Bowden Housteads Wood is crossed by many attractive paths including this one in the northern part of the wood.

Two versions of this trail can be followed depending on the age and enthusiasm of those involved.

The shorter version of the trail, which is restricted to the northern section of woodland, is 1.5 kilometres ( just under 1 mile) long. The route is generally relatively flat although the section down to the Car Brook slopes more steeply. If required, this section could be avoided by continuing along the Trans Pennine Trail between points 6 and 10 of the trail.

For those wishing to follow a longer route, an extension to the trail taking in the two southern sections of the woodland is provided. The length of this full trail is 2.8 kilometres ( 1.7 miles). Again, most of this route is reasonably flat.

The starting point for both versions of the trail is the parking area off the slip road to the Sheffield Parkway. Alternatively the trail can be joined at a number of other points where it comes close to or crosses the perimeter of the site.

Enter the wood at the public footpath sign towards the end of the parking area.

1. Just inside the wood, stop and look at the range of trees, both in terms of their species [Oak, Holly and Sweet Chestnut are dominant here] and their age and size [from small saplings to mature trees].

Continue along the path to near the end of the footbridge over the Sheffield Parkway. Do not cross this but instead carry on for a short distance past the bridge and then turn left down steps and take a smaller path away from the Sheffield Parkway and into the centre of the wood.

2. Listen to the sounds, from both within and outside the woodland. Although only a short distance from the Sheffield Parkway, this area supports a large number of birds and at some times the volume of bird song relative to the noise of the traffic can be remarkable.

The range of trees here includes Oak, Beech, Sweet Chestnut and Sycamore. In spring the woodland floor is rich in Bluebells.

Continue along the path and at its end turn right to join a wider path.

3. The path here crosses a small stream, a tributary of the Car Brook. Along this and other streams through the wood, there is a greater variety of tree species than elsewhere. Trees and shrubs that can be seen at this point include Hawthorn, Birch, Holly, Elder, Hazel and Sycamore.

Just after the stream, to the left of the path, is a multi-stemmed hazel which may be a relict of the time when Bowden Housteads Wood was managed by coppicing.

Turn left after the stream.

4. The path goes through an area of tall Oaks and Beeches. Note the amount of young Beech to the right of the path and look for Beech seed cases (known as Beechmast) on the woodland floor.

Beech is not a native tree in this part of Britain but it nevertheless germinates and grows well and, as a result, can compete with native species. Its prolific regeneration will need to be controlled if it is not to come to dominate this area of woodland.

Continue along the path

5. To the right of the path is one of a number of new seats placed in the Bowden Housteads Wood, as part of the Fuelling a Revolution programme, which make use of natural materials from the woodland itself.

Notice how the presence of a seat here, whilst desirable, also has the negative effect of encouraging graffiti and litter.

Just beyond the bench, where two paths cross at an angle, take the left fork. At the next path junction, take the left fork again, continuing for some distance until you meet the wide Trans Pennine Trail. Turn left along the Trans Pennine Trail to a bridge over a small stream marked with a TPT sign.

6. The Trans Pennine Trail is a coast-to-coast network of paths running from Liverpool to Hull and ultimately connecting with paths across Europe which lead all of the way to Istanbul!

The Trail has been built to be suitable for a wide variety of users including walkers, cyclists, horseriders and people with disabilities.

After the bridge, fork right and then right again away from the Trans Pennine Trail along a small and at times somewhat indistinct path. Follow this path parallel to the woodland edge and then head down the slope to the wooden 'duck boarding' across a wet area associated with a small stream.

7. On the left is a small ravine cut by a tributary of the Car Brook. This is surrounded by relatively dry Oak-dominated woodland.

To the right is a wet area dominated by Crack Willow. This type of wet woodland is called carr and it is probably from this that the Car Brook derives its name.

Continue to the Car Brook which flows throughout the year, in contrast to its tributary, which is often dry.

Retrace your steps across the duck boarding and turn right up the path just after the tree with a hole. The path runs parallel to the stream course.

8. Look at how the stream has cut down, exposing layers of rock. The stream is often dry but has increased flow at times of heavy rain as a result of run off from the roads cutting through the wood. This has caused it to cut down further into the rocks than it would have otherwise done.

9. The clearing to the left of the path is the result of the felling of a group of trees. This has been done to open up the tree canopy and let in light, thereby enhancing the ground flora, promoting the growth of young trees and improving the shape and increasing the lifespan of the trees left standing.

Notice how some of the timber from the felling operation has been left on the ground to encourage the wildlife associated with dead and decaying wood. Search on and under the fallen wood for fungi and invertebrates.

Continue for a short distance further and then turn right to rejoin the Trans-Pennine Trail. Continue along this onto the footbridge over the Sheffield Parkway.

10. This footbridge carries the Trans Pennine Trail over the road. Notice how each end of the bridge is fitted with 'A-frames' designed to let through pedestrians, cyclists and people in wheelchairs but to keep out motorbikes and cars.

Consider the impact that the Sheffield Parkway has had on the amenity value and wildlife of the woodland by dividing it into two halves.

If following the shorter version of the trail, do not cross to the other side of the Sheffield Parkway but instead retrace your steps to the end of the bridge. From here, turn left and follow the path back to the parking area.

If continuing the trail, carry on across the footbridge into the southern part of the wood. At the path crossing on the far side of the bridge, continue straight on, following the Trans Pennine Trail in the direction of Beighton. Shortly after crossing a small (usually dry) stream valley, take the right fork, continuing along the Trans Pennine Trail.

11. To the left of the path is another clearing created by woodland management at the corner of a Beech dominated area.

Continue along the Trans Pennine Trail and across the bridge over the Mosborough Parkway.

12. From this point there is a good view across the Car Brook Ravine with its mix of unimproved grassland, heathland, wetland, scrub and willow carr, to the Manor Estate.

Turn right down the path the surfaced path parallel to the Mosborough Parkway.

13. On the other side of the fence, the banks of the Mosborough Parkway have been planted with and colonised by a wide range of native and introduced tree and shrub species. These include Hawthorn, Cherry, Blackthorn, Ash, Oak, Poplar, Broom, Rowan, Bramble, Wild Rose, Hazel and Birch.

Continue along the path and then turn right across the second bridge over the Mosborough Parkway.

14. This bridge gives a good view northwards across the Don Valley. Features that can be seen from here include steelworks, the Don Valley Stadium, Meadowhall, the Tinsley cooling towers and the area of Tinsley Park where opencast coal mining is currently taking place. Beyond the valley of the River Don can be seen Wincobank Hill.

At the open area on the far side of the bridge continue straight on and slightly to the left (not sharp left) down the surfaced path.

15. This open area on the edge of Bowden Housteads Wood provides an excellent contrast to the woodland itself. It is being colonised by a range of trees, including Ash, Rowan, Birch, Alder and Oak. The area also supports a variety of wildflowers, suited to life in open places, including Tufted Vetch, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Thistles and Buttercups.

Continue along the path to the woodland edge.

16. Despite being so close to a busy main road, the shrubby growth of Oak, Birch and Broom at the edge of the woodland provides an excellent habitat for birds.

Continue along the surfaced path, keeping parallel to the Sheffield Parkway. Turn left to recross the bridge and turn left back to the parking area.