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The Erewash Canal was opened in 1779 to provide an outlet for collieries on the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border. It descends 109 feet from its northern end at Langley Mill to the River Trent at Trent Lock, a distance of nearly 12 miles. Although initially highly profitable, competition from other canals and the railways began to eat into trade in the 19th century. In 1932 it passed to the Grand Union Canal Company and was nationalised in 1947. Narrowboat carrying ceased in 1963, but the waterway continued to be maintained to provide a water supply for industry in the lower Erewash valley. This meant that it was relatively easy to restore as a cruising waterway and since 1983 pleasure boaters have been able to use the entire length of the canal.

National Route 67 of the National Cycle Network runs from Long Whatton near Loughborough to join National Route 71 near Northallerton in Yorkshire. The stretch between Chesterfield and Leeds forms the main route of the Transpennine Trail (central).