YHA National Forest: Walk 2

There is very limited access by public transport. The Midland Classic bus No. 21 visits Overseal setting out from Burton on Trent which has a train station and occasional No. 9 buses from Coalville visit Conkers (The National Forest Hopper) Both are within 30 minutes walk of the hostel.

[1] Leave the YHA car park, turn right and take the tarmac path to the left of the Caravan Club sign. Turn left at the road for a few steps and cross over to enter Spring Cottage access area at the footpath sign. Take the main path and follow this the full length of the canal. Go straight on through the gap beside the stile, ascend the steps and continue alongside the railway until reaching a road.

[2] Cross over into Swainspark Wood and follow the main path left at the junction. This bears right past a wooden fence to reach a junction of paths at the entrance to Tunnel Woods. Cross the stile and follow the improved path alongside the fence. Turn right at the cross-path at the next Tunnel Woods sign.

[3] Turn right off this path as you reach the factory railings and pass through the kissing gate. Follow this wide grassy ride through an old gateway until you reach an information panel at a major path junction. Turn left on the Conkers Circuit with the hedge on your left to reach Occupation Road.

[4] Cross over and pass through the car park, following the  metalled road. Branch left between boulders on the gravel path leading to the lake. Turn right on the lakeside road for 50 yards then right at the junction. Bear left at the waymark post on the gravel path. Cross the road and follow the parallel path. Go straight on between fences where the road bends left.

[5] Cross the road and turn right. Turn left immediately beyond the railway on the Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail  and go straight on beyond the barrier through an attractive area of wetland. Turn right through the A-frame at the sign for the Ennstone Trail to return to the Youth Hostel.

The National Forest is a bold environmental project covering 200 square miles in the Midlands. Millions of trees are being planted on mainly disused coal workings to eventually link Needwood Forest in Staffordshire with Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire across a swathe of South Derbyshire. As well as the creation of forest and nature conservation, the area is being transformed into a tourist destination. These walks start from the Youth Hostel at the hub of this, close to the main visitor attractions.

Conkers is a major visitor attraction in two parts, the Discovery Centre  and the Waterside Centre . Both cater mainly for families, with much to amuse the children. The two are linked by a  miniature railway.

The Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail  is a 3.5 mile (6km) multi-user recreational route (Sustrans 63) utilising the former Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway.

www.visitconkers.com

www.nationalforest.org.

www.yha.org.uk/hostel/national-forest