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Balk Wood

13 ha

📷 Ian Calderwood · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsDogs
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome13 ha

Getting here

53.12327, -1.52244

Open directionsv
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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — canopy now fully closed, creating cool dappled shade even on warm days
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 🅿️Parking 368m away — 2 car parks within reach

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Blackbird +75 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Blackbird +75 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Common Green Grasshopper, 22-spot Ladybird, Helophilus pendulus +8 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Common Green Grasshopper, 22-spot Ladybird, Helophilus pendulus +8 more · last seen 2025

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Forest walks

Public woodland

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

10 signed routes nearby · 13 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Midshires WayWalking route370 km

Multi-use trail links the Ridgeway National Trail with the Trans Pennine Trail

Named routeLength 370 kmRegional walking route
Limestone WayWalking route74 km

Castleton to Rocester

Named routeLength 74 kmPoint-to-pointRegional walking route
High Peak TrailWalking route27 km
Named routeLength 27 kmRegional walking route
Derwent Valley Heritage WayWalking route89 km
Named routeLength 89 kmRegional walking route
South Chesterfield WayWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

9 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 54Cycling route
Named routeRef 54National Cycle Network
White Peak LoopCycling route
Named routeRef 680National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route2.3 km
Named routeRef 680Length 2.3 kmNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface flexsurface
Main RouteCycling route852 m
Named routeRef 680Length 852 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route336 m
Named routeRef 680Length 336 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route785 m
Named routeRef 680Length 785 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
🚵

Mountain biking

2 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
High Peak TrailMountain bike route27 km
Named routeRef High Peak TrailLength 27 kmPoint-to-pointLocal cycle route
Great North Trail (Peak District and South Pennines)Mountain bike route130.4 km
Named routeLength 130.4 kmNational Cycle Network
🐴

Horse riding

5 public paths nearby

Public paths
Wood Lanebridleway · 244 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 244 mSurface dirtPath type: track
Wood Lanebridleway · 144 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 144 mSurface dirtPath type: bridleway
Wood Lanebridleway · 407 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 407 mSurface gravelPath type: bridleway
Wood Lanebridleway · 191 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 191 mSurface gravelPath type: track
Wood Lanebridleway · 13 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 13 mSurface gravelPath type: track

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Balk Wood

📷 Ian Calderwood · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Balk Wood

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Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Hall Leys ParkUrban park2.6 km→🌱Knowleston GardensUrban park2.4 km→🌱Memorial GardensUrban park2.5 km→🌱Lovers' WalksUrban park2.5 km→🌱Hall Leys ParkUrban park2.6 km→🌱Derwent GardensUrban park2.6 km→

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