Dales Wood trail at Fineshade Wood

Taking between one and two hours to complete, this three mile waymarked route starts at the top of the car park. The car park is close to the visitor centre where you can grab a cup of coffee before you leave, or tea and cake on your return.

Around each corner you turn you will find different types of trees, flowers and wildlife. The start of the walk is particularly good for bluebells and orchids in springtime. Other sections are bordered with gently trailing hazel, showing off their long catkins in spring and hiding their round, brown nuts in autumn.

You will walk past gnarled, old oak trees and stately Scot’s pine, together with many more species. Butterflies love the more open areas which catch the sun in summer. There are some moderate hills in places. However, most of the trail is on level ground, and all is surfaced. Although this trail is surfaced, the gradients and unevenness of the trail may make it difficult for a wheelchair or a pushchair. If you wish, you can take a short detour to the Wildlife Hide, where you can view birds such as coal tit on the feeders or possibly deer on the lawn in the distance. You often see the greater spotter woodpecker in nearby trees.