centuries, and the path along their top gives wide views north into the valley below. The route also passes the site of the old Wortley railway station and crosses the A616, A61 and A629 at points, so there is some road walking mixed in with the woodland tracks and farmland. There is 252 metres of climbing in total, on woodland tracks that can be confused by motocross use in places, field paths and quiet lanes, plus a handrailed section down towards How Brook.
This dog friendly walk covers a lot of ground, mixing farmland where dogs should be on a lead with long stretches of woodland where a dog with good recall can range more freely. Livestock is likely in the fields around Wortley, and the road crossings need dogs kept close and leashed. The crag top path has unguarded drops, so a lead is sensible there too, especially with young or excitable dogs. There is no water on route, so carry enough for a long walk with your dog. Wortley Hall and the village have limited casual parking, so park considerately opposite the church, and there are pubs in the village for afterwards.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 13.0 km (8.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr 40 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Moorland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on route; pubs in Wortley village.
- Parking
- Roadside parking opposite the church in Wortley village; no dedicated car park.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Wortley and Wharncliffe Crags Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Green Farm Holiday Cottages - The Pig Sty
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £523 / 7 nights
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wortley and Wharncliffe Crags Circular dog friendly?
This is a solid walk for dogs, rated 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. It offers a good mix of woodland tracks and field paths across a varied circuit, though it does ask a bit more of owners in terms of lead management than a fully off-lead route would. Dogs who are comfortable with varied terrain and a longer outing will get a lot out of it.
Can dogs be off lead at Wortley and Wharncliffe Crags Circular?
There are stretches of woodland where a dog with reliable recall can roam more freely, but leads are essential in several places. The crag top path has unguarded drops, the farmland around Wortley is likely to have livestock, and the route crosses the A616, A61 and A629, so you'll want your dog close and leashed at those points. It's a walk that rewards attentive owners rather than hands-off ones.
What should I know before visiting Wortley and Wharncliffe Crags Circular with my dog?
There is no water available on the route, so bring enough for a long walk — this is probably the most important thing to plan for. Parking is roadside opposite the church in Wortley village, so arrive with that in mind rather than expecting a car park. The woodland tracks can be disrupted by motocross use in places, and there's a handrailed descent towards How Brook, so the terrain is varied enough to keep both you and your dog on your toes. Pubs in the village make for a welcome finish.
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