Waymarked Trails

The National Forest Company has created a suite of promoted circular trails across the Forest. Ranging in length from 5 miles to 15 miles, they offer a variety of experiences and are designed to showcase the different landscapes of the Forest.

Each walk has its own dedicated leaflet containing a map of the route, detailed directions for how to follow it and information on places of interest along the walk. We recommend that you use these leaflets alongside the OS Explorer maps covering the National Forest.

Best kept villages walk

This 9 mile walk takes you through some of the prettiest villages in the Mease Lowlands. It links both ancient woodlands and those that have been planted as part of the developing National Forest. Village greens, historic houses and distinctive church spires are all features of this route.

Find out more

The birthday walk

In 2005, the National Forest Company had its 10th anniversary and the Birthday Walk was launched as part of the celebrations. The route covers 10 miles and was designed to link 10 sites created in the first decade of the Company.

Find out more

Charnwood peaks walk

This 15-mile walk takes you to the four peaks that define Charnwood Forest. Along the way you will pass the oldest rocks in Britain, visit historic deer parks and take in some spectacular views. Charnwood Forest is famed for its craggy hills and dry stone walls, but is also rich in wildlife. Look out for buzzards circling on the updrafts from the hills.

Find out more

Coal tips to country parks walk

This 10-mile walk takes you on a route which passes through former coal mining sites which have now been transformed into woodlands and country parks, and by the picturesque Thornton reservoir. Ancient woodlands and historic sites link the old and the new of the developing Forest.

Find out more

Coton circular walk

This 6-mile walk links new woodlands in the attractive rural landscape of the Mease Lowlands around the village of Coton in the Elms. Look out for the Noon Column at Grangewood.

Find out more

The grange walk

This 14-mile walk links the past, present and future of The National Forest. Historic houses, former coal mines, working granite quarries and new woodlands are linked in a route which celebrates the industrial heritage of the area and its future as part of the evolving Forest.

Find out more

Heart of the Forest trails

The Heart of the Forest trail takes you through the growing Heart of the Forest. Centred on the former mining village of Moira, the Heart of the Forest is a showcase for The National Forest. Where once stood colliery stocking yards, there are now new woodlands and facilities such as Conkers, the YHA hostel and Hicks Lodge Cycle Centre. It is a fantastic place to start your exploration of the National Forest. Seven interpretation sculptures are located along the trail, which tell the story of the...

Find out more

Monks & moorings walk

On this 6½-mile walk, you will encounter the past of Burton upon Trent and what the future holds for the surrounding area. See how the Trent and Mersey Canal played a part in the town's industrial history and how nearby gravel workings have been transformed into a nature reserve. Visit historic Sinai House and enjoy the wonderful views from the Needwood scarp. Pass through ancient woodlands and new woods planted as part of the growing National Forest.

Find out more

Mythaholme to memorials walk

This 5½-mile walk explores some of the older and more recent history of part of the Trent Valley. It passes mediaeval earthworks, the 18th century Trent and Mersey canal, 19th and 20th Century mineral workings and the 21st Century plantings of the National Memorial Arboretum, themselves commemorating recent history.

Find out more

Needwood circular walk

This 9-mile walk showcases the strong rural and historic character of Needwood Forest, with ancient woodland, old parklands, rich farmland and estate forestry blended together. Small hamlets and villages are almost hidden in the landscape. On the walk you will visit three sites which the Duchy of Lancaster has opened up to the public through the National Forest Tender Scheme, and pass another, privately owned wood planted with grant aid from The National Forest Company.

Find out more

Blackbrook beauty walk

This charming 6.8-mile circular walk encompasses rich history with ancient wooded trails and panoramic views over Charnwood Forest.

Find out more

The silver circuit walk

2016 marked 25 years since the first trees were planted in The National Forest. As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Silver Circuit was created. This 8-mile circular walk passes through Needwood Forest and down into the Trent Valley. It was designed to create a loop from the National Forest Way, which it follows between Tatenhill and the Trent & Mersey Canal.

Find out more

Spires & stiles walk

This 9-mile route passes through the pleasant farmland of the Mease Lowlands in South Derbyshire and links six key National Forest sites. The landscape feels very rural with large cropped fields, intact hedgerows and scattered game coverts linked with a good network of field paths and rural lanes. Tall church spires and isolated field ponds are distinctive features of the area.

Find out more

Parkland & woodlands walk

This rural 5.4 mile walk around Melbourne takes in stunning views, historic houses, and ancient woodlands. Along the way, you will visit the tranquil waters of Staunton Harold Reservoir, where you will see a myriad of waterfowl including swans, ducks, geese, and great crested grebe, before reaching the beautiful parkland of Calke Abbey famed for its historic 'unstately home' and herd of fallow and red deer.

Find out more

From the furnace walk

This five-mile circular walk explores the industrial and natural heritage of Moira. The route takes you through new woodlands and wildlife habitats and, as you go, look closely and learn something of the industrial past that once dominated this landscape.

Find out more

Mill, mines and railways walk

This 7-mile walk takes in wonderful ancient woodland and open countryside and passes many of the industrial heritage features of Swannington and Whitwick villages. You’ll see remnants of 5 railway lines, 3 mines, a castle and a restored windmill!

Find out more