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Pleasley and the Five Pits Trail

Route type	walk/cycle (circular)
Distance	16 miles
Surface and gradients	mixed surfaces and some steep gradients
Cycle hire	no
On bus routes	yes - plan a journey
On road sections	yes
Starting point	Teversal Trail visitors centre, Carnarvon Street
OS map number	Explorer 269

This route winds between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. It makes use of the newly extended and linked Teversal and Five Pits Trails. You'll be rewarded by some great views and the chance to see some beautiful hidden places in an often overlooked and forgotten part of the two counties.

Directions

1. Starting at the Teversal Trail Visitor Centre, turn right to follow the trail, beautiful in its own right, while passing through some lovely countryside. The route takes a sharp left turn after one mile (signposted ‘Skegby Track’). Continue on this track, crossing Batley Lane and through an old railway cutting, before joining Longhedge Lane. The lane runs up the western side of Pleasley Pit Country Park.

2. Follow Longhedge Lane north west, heading slightly uphill (this section can be very muddy at times - an alternative route is to go through the Country Park) until you come to a concessionary bridle path on your left (it's only marked as a footpath on the OS map). You pop out on a quiet country lane (Dale Lane). Go straight ahead, then right, then left at a junction signposted to Ault Hucknall. Then there comes a couple of miles of what I call "My kinda cycling", i.e. beautiful countryside and downhill! You'll get a glimpse of Hardwick Hall (ignore the bridle path to it), pass the ancient church at Ault Hucknall and after a very steep descent, you'll pass Stainsby Mill and go under the M1. Turn left onto Mill Lane then almost immediately right towards Stainsby Village.

3. The next bit is steep but bearable. Passing through Stainsby Village, travelling along Hawking Lane, you will come to a bridleway on the right. Follow this for a short distance, then take a left turn onto the signposted ‘Holmewood Bridleway’. Go along the bridleway, heading slightly downhill, until you come to a public footpath/concessionary bridleway which crosses. Go left through trees for a couple of hundred metres, until you come to the main five pits trail. Go left (south) following the trail for the next few miles.

4. Although it's built on old railway lines, it's surprisingly undulating, but take your time and take in the scenery. You can see as far as Crich Stand. Pass over the B6014 Tibshelf Road, and continue to Timber Lane, taking a short right, then left turn. Continue along the trail crossing Locko Lane (Locko Plantation), then across Station Road (Pilsley) continuing to Tibshelf following the Five Pits Trail signposts. At Tibshelf cross High Street and continue past Tibshelf Ponds before joining the Silverhill Trail. Turn left.

5. Follow this great bit of track north east and gradually uphill for about three miles until you arrive back at your starting point, at the visitors centre.

Please note:

• This cycle route includes both off and on-road sections. Bikes with narrow tyres will be unsuitable for some sections.
• Please remember to take extra care when cycling on roads.
• Distance: Approximately 16 miles (can be extended using Brierley Forest Park or The Silverhill Wood Country Park)