[1] Leave the car park back onto the road, turn left then at the next road junction turn right. Take the footpath right, The Ivanhoe Way, and follow this behind the houses of Stanton under Bardon.
Alternatively stay on the road, turn right onto Main Street, continue in front of the houses and, after 500m take the next footpath on the right.
[2] After about 400m, at a junction of paths, turn right (where the alternative route comes in from the village street) Follow this path across a level field. Ignore a path to the right now our path starts a steep climb, this can be muddy and slippery if wet. The path now follows the edge of the quarry for about a mile (no danger as it's well fenced). Do take the short path to the right over a stile which gives a view into the quarry where matchbox sized machines may be hard at work. To our left are distant views over open country.
(A) New Cliffe Hill Quarry's 600 million year old “Markfieldite” granite has been quarried from this site since 1989. It produces in excess of 4 million tonnes of aggreagate per annum which is used for rail ballast, road surfacing, driveways and sports surfacing. It also produces over 600,000 tonnes of asphalt each year.
[3] Joining a road turn right and pass over the rail line serving the quarry and cross the quarry access road.Take care when crossing this busy site entrance Turn right again onto a footpath. This path continues around the quarry edge and offers interesting rooftop views of huge modern industrial buildings.
[4] At the first junction of paths turn left and descend towards a pond. Turn right at the pond and ignore the next path off to the left.
[5] Continue on this path until you meet the next path which is along a dismantled railway, turn left along this and take the first path on your right, just after passing under electricity cable, to enter a field. Walk diagonally across the field to the far right corner where the path meets a dual carriageway.
[6] Cross the road with care This is a very busy and fast dual carriageway. Take care when crossing, to locate a path opposite which is slightly offset to your right. Continue through the first field. Turn left towards Brook Farm. Before passing the farm buildings turn right and follow the field edge path, note the dry stone wall on your left.
[7] After about 500m there is an offset crossing of path. From here we make a detour to Bardon Hill, at 278m its the highest point in Leicestershire. Turn left at this crossing and head towards the tree lined drive Cross the drive, take the footpath in front and bear right to cross the less attractive quarry road and continue to climb following the marked footpath.
[8] At a cross track with a waymark post continue straight on up through the heather and bear left before the wireless station to climb to the trig pillar. The trig pillar stands right on the edge of the quarry and offers excellent views to the north, west and south.
(B) Bardon Hill has been the site of a quarry since at least 1622 with large scale working starting in 1857. The hill has two very distinct faces. One half is preserved as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) having veins of quartz containing copper and gold and is home to the rare Charnwood red spider. The other produces over 3 million tons of crushed rock each year used for roads and buildings. On a clear day you can see the Malvern and Shropshire Hills, summits in Derbyshire and Lincoln Cathedral.
After taking in the view, (go on a good clear day), either retrace your steps or head for the mast. At the mast follow the surfaced track for a short distance before turning right onto a footpath to drop back down hill and then retrace your steps to [7].
Back at the cross tracks follow the Ivanhoe Way, offset left then right at the electricity pylon, to Old Rise Rocks, Rise Rocks Farm and its access road.
[9] At the end cross directly over the dual carriageway This is a very busy and fast dual carriageway, take care when crossing where a stile provides access to the Access land of Billa Barra. The path, to the left, is initially fenced but after two turns you can bear right and strike off to the high ground.
(C) Billa Barra is owned by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and the summit is a Regionally Important Geological Site with a natural outcrop of Pre-Cambrian rock of the Bradgate Tuff formation. The summit contains the site of an abandoned quarry which ceased production in the 1950s. The name Billa Barra is believed to mean 'burial ground' and it was possibly a burial ground for Saxons engaged in a local battle.
[10] Circle the high ground to admire the views before making your way back down to the car park passing the
'True Noon Column', created by David Nash, w
hich is one of a series in the National Forest.