Section 3 of 12, National Forest Way
Thornton to Ibstock
6.8 miles (11 km). About 2½ hours, moderate.
Start: SK 462 081. Finish: SK 402 115. 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 158 m of climbing and 174 m of descent; highest point 171 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Thornton.
- Bus stops
- Bagworth Lane, 60 m from the start. Directions SK 461 081Mill Lane, 130 m from the start. Directions SK 463 080Mill Lane, 190 m from the start. Directions SK 463 079
- Car park
- Car park (free), 860 m from the start. Directions SK 466 074
Getting back
The section finishes at Ibstock. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Victoria Road, 860 m from the finish. Directions SK 409 110Leicester Road, 890 m from the finish. Directions SK 408 108
Planning the National Forest Way
- Planning the whole trail: nationalforest.org.
What to expect
Underfoot: grass 45%, gravel and tracks 19%, paved or flagged 16%; the rest (16%) isn't recorded.
About 15% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 3 stiles, 3 gates.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 24 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pub
- The Donington Arms, Donington Le Heath: 5.3 miles in.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.