Point

Description – Stage 1  Start Grid Ref SE 440017

dir

dist

climb

STA

Start S of the gate on the lakeside path SW of MWBC. Follow lakeside FP (L fork round creek)

SW

419

0

A01

Continue along lakeside FP, blue BR on L, sculpture on R.  At end of lake, ½ L (do not cross FB) to path junction.  L along main hard-surfaced FP, signed TPT.  Keep on FP, to L of stream, to underpass.

WNW

  1509

     0

A04

Follow FP under 2^nd BR, R across FB to RD. Cross RD, under metal arch ! after 100 m ½ L (before BR)

WNW

   572

     0

A05

FP signed Elsecar, on narrow path, cross RD.

W

   520

     0

A06

Go under metal arch. Surfaced path, parallel to dual carriageway, to Retail Park access RD 

SW

   936

     0

A07

Cross RD, R of Morrisons, down slope, following surfaced path, ½ R after open area

WSW

   666

    10

A08

Join canal towpath.  Follow canal under road BR,. to RD crossing

SW

   544

     5

A09

Cross RD, continue along towpath, cross RD, follow fence on L by RWY to stile, L on RD to level Xing at Elsecar

SW

  1460

    -5

A10

Over level Xing. ½ R on TK uphill, sweep R to top of field, take path to woods (usually flagged on day)

SE

   304

    39

A11

On entering woods proper, !! immediately fork ½R down path (initially obscure), sweeps downhill

S

   189

   -14

A12

Path swings L and uphill

S

   243

    25

A13

At end of wood, take TK (½R) (NOT field path ½L). Follow TK to RD

SSW

   691

    -5

A14

Turn L, follow RD to cross-roads (Wentworth).

SE

   315

    15

A15

SA. ½R then 600 m along surfaced TK to concrete TK on L at 4-way junction by house

SW

   640

    14

A16

½L. Cross TK. Downhill FP between fences/hedges, L, follow stream then R & L at gated FB

S

   942

   -44

A17

FP follows stream, R uphill to TK, L & R to RD

E,SW

   464

    25

A18

L through Thorpe Hesley to cross-roads

SE

   330

     0

A19

SA at cross-roads into housing estate

SE

   180

     -5

A20

L at T-junction to RD at bottom of hill.

SE

   98

   -10

A21

R then L down fenced path.  Keep to tarmac path to steps on L towards Health Centre

SW,SE

 97

-2

A22

L up steps, take path to L of pharmacy to crest of ridge

SE

   245

    20

A23

Turn L and follow ridge and path to RD

E

   897

     0

A24

R through Scholes to 90° R bend in RD.

SSE

   599

     4

A25

Take FP ½L for 80 m to stile on R

SE

    88

     0

A26

R uphill across open land 500 m to Keppels Column (landscape feature). Cross stile behind column (NOT stile at corner of field) to RD in housing estate

SSW

   509

    40

A27

Turn R to main RD

SSW

   134

     0

A28

L at  main RD, to 1^st RD on R (Golf Course access RD)

ESE

   454

   -15

A29

Turn R towards Golf Course,  ½L after 40 m down bank, across old CarPk to RD, L on RD, R at gates

SW

   134

    -6

A30

Follow FP between fence and hedge, bear L with fence then down to RD, follow to CP in pavilion. 

S

   373

  -14

CP1

GRANGE Checkpoint (1) Grid Reference SK 393939   Open 07:30 to 10:30   15.6  km

Point

Description – Stage 2

dir

dist

climb

CP1

Follow fence below CarPk, L at boulders to TK

SE

94

   -5

B01

Under BR, follow TK to RD

E

    38

   -1

B02N

R at RD, follow pavement 500 m to gated TK on L (opposite stile and steps from classic route)

SSW

   524

   -25

B03

Cross to TK, path L uphill after 30 m opposite statue, past second statue and minor paths on R and L, R at first path that goes UP from the main path, at remains of derelict stile.

SE

   383

    50

B04

R through (derelict) stile. In field follow chain link fence on R to RD, follow to X Rds. Hilltop

S

   414

     5

B05

SA on fenced path at L of new houses. SA and bear R alongside fence, aim for pylon at bottom of hill.

SSE

   500

   -34

B06

Fork L through hedge to steps to R of pylon, path to RD. Cross RD, through gap to R of gate (FP sign), bear L along TK for 70 m.

E,S

   100

   -10

B06A

R down steps, follow path to L through thickets to RD 

SE,E

126

-30

B07

L, follow RD 290 m to hidden path on R. Path is just past bus shelter behind next lamppost (No 35), at a small gap in bushes  (after TDE access gates, before JSG access gates)

ENE

   290

   0

B08

Path is at small gap between security fences, R in front of next security fence, parallel to RWY. Take care – sharp spikes on top of fence  - L over FB over RWY, down steps and R to towpath at river/canal

SSE

   156

   -14

B09

Along R bank of river for 1 km, crossing arch BR to locks.

S

  1029

   -15

B10

L across BR. L through stile

SE

    96

     9

B11

FP to RD, Tinsley. Cross RD, turn R then L after bus stop to service RD

SSW

   121

     3

B12

Follow service RD to main RD (Bawtry Rd) past Pike & Heron to Park House Lane on R, at top of hill

SE

   994

    17

B13

R, follow Park House Lane to end, just before warehouse CarPk.

SW,SE

   709

     5

B14

L on fenced path, !! R (after only 40 m !!) behind warehouse, between (damaged) fences to field, follow fence on L to stile and RD

NE,SE

    547

     0

B15

R along RD, go under BR to Wood Lane

S

   268

     0

B16

R down Wood Lane to airport access RD at end

SW

   259

     0

B17

L at RD (The Car People on L), follow RD to roundabout near Mercure Hotel, after bus shelter. 

SE

   419

     0

B18

L at roundabout then R on FP (ROW), opposite third lamppost.  Follow direction of arrow on FP to stile close to main RD. Cross stile, L, follow FP  to R of fence to steps leading under BR 

NE,E

   386

    -9

B19

Follow fence R below main RD and R after BR. Immediately L following fence on path across rough land, emerge to field then L by hedge to FP to L of wooden fence round houses

SE

   213

     0

B20

Follow FP, cross RD, FP between fences. Follow RD to Catcliffe. 

ESE

   320

   -20

B21

R on main RD to RD junction (main RD goes R), to FP on L

SSW

   297

     0

B22

L on FP over earthbank. Follow TK/ path at edge of plateau (not fisherman’s path just above river), follow path to brick red TK parallel to river.

SE

   892

    20

B23

L across large grey-green bridge over river, initially R then straight uphill to FB over RWY

NE

   190

     0

B24

SA up RD to gateway to CP at sports ground at end of high fence on R. 

NE

   179

   -10

CP2

TREETON checkpoint (2)  G.R. SK 431875    Open 8:30 to 12:00  10.1 km (25.7 total)

Point

Description – Stage 3

dir

dist

climb

CP2

From sports ground, go back through gate, R, immediately R at FP signs (TPT and ROW)

NE

    5

     9

C01

Take FP alongside upper fence of sports ground.  Keep SA until path starts to go downhill

SE

   438

    -9

C02

!! ½R through stone squeeze (obstruction to stop bikes) under telephone wire to bend in TK

SE

   244

     0

C03

SA over concrete FB, follow lakeside path, SA to terraced houses

SE,S

   938

     0

C04

150 m SA to main RD, cross dual carriageway

S

   172

     0

C05

R for 300 m, over BR. After joinery works, !! L on FP (TPT ) between fences !!

SW

   339

     0

C06

Take cycle TK alongside fence and under viaduct

SE

  1301

     0

C08

Continue parallel to RWY, under (new) RD BR to TK (route crosses bridge)

SE

   527

     0

C09

R on TK to RD, R to 2nd (main) RD

SW,N

    52

     0

C10

R following RD over (new) RD BR to roundabout, to FP on R, 100 m after RWY,

NE

   187

     0

C11

!! Acute R down FP back to RWY, bear L, continue parallel to RWY to Rother Valley Park.

SW,SE

   588

     0

C12

At fence corner, up flood bank, L before RWY BR, follow L bank of river to RD.  SA along RD

E,SSE

  1641

     5

C13

Follow park access RD to main RD

ESE

  1241

     5

C14

R on pavement, cross RD at tarmac TK on L just before stream (bridge) at bottom of hill

S

   108

     4

C15

Follow tarmac TK to canal, merge L to towpath, uphill (Norwood).  Follow canal bank past houses, through gate to L of fence.  Continue on canal towpath to stile to field.

NE,E

   628

    25

C16

Follow R edge of field to motorway embankment, R on TK, L under BR

E,SE

   338

    20

C17

After BR, R parallel to motorway. At TK corner, take trod ½L over hill to stile at summit

SSE,SE

   603

    19

C18

SA to Woodall village. SA through village for 300 m, to FP (hidden) after Todd's cottage (No 26), before barn !!

SSE

   504

   -15

C20

L on FP across field (weave between electric fences) aiming for church, 800 m to FB and stile

E

   738

    -9

C21

½R, 4 stiles/gates in line

SE

   315

    14

C22

R across field to playground and stile to CP in sports ground hall at L end of  CarPk

SSE

   164

     0

CP3

HARTHILL checkpoint (3)  G.R. SK 492806   Open 9:30 to 14:00. 11.9 km (37.6 total)

Point

Description – Stage 4

dir

dist

climb

CP3

Go onto RD, L, to pub

E

    68

    -0

D01

Bear L just after pub, take FP (snicket) to main RD, L to signed FP after wide drive on R 

E,N,E

    84

    15

D02

FP up steps, cross lane, up access TK to stile on R at end

E

   120

     0

D03

Cross stile, follow FP along line of hedges (2 stiles), uphill to L edge of woods (access at stile). SA, exit by 2^nd stile. SA to second wood. Wind turbines ahead.

E

  1023

     9

D05

½R in front of wood to lane. Turn L for 30 m to stile on R

SE,E

   232

     0

D06

Cross stile, ½L from stile, cross 3 fields diagonally to lane, cross lane.  (Bearing 102°)

102° E

   463

   -14

D08

SA (jink R at end of 1^st field, then L along hedge) over fields to TK at FP signs (Bearing 96°)

96° E

  1377

   -22

D10

Cross TK, aim for gate to R of farm in valley. (Bearing 96°) Follow signed FP past farm to gate

96° E

   367

   -12

D12

Follow path down and up earthbank to RD (Top Hall Farm).

E

   268

     0

D13

R, then ½L over stile (opposite RD junction). Go diagonally across field to opposite corner, to gap in hedge.

NE

   432

    -9

D14

Bear R, follow hedge at back of airfield, through farmyard to lane

ENE

   405

   -10

D15

Turn L (downhill) to RD junction, L at junction, R at next junction

N

   166

    -2

D16

Follow RD to corner, to FP signed Turnerwood

NNE

   177

    -2

D17

Go SA on FP to lane, R on RD to canal BR at Turnerwood. (There is often an unofficial drink station here). Follow L bank of small stream to stile at RWY

NNE

   749

     0

D18

Cross RWY TAKE CARE Turn R, follow FP on L of ditch. Go L round back of farm to TK

NE,N

   534

    -5

D19

Turn L uphill on TK towards woods, down, cross BR. 

NE

   430

     0

D20

Keep with fence on R. After 300 m, bear R along a TK past a shed (keep fence to field on R, following yellow posts).

N

   258

    10

D21

Fork L (obeying Permissive Path signs), then L to tunnel

N,NE

   388

   -13

D22

After tunnel, turn L as signed, passing to R of putting green to next sign (partially hidden between tree and bushes), go R behind line of bushes.  Follow bushes to path at corner between bushes. L at T-junction,  cross a fairway, emerging opposite lane

N,NE,N

  391

    13

D25

½ R  up lane, down to cross-roads at Butchers Arms, Woodsetts

N

   783

    -5

D26

SA for 100 m to access RD

NE

    71

     0

D27

Turn R to Woodsetts CP in sports pavilion

SE

   105

     0

CP4

WOODSETT, the mid-Checkpoint (4) with food and transferred kit  G.R. SK 554837 

Opens 10:15; You may be asked to retire after 15:30  9.2 km (46.8 total)

Point

Description – Stage 5

Dir

dist

climb

CP4

L out of pavilion, head towards RD, going round playing fields to stile

SE

   121

     0

E01

L along RD to end of village

SE

   331

    -5

E02

L on TK opposite shops, past barrier, to tall hedge

NE

   312

    -4

E03

R in front of hedge, over FB.  SA across fields, cross causeway between ponds before house

E

  1574

   -10

E06

Turn L on FP opposite house and between fences to stile to R of Wallingwells house, emerge on TK

NNW

   304

     5

E07

R along TK to TK fork

NE

   126

     0

E08

Take R fork, follow TK to tarmac RD. !!L on FP behind first lamppost at start of housing estate!!

NE

   913

     5

E09

Follow FP through shrubs, on R of field (diverts into housing estate) to RD   Carlton-in-Lindrick.

N

   578

   -10

E10

Turn L to L bend in RD, after industrial estate

W

   192

     0

E11

!! Acute R turn to FP between fence and overgrown stream, below open hill

NE,N

   751

     0

E12

SA in wooded area, L then R across parkland to L of old toilets, L to FB to park RD by Langold Lake

W,N

   155

     0

E13

Turn R by lake, then L across dam, follow main park RD past CarPk to park gate

NE,N

   472

    -5

E15

Turn L, R on FP at back of small CarPk, behind sign. Follow main FP through woods to stile.

N

  1091

    17

E16

Turn L following hedge along TK past fields, through woods to lane

NW

   879

    19

E18

SA across RD to (initially) wide TK, downhill, CP on L just before RD (and pub)

NW,W

   725

   -25

CP5

FIRBECK Checkpoint (5) in Village Hall on left   G.R. SK 564885

Open 11:00 to 17:30  (18:00 for 4am starters) 9.0 km (55.8 km).

Point

Description – Stage 6

dir

dist

climb

CP5

Leave hall, L along RD to FP opposite RD (Kingswood Close)

SW

    81

     4

F01

R along signed FP/TK. Follow zig-zag TK

NW

    308

    -4

F02

R bend in TK: continue along main TK

N,WNW

  653

     8

F03

R bend in TK to L bend in TK along earthwall,

NNE

   390

    11

F04

SA. Ignore BP, keep L alongside earthwall/hedge.  Main TK is to R of hedge, swings to R at gate

W

   481

     5

F05

Follow TK R, towards house.  Go L of house (gate).  Emerge onto TK, turn L

N

   171

    -5

F06

Track emerges onto RD, acute R

NW

   121

   -10

F07

Follow RD down, then up to gate on L 20 m before main RD

NE,N

   147

     5

F08

L at gate, across field aiming for stile just R of ruin (Roche Abbey).

W

   718

    -5

F09

Follow path/TK to CarPk

NW

   189

     0

F10

Through CarPk, follow valley path, cross lane

NW

   433

     5

F11

Continue along valley path, to R of stream .

NW

   713

     5

F12

Follow main path ½R uphill to top path

N,W

    79

    14

F13

Turn L then L under RWY (narrow BR). Continue along path/TK to lane

NW

   412

    -4

F14

Cross lane, follow path to playing field, cross field, drop slightly to (hidden) gate to right of bush

NW

   541

     4

F15

Cross fields (more gates) then R fork into churchyard

N

   295

     0

F16

Path through Maltby churchyard. Out at lych-gate, to CP in church hall on right

N

    68

    11

CP6

MALTBY checkpoint (6) in church hall G.R. SK 527919

Opens 11:45; You may be asked to retire after 18:30 (19:30 for 4am starters)   6.3 km (62.1 km total)

Point

Description – Stage 7

dir

dist

climb

CP6

Go uphill, turn R at T junction to RD

NE,E

    96

     8

G01

Cross RD then L up broad steps. cross main RD at Pedestrian Crossing (Maltby)

N

    65

    14

G02

Go up side RD (B-road) past school, round bend to L. SA on minor RD where B-road bends R

N,W

   288

    14

G03

Continue along RD, SA at crossroads to TK

W,NW

   884

     5

G04

Follow TK, L in front of gate

NW

   313

     5

G05

Follow wall round, first down 50 m, turn R, 100 m, ½R up walled path diagonal uphill following right hand wall of house grounds to TK (Ignore TK on right, steeper uphill)

SW,NW,

   166

    -5

G06

Follow TK to RD at farm.  The trig point on R of TK is at Foredoles Head, County Top for Doncaster

NW,N

  1203

   -42

G07

Turn R along RD CARE – traffic will be going very fast!  to first junction on L to Micklebring at No HGV sign

E

   226

   147

G08

Take RD on L through village to 4-way junction.  Turn ½R, (L of small village green) to FP (signed) after last house on L

N,NE

   856

   -58

G09

Take path on L of field to stile at L corner (below M18 motorway) (Follow White “Heron Way” disk signs to Hooton Roberts). 

NNW

   367

   -71

G10

Take path alongside fence (below M18) past 3 stiles to TK.  Turn R, under M18

WSW,N

   180

    -7

G11

L on TK parallel to M18. !! After 150 m, R at broken stile, cross field (indistinct path if any) to track bridge (between posts) over stream and R round end of bushes.

WSW,W

   290

    -9

G12

Take (usually) defined FP across field to gap in hedge (aim for white “Heron Way” disk on brow of hill) on bearing of 270° (due west). Between boulders on BR across railway cutting. Cross stile to L of gate.

270°

W

   342

     4

G13

Bear ½R (turn R through 30°) and cross field to gap in hedge, to L of high point of ridge; Do not drop into valley on L. Cross path (R then immediately L). Aim for Emley Moor TV tower, red lights at night

302° NW

   502

     4

G14

Cross field to L end of hedge near opening. Don’t go through opening; take TK to L of hedge

NW

   379

   -12

G15

Follow TK, bear L near end of field to path between hedge and fenced paddock to TK. Turn R

NW

   794

   -41

G17

Track between buildings, L and then R down and over stream. Turn L on signed FP (hidden sign)

N,W,N

   223

    11

G18

FP (Bearing 320°) across field (uphill) to escarpment, ½ R to woods, immediately turn L down FP

NW

   533

    19

G19

Go ½ L, following steep muddy path at L edge of wood. Path widens to TK, then lane.

W

   428

   -39

G20

Follow lane to start of village

N

   346

     5

CP7

HOOTON ROBERTS checkpoint (7) in barn, 1^st building on L G.R. SK 485969
Open12:15 to21:00 (21:45 for 4am starters) 9.1 km (71.2 km total)

Point

Description – Stage 8

dir

dist

climb

CP7

Follow lane to main RD (Hooton Roberts)

NW

155

-3

H01

Go SA down lane, ½ R on TK.  Where lane turns L, follow TK to R

NW

   691

 -6,+6

H02

Follow TK uphill. Pass barrier. Follow (interminable) TK, drop into field after top of hill.

N

   867

    25

H03

L following TK in field to gate, go down field, crossing TK to stile.

NNW

   379

   -35

H04

Go R along RD, bends R

N

   267

    -9

H05

Follow RD to first junction, turn L at telephone box

NE

   238

     0

H06

Go down Ferry Boat Lane. Cross RWY via FB (TAKE CARE on steep steps)

N

   426

   -13

H07

Cross river, go to end of path, L to canal.

N,W

   107

     3

H08

½ R on path UNDER FB!! (Do not cross canal) Follow canal towpath

W

   492

     0

H09

½ L at earthbank (before small FB) to Mexborough station CarPk. 

SW,W

   218

     0

H10

Small signed BR (subway) under RWY, R then bear L (not up to platform). FP on R bank of river to RD

S,SW

   561

     0

H11

SA at RD, up bridge over RWY and canal. 

W

   378

     5

H12

On BR, after canal, !! turn L down steps to open area (Swinton) (almost) SA along RD

SW

   257

     0

H13

RD turns R, turn L after low fence to canal before main RD, turn R under BR

W,NW

   162

     0

H14

Follow towpath to R of canal, L at end under RWY BR

N,W

   291

     0

H15

R up tarmac path in playing field to RD

NNW

   462

     0

H16

Cross RD to stile (½ L)  Follow illuminated cycle TK

NW

   214

   -20

H17

Continue along illuminated cycle TK to Dearne Valley College.  

N,W

   402

     0

H18

Follow RD through college, SA at roundabout

NW

249

0

H19

Follow RD to Manvers Roundabout. Take 2nd exit Barnsley A6023 (R of MANVERS sign.

NW

245

0

H20

Follow FP/cycle TK. Pass 3 roundabouts, cross RD at Ped Xing after fire station, follow RD to L

WNW

1475

0

H21

At roundabout, cross RD, and turn R Follow Bolton-upon-Dearn RD to MWBC entrance on L

NNE

296

0

H22

Follow TK to MWBC

W

141

0

FIN

FINISH (8) G.R. SE 441 018  Aim to finish by 22:30.  9.5 km (80.7 km total)