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The old canal

Break Free with Greenwood Forest

Route type	walk (circular)
Distance	4.5 miles
Number of stiles	3
Surface and gradients	mixed surfaces and some steep gradients
Parking nearby	yes
On bus routes	yes - plan a journey
Starting point  Trowell on the A609 Nottingham Road (1/4 mile east of the M1 underpass. Lay-by with telephone box next to starting point)
OS map number	Explorer 260

Information

This gentle walk in the Erewash Valley takes in the delights of the now derelict Nottingham Canal, rich in wildlife and history. Whilst you are never far away from civilisation, the route keeps you largely hidden from the hustle and bustle of modern living, so leave your mobile phone behind, take your time and enjoy it.

What kind of paths will I find?

Each walk card (download PDF) has a letter and number (for example A3) in the top right hand corner. It describes the surface and slope of the easiest part of the site in dry weather in Pack 1 and the most difficult part of the route in dry weather in Pack 2. 

Surface (in dry weather):

A = Smooth (tarmac, paving, concrete etc.)
B = Quite smooth (short grass, compacted earth, compacted stone etc)
C = Uneven (worn grass, loose stone, some ruts and tree roots, etc.)
D = Rough (long grass, soft earth, sand or gravel, severe ruts and tree roots, etc) 

Slope:

1 = Gentle (up to 1:20)
2 = Quite gentle (up to 1:16)
3 = Fairly steep (up to 1:12)
4 = Steep (up to 1:8)
5 = Very steep (over 1:8)

On the map you will also find explorer routes, these go beyond the main routes and are for you to discover. The date on each map shows when the information about each walk was collected.

About Greenwood Community Forest

Greenwood is Nottinghamshire's Community Forest, and with a working partnership is transforming the local landscape to make it a greener and healthier place to be - on the doorsteps of over a million people living in and around the towns of Nottinghamshire.

There is a wide variety of things to do and places to visit - from the hectic and action-packed to the quiet and leisurely, there's something for everyone in Greenwood. Whatever your choice there are plenty of walks, cycle paths and bridleways to help you explore the beautiful and scenic countryside in Greenwood www.greenwoodforest.org.uk