GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail

4 miles (6 km)

This lovely short cycle and walking trail runs from Measham near Ashby-de-la-Zouch to Moira along a disused railway path. The path passes old Donisthorpe Colliery site, which is now a Woodland Park and Conkers - a forest-based attraction with a number of activities to enjoy. The trail includes a pleasant waterside section along the Ashby Canal.

Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

In Moira there's the splendid Moira Furnace to visit. There's a fine country park here with woodland and parkland trails surrounding the early 19th century iron furnace. There's also a museum featuring lime kilns and craft workshops. Here you can learn all about Moira's significant part in the industrial revolution. The woods, ponds and mountain bike trails of Hicks Lodge are also located near here and well worth exploring.
Just to the south east you'll find more woodland trails and a series of pretty lakes at Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood and Sence Valley Forest Park on the outskirts of Coalville.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Leicestershire Walks page.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Bridge over Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail at Oakthorpe, Leicestershire

Bridge over Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail at Oakthorpe, Leicestershire

Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail - geograph.org.uk - 797839

Woodland path approaching Measham.

The Ashby Canal at Donisthorpe, Leicestershire

The Ashby Canal at Donisthorpe, Leicestershire

Moira Furnace - geograph.org.uk - 275644

Moira Furnace, one of the highlights of the trail. Moira Furnace, with its ramp over the Ashby Canal, was Built by Francis Rawdon Hastings in 1804. Intending to exploit local minerals to smelt iron, it failed within months and was soon colonised by locals in need of housing. The building was used in this way right through to the early 1970's when it was earmarked for demolition. Thankfully it was saved and now is a jewel in Britain's industrial heritage.

Signpost on the Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail, Oakthorpe and Donisthorpe, Leicestershire

Signpost on the Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail in Oakthorpe and Donisthorpe

Do the splits - geograph.org.uk - 421143

Do the splits. A dog makes his mind up between the two paths splitting off from the trail.

Elevation Profile

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)