Burton-on-Trent · Friday 28 August
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National Forest

Walks Near Drakelow

Three National Forest Way stages running through our local patch

Local walking without driving halfway across the county

The National Forest Way passes through Moira, Rosliston, Branston and Rangemore, putting several stages within easy reach of Drakelow. These are official National Forest routes, with downloadable directions available from the route pages linked below.

Check route notices before walking. Stage 9 currently has a diversion around the new Trent river crossing works. Stage 10 currently has an impassable section between Tatenhill Lock and Tatenhill village. These notices were checked on 26 August 2026, so use the official route links below for the latest position.
National Forest Way Official trail →
Stage 8

Moira to Rosliston

7.5 miles · around 3.5 hours · medium

Starting at Conkers Waterside in Moira, this stage moves through young and established woodland including Cadborough Hill Wood and Grange Wood before crossing the Mease Lowlands towards Rosliston Forestry Centre.

Start Conkers Waterside, DE12 6BA Finish Rosliston Forestry Centre Surface Roads, unsurfaced paths, tracks, woodland trails and farmland

Unsurfaced sections may be muddy in wet weather.

Official Stage 8 route, maps and downloads →
Stage 9

Rosliston to Branston

5.5 miles · farmland, river and woodland trails

From Rosliston Forestry Centre the route crosses open farmland and the River Trent floodplain before heading towards Branston Water Park. It is one of the most locally useful stretches of the National Forest Way for Drakelow residents.

Start Rosliston Forestry Centre, DE12 8JX Finish Branston Water Park Map OS Explorer 245

Current notice: works for the new Trent river crossing are affecting the route between Walton upon Trent and Branston Water Park. The official page provides the suggested diversion.

Official Stage 9 route, diversion and downloads →
Stage 10

Branston to Rangemore

4 miles · around 2 hours · short

This stage starts at Branston Water Park, follows the Trent & Mersey Canal and crosses the valley floor towards Battlestead Hill and Tatenhill before continuing to Rangemore.

Start Branston Water Park, DE14 3HD Length 4 miles Map OS Explorer 245

Current notice: the National Forest reports utility engineering works between Tatenhill Lock and Tatenhill village. The route is currently described as impassable with no obvious diversion.

Check the official Stage 10 route status →
Useful Starting Points
Rosliston Forestry CentreWoodland trails, parking, cafe and a natural base for Stage 8 or 9. Branston Water ParkUseful for Stages 9 and 10, with lakeside habitat beside the Trent valley. Conkers WatersideThe official Stage 8 starting point in Moira.

Distances, route descriptions and route alerts are based on the official National Forest route pages. Always check those pages before setting off because rights of way, diversions and ground conditions can change.