Five Pits Trails - Derbyshire


 This 7˝ mile long Trail can be used by people who want to walk, cycle and ride a horse. Sections of the Trail have been recently resurfaced providing easy access for everyone to enjoy. The Trail has been created by reclaiming the former mineral railway lines which served the local deep collieries of Holmewood, Williamthorpe, Grassmoor, Pilsley and Tibshelf. The Great Central Railway Company opened a new line to serve these five deep collieries which were developed in the middle of the nineteenth century.
A large site map detailing the heritage, wildlife and access opportunities can be found at each of the countryside sites along the Five Pits Trail.

The Five Pits Trail provides an off-road surfaced route for walkers cyclists and horse riders. The trail provides a 5˝ mile linear route from Grassmoor Country Park to Tibshelf Ponds passing through a mainly agricultural and woodland landscape. The trail can be extended to 7˝ miles, by following the route through to Williamthorpe Ponds and Holmewood Woodlands.

The Five Pits Trail was created by Derbyshire County Council between 1979 and 1989. The trail is based upon the route of the Great Central Railway which served the five main collieries of Grassmoor, Williamthorpe, Holmewood, Pilsley and Tibshelf.

Following closure of these and many other smaller pits along the railway the landscape has changed dramatically. Most of the original railway line was removed and parts of the land were opencast. Today the Five Pits Trail follows the approximate route of the original railway.

These landscape changes have resulted in the trail being undulating throughout, with a number of long steep slopes. Trail entrances are considered to be accessible for disabled people but surface conditions and the steep and undulating terrain may limit people’s access to some sections.

Ordinance Survey grid references
Pilsley car park SK 430 624