Length:             from 4 to 7½ miles each (total approx. 75 miles)

Duration:          Varied

Difficulty:         Varied

Direction:         One way

Accessibility:   Various woodland pathways

 

Summary

Highlights:

The National Forest Way extends over 75 miles from the National Forest Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to Beacon Hill Country Park in Leicestershire.

You can walk it west to east or east to west, the choice is yours! The trail leads through young and ancient woodlands, hidden valleys, along canal towpaths, visits the market town of Ashby de la Zouch and celebrates the industrial heritage of this changing landscape at the heart of the Midlands. Walkers will witness the area’s evolution from a rural landscape, through industrialisation and its decline, to the modern-day creation of a new forest, where 21st century life is threaded through a mosaic of green spaces and settlements.

The National Forest Way takes walkers on a journey through a transforming landscape. You’ll discover the area’s evolution from a rural landscape, through industrialisation and decline, to the modern-day creation of a new forest. Here, 21st-century life is threaded through a mosaic of green spaces, towns and villages, all frames by woodland.

Suitable for experienced and new walkers alike, the National Forest Way reveals the history of a changing landscape, and is accompanied by leaflets, online information and clear signage, and has links into the main towns across the Forest.

The Way is divided into 12 stages ranging in length from 4 to 7½ miles. Each stage is designed to showcase a different aspect of The National Forest, such as the rugged natural beauty of Charnwood, the restored landscapes of the coalfield or the views from the Tatenhill ridge on the edge of Needwood Forest. This variety means that whether you are a nature lover, interested in industrial heritage or just love being in the open air, the National Forest Way has something for you to enjoy.

Stage 1  Beacon Hill & Bradgate Park                                          Leicestershire                                              7.25 miles

Stage 2  Bradgate Park & Thornton Reservoir                            Leicestershire                                             6 miles

Stage 3  Thornton Reservoir & Sence Valley                               Leicestershire                                              7.5 miles

Stage 4  Sence Valley & Ashby de la Zouch                                  Leicestershire                                              3.75 miles

Stage 5  Ashby de la Zouch & Ticknall                                          South Derbyshire & Leicestershire          7.5 miles

Stage 6  Ticknall & Hartshorne                                                       South Derbyshire                                        5 miles

Stage 7  Hartshorne & Moira                                                          South Derbyshire                                        6.25 miles

Stage 8  Moira & Rosliston Forestry Centre                                 South Derbyshire                                        7.5 miles

Stage 9  Rosliston & Branston Water Park                                   East Staffordshire                                       5.5 miles

Stage 10 Branston Water Park & Rangemore                              East Staffordshire                                      4 miles

Stage 11  Rangemore & Yoxall                                                        East Staffordshire                                      7.5 miles

Stage 12  Yoxall & The National Memorial Arboretum               East Staffordshire & Lichfield                  5 miles

 

Starting Point:

SK182145 – National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire

End Point:

SK522148 – Woodhouse Eaves., Leicestershire

 

Opening times:

Daily – Dawn to dusk

Facilities:

 

Map:

You can download maps for each stage from The National forest website here

 

Bus:

Please see The national Forest website for more details

Train:

Please see The national Forest website for more details

 

Other attractions in the area:

See bottom of page

 

Connected Paths:

 

 

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