St Swithuns to Kirkthorpe

(S/E) Start at the St Swithuns Centre on Arncliffe Road. Car parking behind the centre or on the roadside. From the entrance, turn left and walk down Arncliffe Road.

(1) Take the first right into Warmfield View, walk past Wakefield City Academy on your left. Continue to the end of the road and turn left into Park Lodge Lane. Continue down the hill past the houses and take the first right onto a track and continue through the trees. Take the first left to the link road.

(2) Walk across the link road and down the path and cross over Broadreach Lock stone bridge.

(3) Turn right and follow the path to the Blue Steel Bridge. Cross over the river, pausing to enjoy the fine views of the riverside. Follow the broad path and pass under the railway track via the tunnel. Continue on the left-hand path until you encounter a junction of paths at the verge of Low Wood. Take the path to the left which drops then climbs through the trees and through a gate. Follow the public footpath to the left until you reach another gate which leads into Kirkthorpe Village.

(4) At the end of the track turn right onto the road and up the hill and take the first left onto a public footpath which leads to Kirkthorpe Church. Retrace your steps back as far as the Half Moon Lake. Take the steep diagonal downward path on your right to the lake. Warning: take care as you walk down the path as it is steep and may be slippery in wet weather. Turn right and follow the path around the lake.

(5) Keep following the path as it bears right and then left to the stone-faced tunnel.

(6) Pass through the tunnel and turn left and keep left to merge onto the flood bank with the river on your right. Continue to the Blue Steel Bridge and retrace your route back to the St Swithuns Centre.(S/E)

Refreshments and toilets available in the St Swithuns Community Centre.

Mainly all-weather footpaths together with some field walking. Some steep hills. Climbing of metal stairs over the river bridge is unavoidable.