Walking in Doncaster

Walking is good for you. It improves your health, and it's a great chance to get out and meet people.

We have a series of walks for you, from gentle introductory routes to more challenging routes guaranteed ones to get your heart rate up a bit.

Gentle walks

Weekly walks

These are regular weekly short walks, designed with health in mind and are perfect for those who would like to become more active or perhaps lack the confidence and knowledge about where to walk. There are walks to suit all abilities and all walks are free of charge. For further details please download the following:

Doncaster Walking for Health Timetable 2017: Download (3.46MB)

Fit and Fun walks

Looking to take a nice gentle walk whilst enjoying some beautiful scenery? Try one of our Fit and Fun walks. These unled trails aimed at beginners range from 1 to 3 miles, with plenty of opportunities to stop and spend some time at a park, woodland or even a play area if you have little ones.

The full list of trails and trail routes can be downloaded below.

Askern

The Askern Fit and Fun Walk is roughly 2.7 miles (about 5,400 steps), with a chance to enjoy two of the borough's great parks along the way: Campsall Country Park and Warren House Park.

Askern: Download (642KB)

Carcroft

The Carcroft Fit and Fun Walk is one of our longest gentle walks, clocking in at about 4.4 miles (8,800 steps). If you're wanting a more casual walk we also have a mini Carcroft Fit and Fun Walk Route which is 1.3 miles (about 2,600 steps). Both walks pass by play areas as shown on the map.

Carcroft: Download (558KB)

Clay Lane

At just over a mile (about 2,400 steps), the Clay Lane Fit and Fun Walk is a nice gentle walk. The route is also adjacent to Sandall Park - a great way to get fit and enjoy a few hours at this beautiful open space.

Clay Lane: Download (491KB)

Denaby

The Denaby Fit and Fun Walk is 1.6 miles (about 2,800 steps), starting and finishing near a beautiful flower park. There's also a play park roughly half way through the walk for if you want to keep the younger ones occupied.

Denaby: Download (478KB)

Edlington

At 2.4 miles (about 4,800 steps), the Edlington Fit and Fun Walk is one of our longer walks. Don't worry: there's chance to enjoy a bit of relaxation in our recreation ground at the beginning or end of your walk.

Edlington: Download (626KB)

Hexthorpe

The Hexthorpe Fit and Fun Walk is almost 2 miles (about 3,600 steps). Why not enjoy an hour or two at Hexthorpe Park before you start your walk, or as a nice reward afterwards?

Hexthorpe: Download (635KB)

Highfields

The Highfields Fit and Fun Walk is just under 2 miles (about 3,800 steps) and is one of our most scenic gentle walks. Passing by a memorial garden in the first 1000 steps, you'll pass by one of our great outdoor spaces, Highfields Wood and Lake, in the last stretch of the walk.

Highfields: Download (589KB)

Hyde Park

At just over 2 miles (about 4,500 steps) the Hyde Park Fit and Fun Walk is a great way to enjoy some of the borough's great green sapces. Starting at Elmfield Park, you’ll then make your way round Town Fields before heading back to the park.

Hyde Park: Download (693KB)

Mexborough

Going right around the Mexborough market area, and passing by the town's library, the 1.4 mile (2800 steps) Mexborough Fit and Fun Walk is a great way to take in some of the town's main sights whilst enjoying getting fit and active.

Mexborough: Download (474KB)

Moorends

The Moorends Fit and Fun Walk is just over 2 miles (about 4,500 steps). Why not make time for a stop and a chill half way through at the recreational garden shown on the map?

Moorends: Download (633KB)

Rossington

Rossington Fit and Fun Walk is roughly 2 miles (about 4000 steps) with various play areas along with the way and a chance to enjoy a walk in Holmes Carr Great wood is at the halfway point.

Rossington: Download (625KB)

Stainforth

The Stainforth Fit and Full Walk is just under 2 miles (3700 steps) and passes by a range of facilities including play areas, a skate park and multi-use games area: plenty to keep any younger ones occupied.

Stainforth: Download (508KB)

Thorne

The Thorne Fit and Fun Walk is 2.3 miles (about 4,600 steps) with the start and finishing point not far from Toll Bar playing fields, which has a great multi-use games area.

Thorne: Download (660KB)

Toll Bar

Clocking in at about 6000 steps, the Toll Bar Fit and Fun Walk is one of our longest gentle walks. Bentley Park just about marks the half way point, and is a great place to enjoy a breather before carrying on with the walk.

Toll Bar: Download (477KB)

Town Fields

The Town Fields Fit and Fun Walk is split into three walks: a 950 step walk, a 2250 step walk and finally a 3600 step walk. Feeling brave? Why not tackle all three?

Town Fields: Download (2.02MB)

Woodlands

At just about 2 miles (4000 steps) the Woodlands Fit and Fun Walk is a nice leisurely walk, starting and finishing not far from a nearby park.

Woodlands: Download (628KB)

For more local walking routes, please visit Walk4Life.

Steady walks

Doncaster Walking Festival

Get Doncaster Walking festival is here again encouraging Doncaster residents to get more active out in their local community, appreciate Doncaster’s large open green spaces and have some fun.

It’s a great honour to announce that Doncaster’s Paratrooper, L/Cpl Ben Parkinson MBE will again be leading the first walk of the festival. The walk will be delivered in partnership with Club Doncaster Foundation and all proceeds raised on the day will be donated to Ben’s charity, Pilgrim Bandits. Ben will also be the official match day mascot for the Doncaster Rovers Vs Crewe FC fixture later in the day and all participants to the walk will be entitled to reduced price match day tickets for the game.

Get Doncaster Walking

We have a number of timetabled steady walks as part of Get Doncaster Walking. Please download the timetable below for all the walks taking place from now until the end of December.

GDW 2017 Jun-Dec flyer: Download (629KB)

Unled trails

See below for a number of unled trails aimed at beginners. For information on the following, please download the map listed for each route:

Walk distance and time
Accessibility information (description of walking land, and information on stiles, A-frames and gates on the walk)
Facilities information (parking and toilets)
Bus routes
Walk description with additional information/points of interest

Arksey

A 4 mile walk starting at Arksey Church, taking a circular route around the quaint village of Arksey and its surrounding countryside. Points of interest include the northern boundary of Arksey Ings, which is a designated local wildlife site.

Arksey: Download (2.64MB)

Barnby Dun

Starting at Kirk Sandall Railway Station, this 4.2 mile is a great way to take in some of Barnby Dun's beautiful wetland scenary including the Barnby Dun Old Don Oxbows and Croft Ings local wildlife sites.

Barnby Dun: Download (257KB)

Cantley Park and Sandall Beat

Setting off from Cantley Park Pavilion, this 3.6 mile walk will take you through Sandall Beat Wood, a designated site of special scientific interest with lots of rare and exciting wildlife.

Cantley Park and Sandall Beat: Download (239KB)

Challenging walks

More advanced walkers can give these trails a go. A number of clubs and organisations in that provide more challenging walking opportunities can be found on our 'Things to do in Doncaster' page.

Cusworth

Clocking in at approximately 5.8 miles, this circular walking route starts at Cusworth Hall and follows the Trans Pennine Trail and local footpath network around the parishes of Sprotbrough and Cusworth.

Cusworth: Download (261KB)

Fishlake

Starting at The Landing in Fishlake, enjoy a circular walking route around the historic village of Fishlake and the surrounding mosaic of ancient hedgerows, green lanes and meadows that make up the countryside in this area.

Fishlake: Download (234KB)

Volunteer walk leader training

We provide training throughout the year to volunteers to become health walk leaders. This course is open to anyone aged 18 years and above. Upon completion of the full day course, you will be awarded a nationally-recognised certificate.