If you want a cracking trail through the scenic Nottinghamshire countryside. This is ideal for a Sunday ride with a little bit of spice. The trail is part of the 20-mile loop I call 'Pig Hill' due to the climb halfway round.

Pig Hill is one of the challenging local climbs. Aptly named as it goes right through the middle of a pig farm, and you are often grunted at as you pass. Starting at Main Road (B6020) near Ravenshead in Notts the climb is about a mile long ending at Longdale Lane. Check out the video which was taken on a sunny cool day and shows the trail in all its glory.

The trail is an excellent link from Thieves wood and Harlow Wood near Mansfield to Newstead Abbey and back. I don’t just use it in the Pig Hill loop, it’s one of those sections linking in lots of rides.

It starts on the corner of Main Road (B6020) between Ravenshead and Blidworth. Enter the trail through a gate at the bottom of the Hill splitting two fields. It’s then straight onto the first short sharp climb with Ravenshead visible to the right.

Ravenshead is a village in the Gedling district of Nottinghamshire. It borders Papplewick, Newstead Abbey and Blidworth, and is part of Nottinghamshire's Hidden Valleys area. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 5,636, reducing marginally to 5,629 at the 2011 census.

In days gone by, after the death of Thomas Becket, King Henry II supposedly to make up for this terrible deed, gave the Canons of the Order of St Augustine the land at Ravenshead where they set up a priory, the walls of which can still be seen today. In the Middle Ages the priory was a stopping place for pilgrims. However, in 1349 the prior died of plague. The soil in the area is very sandy and unsuitable for growing crops. so, there is no evidence of a settlement in the area until the 15th century when there was a hunting lodge called Langton Arbor, near present-day Blidworth Dale.

The legend of Robin Hood centres on the area of Sherwood Forest in which Ravenshead is located. Legend states it is possible that one of Robin Hood's followers, Friar Tuck, was inspired by the priory.

In 1966 a hoard of gold coins and jewellery was discovered by workmen on a building site near present-day Cambourne Gardens. The coins were probably buried by someone fleeing south after the Battle of Hexham in May 1464. The "Fishpool Hoard", as it is known, is on display at The British Museum, London. Fishpool, Notts is the name of the area where they were found as the building site did not have the name Ravenshead then. 100 years ago, Ravenshead was centred on an area called Fishpool, this name appeared on a 15th-century map.

Ravenshead is now a very affluent area of the East Midlands with much higher-than-average property prices and a diverse population of professional people, elderly people and skilled workers. It also serves as a commuter village to Nottingham. Farming was the main occupation in the area until the arrival of the local shops and schools. The only other industry in Ravenshead was sand quarrying. The first quarry was opened in 1919 to provide building sand for Nottingham and Hucknall.

Once you have reached the top of the climb you can freewheel and enjoy the descent that takes you between the fields, where you will start seeing the local residents, the pigs. This part of the trail is often very muddy or very sandy depending on the recent weather. Continue straight on and you will pass a small station on the left with Pig hill directly in front of you. Again, it’s a short sharp climb but can be deceiving.

Pick your way up the climb negotiating the little route filled section. There is a big stand out tree on the left-hand side. If you fancy a stop this is a great place as looking back over your shoulder, you have an amazing view with Blidworth to the right.

Blidworth is a village and civil parish approximately five miles east of Mansfield. Its history can be traced back to the 10th century, although many of the current houses were built in the first half of the 20th century to provide housing for workers at Blidworth Colliery (1926–1989).

According to Robin Hood legend, Will Scarlet is buried in the churchyard of the Church of St. Mary of the Purification. An unmarked grave stand near the iron gates of the churchyard, formed from the original apex of the church tower and other assorted stones, and is generally attributed to the outlaw. As outlaws were not generally buried in churchyards, though, it is more likely that, if he existed, Will Scarlet was buried in one of the much older graves to be found on the same hillside within the boundaries of Sherwood Forest. Other local legends suggest that Blidworth was the birthplace of Maid Marian, although there is little or no evidence to support these claims.

Continue up Pig Hill through the narrower section in the trees to reach a single-track path. From here it’s downhill all the way to the road of Longdale lane. It’s a great section to get some speed up, as long as there are no walkers. Exiting the trail onto Longdale Lane needs some caution as it is the edge of a four-way junction with plenty of traffic passing through, so keep your wits about you.

The trail can be used to link Blidworth and Route 6 with Linby and Newstead. It is part of the longer circular Robin Hood walking trail which loops through the Nottinghamshire countryside.

A cracking trail for those wanting a little challenge. Check out the next section of the Pig hill loop ‘Mountain Biking Blidworth Waye‘. An amazing wood to link biking routes together. Alternatively, if you missed the previous section, take a look at the section ‘Mountain Biking Route 6 to Ravenshead‘, a fast short sharp section.

This is the middle section of my Pig Hill loop, one of my go to rides in the summer. Check out the other sections in the series.
 
Mountain Biking the Pit Tip Kirkby

Mountain Biking Thieves Wood

Mountain Biking Harlow Wood

Mountain Biking Route 6 to Ravenshead

Mountain Biking Blidworth Waye

Mountain Biking Through Newstead Abbey

Pig Hill Loop Information