Section 4 of 12, National Forest Way
Ibstock to Ashby de la Zouch
6 miles (9.7 km). About 2 hours, moderate.
Start: SK 402 115. Finish: SK 357 167. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Up and down
About 127 m of climbing and 133 m of descent; highest point 142 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Ibstock.
- Bus stops
- Victoria Road, 860 m from the start. Directions SK 409 110Leicester Road, 890 m from the start. Directions SK 408 108
- Car parks
- Sence Valley Country Park (pay), 360 m from the start. Directions SK 402 112Car park (free), 370 m from the start. Directions SK 400 112Car park, 540 m from the start. Directions SK 405 120
Getting back
The section finishes at Ashby de la Zouch. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Market Street, 10 m from the finish. Directions SK 357 167The Green, 140 m from the finish. Directions SK 357 168
Planning the National Forest Way
- Planning the whole trail: nationalforest.org.
What to expect
Underfoot: grass 50%, paved or flagged 29%, gravel and tracks 21%.
About 28% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 3 stiles, 1 kissing gate, 1 gate.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 22 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- Bull & Lion, Packington: 4 miles in. Food, real ale, seats outside.Railway, Ashby de la Zouch: 5.6 miles in. Seats outside.Twelve, Ashby de la Zouch: at the finish. Seats outside.The Shoulder of Mutton, Ashby de la Zouch: at the finish. No dogs, seats outside, step-free.Bowling Green, Ashby de la Zouch: at the finish. Seats outside.The Plough, Ashby de la Zouch: at the finish.
- Cafés
- Reformii, Ashby de la Zouch: at the finish.B's House - Coffee & Soft play, Ashby de la Zouch: at the finish.Norths, Ashby de la Zouch: at the finish.La Zouch, Ashby de la Zouch: at the finish.Costa, Ashby de la Zouch: at the finish. Step-free.The Orchid of Ashby, Ashby de la Zouch: at the finish. Seats outside.The Nook at Packington Cafe: 4.2 miles in, about 300 m off the way. Seats outside.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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