The Big Walk 2025 - itinerary
Are you ready to be a part of the University's biggest fundraising event? Join us on Friday 27 June 2025 to fundraise for Neurological Disease research at the University of Sheffield.
What do I get for signing up?
By booking your place at the Big Walk, you'll receive:
- Entry to the Big Walk 2025 on Friday 27 June 2025 - this includes access to bespoke briefing notes in the run up to the event and support on the day
- Your Big Walk 2025 fundraising t-shirt and medal
- A packed lunch (please bring additional food as required)
- Snacks along the way
- A celebratory drink and hot food options at The Edge finish line
Big Walk 2025 walker briefing
The walker briefing will be taking place on Wednesday 25 March at St George's Church, St George's Terrace, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 4DP.
20-mile (32.8 km) route
Starting from Ladybower Reservoir, we have a Dark Peak classic. The route takes the high ground via Crook Hill, along Bamford, Stanage and Burbage Edges before finally returning you along the scenic Porter Valley for a hero's return at Endcliffe Village: a hot meal and a well earned medal!
We're keen for our walkers who like to "road-test" the route cards to try them out and give your feedback. Let us know if we can change anything to make these route cards easier to follow.
Schedule for the day
This may change prior to the event
| 8:10 | Coach leaves from the Octagon to start line - only for those who have purchased a coach place |
| 8:15 - 9:15 | Registration at Fairholmes Visitor Centre |
| 9:15 | 20-mile Big Walk begins! |
| From 12:00 | Lunch pick-up (further information to follow) |
| From 17:30 | Dinner and celebratory drink at the finish line, The Edge |
| 21:30 | Last walkers to arrive at The Edge |
31-mile (50 km) route
This Peak District epic starts with a scenic ascent of Whinstone Lee tor on Derwent Edge. The challenging hike then links Ladybower Reservoir with the delightful Alport Castles before joining fellow walkers on the 20 mile route across stunning edges back to Endcliffe Village for a well-deserved hot meal and medal - muscles of steel will be mandatory!
We're keen for our walkers who like to "road-test" the route cards to try them out and give your feedback. Let us know if we can change anything to make these route cards easier to follow.
Schedule for the day
This may change prior to the event
| 7:00 | Coach leaves from the Octagon to start line - only for those who have purchased a coach place |
| 7:25 - 7:45 | Registration at Mortimer Road |
| 7:45 | 31-mile Big Walk begins! |
| From 12:00 | Lunch pick-up (more details to follow) |
| From 17:30 | Dinner and a celebratory drink at the finish line, The Edge |
| 21:30 | Last walkers to arrive at The Edge |
Dates for your diary
Friday 30 May: Booking deadline. Also the deadline for swapping to the 20-mile route from the 31-mile route
Friday 13 June: Deadline for swapping to the 31-mile route from the 20-mile route
Wednesday 25 June: Walker & Volunteer Briefing at St George’s Church, St George's Terrace, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 4DP
Friday 27 June: The Big Walk!
Big Walk equipment - things to bring with you
Main rules of thumb:
- Look at the weather forecast and come prepared
- Steer clear of all things cotton - no jeans!
- Whatever you use, make sure it’s comfortable
You'll need:
- Day sack (lined with a plastic bag)
- Water bottle with at least 1 to 2 litres of water (more if especially hot)
- Sunscreen and hat
- Waterproof jacket and trousers for a wet forecast.
- Spare warm top
- Comfortable walking boots / shoes - there are some steep ascents and hard terrain (especially the 30m!) so bear this in mind when choosing your footwear
- Pair of spare socks
- Personal First Aid kit
- Mobile phone
- Food/snacks - snacks will be provided at several marshal points but be sure to bring enough food to keep you going until lunch and the finish line!
Optional items if you have them:
- OS Map sheets of the area
- Walking poles
The risk assessment for this event will be circulated with the Big Walk 2025 briefings.
Big Walk Will's training walks
Will, our Big Walk route planner, will put together a series of practice walks to get you fit and prepared ready for 27 June. Familiarise yourself with the route with this set of cracking practice walks.
Big Walk 2025 training walks - coming soon!
Fundraising for Neurological Disease research
Support the Big Walk 2025 at University of Sheffield and help to advance ground-breaking research into neurological diseases including MS, MND, dementia, Parkinson’s and stroke.
One in six people, and one in four over the age of 80, will develop a significant neurological condition in their lifetimes. With your support, Sheffield can develop life-saving new treatments.
These degenerative conditions exact a devastating toll on patients and their families.
- Motor Neuron Disease gradually robs an individual of their ability to move, speak, swallow, and breathe independently.
- Parkinson's steadily erodes a patient's motor functions, leaving them trapped in a world of tremors, rigidity, and an increasing loss of control.
- Dementia strips someone of a lifetime of memories, making their loved ones unrecognisable.
- MS can take a person’s strength, causing physical and cognitive challenges that may affect their ability to work, maintain relationships, and enjoy everyday activities.
- Stroke suddenly changes a patient’s life, robbing them of the ability to perform daily tasks and enjoy life.
You’ll help to fund the first site nationally to develop experimental genetic therapies for dementia and MND, and the first to deliver a highly promising new stem cell treatment for MS. You’ll also fund research into new potential therapeutics for stroke, and speed up the development of personalised treatments for Parkinson’s, helping to slow - or even stop - how quickly the disease takes hold.
Your support could truly be a catalyst for transformative breakthroughs that could cure these devastating conditions in our lifetimes.
Globally, neurological conditions are becoming one of the greatest public health problems worldwide. These conditions are placing an increasingly heavy burden on national healthcare systems. For many of these diseases, numbers are rising. There are 55 million people living with dementia around the globe and as our population grows and ages, it is estimated that this number will rise to 139 million by 2050.
Despite decades of research, these diseases are notoriously difficult to treat, with treatments masking symptoms rather than curing the root cause of these devastating illnesses.
A new approach to tackling neurological diseases has been long-needed.
And researchers in Sheffield are at the forefront of driving breakthroughs and bringing hope to millions at last.
Read the Big Walk 2025 Fundraising Guide.
Once you've bought your place, follow our instructions to set up your JustGiving page.