Cycling The Trans Pennine Trail: Dunford Bridge to Wharncliffe Woods Route Review

We have wanted to cycle on this part of the TPT for a while, and we are so glad we have finally experienced it. It is a really beautiful part of the trail, and we met so many lovely people on our way.

We followed Google maps to Dunford Bridge TPT car park – a really nice car park with plenty of spaces, bike racks, and picnic benches. I did notice it had a bus stop too, actually, so people can travel there in different ways.  

The trail itself – starting at the western end of the Trans Pennine Trail, the route from Dunford Bridge to Wharncliffe Woods offers one of the most scenic and enjoyable stretches of the trail in South Yorkshire. It follows the old Woodhead railway line, giving a largely traffic-free and gently graded path that’s perfect for walkers, cyclists, and families. It is a very social part of the trail, and we met several nice people to chat to along the way.

The first set of people were volunteers from the TPT Conservation Volunteer group, who meet every Wednesday at 10 am – if you want to look at more details, here is the link to their website – Ryan and I had just been commenting on how clean and green this stretch was when we met them. It is lovely to meet people and hear about how people love their local area and are putting time and effort into keeping it beautiful. 

We were amazed at how many entry points there are along the trail, which is why we saw so many people joining it to go about their days, whilst using the trail. I wish we had this as close to use daily too. We are lucky that we can access the TPT not too far from our house, but this is ideal for local people from Dunford and Penistone, and the surrounding places – Millhouse Green, Thurgoland, Wortley.

History of the Trans Pennine Trail Near Denby Dale

The section of the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) between Dunford Bridge and Wharncliffe Woods follows part of the route of the former Manchester–Sheffield–Wath railway line, more commonly known as the Woodhead Line.

This railway was one of the great engineering achievements of the Victorian era. Opened in stages from the 1840s, it connected the industrial heartlands of Manchester and Sheffield across the rugged Pennine hills. The most famous feature of the route was the Woodhead Tunnel, a series of three tunnels burrowed deep beneath the moors just west of Dunford Bridge. The third and final tunnel, opened in 1953, was a major post-war engineering project and one of the first mainline railways in Britain to be fully electrified.

For over a century, heavy coal trains and express passenger services ran along this corridor, serving local communities like Penistone, Thurgoland, and Wortley. However, as industry declined and road transport grew, the line was eventually closed to passenger traffic in 1970 and to freight in 1981.

Rather than being lost to history, the route found a new life. In the early 1990s, local councils, volunteers, and the Trans Pennine Trail partnership began converting the disused railway into a long-distance multi-use path. The wide, gently graded trackbed made it ideal for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders, preserving both its industrial heritage and its natural beauty.

Today, the stretch between Dunford Bridge and Wharncliffe Woods forms one of the most attractive and accessible parts of the entire 370-mile Trans Pennine Trail network. Remnants of the railway’s past—such as old bridges, cuttings, and stone abutments—can still be seen along the way, quietly linking modern recreation with Yorkshire’s industrial story.

Ride Suitability

I would say this stretch is pretty much suited to everyone! It was pretty much flat the entire way there – the way back is slightly more on an incline, but you wouldn’t notice to the eye. The way back is always more challenging than the way there because of energy level,s so I would say make sure you have plenty of snacks and drinks to keep you going – a few sweets can really help when your energy is dropping!

We saw people walking, running, in wheelchairs, and on different types of bikes – road bikes, electric and mountain bikes, and more traditional bikes.

Detailed route

Dunford Bridge (Start Point)

The route begins at the Trans Pennine Trail car park in Dunford Bridge, a small hamlet. You start the trail on a newly surfaced trail heading east. After about 2 miles, you pass Millhouse Green, a small village on the River Don. The path runs alongside fields and wooded sections, with a few benches and side paths to local lanes. Then, after roughly 2 more miles, you reach Penistone, a traditional market town and key hub on the Trans Pennine Trail. The route crosses the impressive Penistone Viaduct, offering excellent views of the valley and town.

You then come to Thurgoland Tunnel (around 100 metres long) & Thurgoland Section. We loved going through the tunnel, but as you will see, our drone didn’t love it when it got dark, so we got footage entering at each side but not in the middle! This tunnel is lit for most of the day. Then you go past Wortley, where you could come off the trail to visit Wortley Forge, a historic 17th-century ironworks museum, on the right-hand side.

Ryan and I ended our journey at Wharncliffe Woods (Forestry England), but we will definitely be going back there, as there are many good trails to be cycled through the woods! We want to see the lovely views at Wharncliffe Crags over the Don Valley, so we will bring Matilda and Barney to do this another time.

Facilities along the way

There were so many benches along the way to sit and relax or eat your picnic. We sat on a nice bench just next to Thurgoland, where it was super sunny so it was glorious for a break and energy top up!

On our cycle back we went into Penistone and to a cafe called ‘The Arthouse Cafe’ on Church Street. It was exactly what we needed – a nice warm cost cafe with a very friendly owner.

We had a toilet stop and a drink (I also bought some things from the shop for future pressies!), and we met four cyclists who were telling us about their day and where and how they like to cycle together. I love these organic chats with people – Ryan and I were saying afterwards, this is what life is about – meeting people and sharing experiences.

Is It Suitable for Children?

Absolutely. You can choose to cycle as much or as little as you like. The section from Dunford Bridge has lots to see, so you could cycle a couple of miles and turn back around. The surface is excellent throughout, so more than suitable.

Ride Highlights

I always love cycling with Ryan (and M and B when they’re not at school) – we chat endlessly – and these days really make us feel on top of the world.

My first highlight was the scenery and cleanliness of this part of the trail.

My second was how social it was and all the nice people we met – we met two ladies who were walking the whole way there and back, and they recommended a place called Gisburn Forest, which I have since looked up, and it looks great. I love getting recommendations from people when we are out and about.

Would You Recommend It?

Yes, absolutely! It is ideal for anyone and we will be taking Matilda and Barney very soon. The volunteers from the group I mentioned earlier said they often put decorations up for different times of year, the next being Halloween, so definitely one for families. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cafe?

Yes! The first one is The Magic Wood Cafe, not long into the route – it wasn’t open for us when we were there, but Google says it is open Friday- Sunday, 10-2. The volunteers said it is a particularly wonderful cafe, so we will want to sample this soon!

There will be other cafes if you come off the trail at any of the exit points, but we know for sure there is plenty to eat in Penistone. In Wortley, there is the Wortley Arms and the Potting Shed Café, but we have not visited them ourselves.

What is your favourite part of the route?

I really enjoyed the first half, where the newly surfaced ground was great to ride on and the views were great, but honestly, I enjoyed it all.

Is it suitable for dog walkers?

Absolutely. This section of the Trans Pennine Trail is ideal for dog walkers — wide, mostly traffic-free, and with plenty of space for everyone to share. There are benches and shaded spots along the way. Just be mindful of others, and keep dogs under control / on a lead at all times.

How much is it?

The trail is completely free and open to everyone. There’s no entry fee or permit required — simply park at one of the trail access points (like Dunford Bridge car park or Penistone) and enjoy the route.

What is the terrain like?

Most of the trail was smooth and easy. There were parts where tree roots had lifted up under the tarmac, making the ground slightly uneven, but nothing major, and then towards Wharncliffe woods, it was a bit muddy.

Can you connect this route with other trails?

Yes! The Trans Pennine Trail (Route 62) connects seamlessly in both directions:

• Westward from Dunford Bridge toward Longdendale and Hadfield (for a longer Pennine adventure).
  

Eastward beyond Wharncliffe Woods toward Sheffield, Rotherham, or the Five Weirs Walk.
You can also link into Wortley and Wharncliffe Woods’ local bridleways and mountain bike trails, making it easy to extend or vary your route.

Final Thoughts

The Dunford Bridge to Wharncliffe Woods section of the Trans Pennine Trail is one of South Yorkshire’s most rewarding traffic-free routes. It combines open moorland, peaceful woodland, and a rich industrial past, offering something for everyone — whether you’re cycling, walking, or exploring with the family. We had been told how great this part of the trail is, and we are pleased that we have now seen it for ourselves, and we have also learned how many people love it too. 

You could also park at the other end and do it that way, or park in Penistone and do half of what we did, taking either direction. 

Respect the trail, leave no trace, and go home with a smile.

Cycle Route Rating

Last Updated on November 3, 2025 by Ryan