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Please use the links below to view full route information including descriptions, elevation profiles, interactive maps and GPS downloads. You can also view an overview map of all the routes in the county here
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| Leicestershire Walks |
| Route Name | Pic | Distance | Description |
| Around Corby |  | 31 miles (50 km) | This is a delightful circualar walk which visits a number of pretty villages and parks around the town of Corby in Northamptonshire.
You start off at East Carlton Country Park on the edge of the Welland Valley and follow the path through a series of pretty villages including Wilbarston, Geddington, Great Oakley, Gretton, Rockingham, Stanion and Brigstock.
Walk highlights include a visit to the 17th century Elizabethan House at Kirby Hall. The Great Hall and state rooms are impressive as are the surrounding grounds of the estate.
Rockingham Castle is another major attraction on route. Built on the instruction of William the Conqueror, the castle's Great Hall and Long Gallery are particularly noteworthy, while the 18 acre gardens are also well worth exploring. |
| Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail |  | 4 miles (6 km) | This lovely short cycle and walking trail runs from Measham near Ashby-de-la-Zouch to Moira along a disused railway path. The path passes old Donisthorpe Colliery site, which is now a Woodland Park and Conkers - a forest-based attraction with a number of activities to enjoy. There is also a pleasant waterside section along the Ashby-de-la-Zouch canal.
Please click here for more information |
| Brampton Valley Way |  | 14 miles (23 km) | This walk and cycle trail runs from the outskirts of Northampton to Market Harborough along the trackbed of a disused railway line and NCN route 6. The route passes Brixworth, Maidwell and Great Oxendon with Brixworth Country Park just off the route. This is well worth a small detour as you will find the lovely Pitsford Water and cycle hire if needed.
As well as the beautiful rural scenery you will also pass Northampton & Lamport Railway with its old steam railway on this pleasant trail. |
| Grantham Canal |  | 32 miles (52 km) | A lovely peaceful walk alongside the Grantham Canal from Grantham to Nottingham.
The walk takes you through through the glorious Vale of Belvoir and passes Woodsthorpe, Redmile, Harby, Hickling and the delightful country park at Cotgrave on the way. |
| Ivanhoe Way |  | 35 miles (56 km) | Travel through the setting of Sir Walter Scott's 19th century novel on this circular walk around Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire.
The path starts Ashby-de-la-Zouch and first heads to Moira where you will follow the Ashby Canal for a short stretch. The route continues passing Shackerstone, Coalville and Staunton Harold. Highlights on the path include the Ashby Canal, Cliff Hill Quarry and Staunton Harold Reservoir. Also look out for the National Trust owned Calke Abbey near the Staunton Harold Reservoir. This Grade I listed country house is slightly off the route but well worth a visit. |
| Jubilee Way (Leics) |  | 21 miles (34 km) | Follow the Jubilee Way through Leicestershire and into Lincolnshire on this delightful walk.
The walk starts off at the beautiful Burrough Hall Country Park and heads to Melton Mowbray passing Little Dalby on the way. You continue north through Melton Country Park, with its pretty lakes, before joining the Scalford Brook which takes you to Scalford. The path continues through Eaton and then to a pleasant wooded section through Barkestone Wood that leads to the impressive Belvoir Castle. This 19th century castle has a splendid interior with grand State Rooms and several notable paintings by Gainsborough. The gardens are also beautifully laid out making the castle a real highlight on the trail. The walk finishes soon after at the pretty village of Woolsthorpe by Belvoir. |
| Leicestershire Round |  | 102 miles (164 km) | Explore the countryside, villages, canals, rivers and reservoirs of Leicestershire on this interesting and varied circular walk. The walk beings at the lovely Bradgate Deer Park near Newtown Linford and heads to Swithland reservoir, Burrough Hill Country Park, the Grand Union Canal at Market Harborough, Saddington reservoir, Bosworth Battlefield, the Ashby Canal at Shackerstone and Thornton Reservoir. The route is accessible passing close to the following major towns: Oakham, Melton Mowbray, Loughborough, Hinkley and Lutterworth. |
| Macmillan Way |  | 290 miles (467 km) | This long distance path links Boston in Lincolnshire to Abbotsbury in Dorset. It is promoted to raise money for the charity Macmillan Cancer Relief.
The route starts from Boston and then runs across the Fens to Bourne before joining the limestone belt. You then head to Stamford and then along the shoreline of Rutland Water to Oakham. The trail then heads south and west via Warmington to Stow-on-the-Wold, then into the Cotswolds via Cirencester and Tetbury to Bradford-on-Avon. After leaving the Cotswolds you follow the path through Somerset passing Castle Cary before entering Dorset and the final section to Abbotsbury via Sherborne.
The route joins with other popular trails including the Viking Way at Oakham, the Thames Path National Trail near Thames Head and with the South West Coast Path towards the end of the route.
The Macmillan Way is well waymarked with a green and white disc. |
| Mowbray Way | | 9 miles (14 km) | A short walk through the Leicestershire countryside from Scalford, passing Waltham on the Wolds and Buckminster park before finishing at Buckminster. Highlights on the route include several small villages and Buckminster Park and Hall at the end of the route. |
| Nuneaton Rotary Walk |  | 24 miles (39 km) | This super circular walk was devised by the Nuneaton Rotary Club and takes you on a tour of the countryside, parks and canals around Nuneaton. The walk begins at Weddington, by the River Anker and passes Hartshill, Higham on the Hill and Hinckley.
The main attractions on the walk are the delightful waterside stretches along the Coventry and Ashby de-la Zouch canals.
You will also visit the beautiful Hartshill Country Park where you will find 137 acres of woodland and open hilltop with magnificent views across the Anker Valley.
The next attraction near route is the splendid Arbury Estate just outside Nuneaton. Here you will find a beautiful Elizabethan mansion house surrounded by beautiful 18th century landscaped gardens and over 100 acres of lakes and parkland.
This is a fairly easy walk with good access points just to the south of the route start at Nuneaton rail and bus stations. |
| Viking Way |  | 147 miles (237 km) | Follow in the footsteps of the Norse invaders on this long distance walk from the Humber Bridge to Oakham in Rutland. The walk passes through the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB and some delightful Leicestershire countryside before rounding Rutland water to the finish point at Oakham.
Walk highlights include
- Views of the Humber Estuary and the Humber Bridge at the start of the route.
- The interesting former Roman towns of Caistor and Horncastle where you can still see the remains of the Roman Walls and other interesting landmarks.
- A lovely waterside section along the River Witham into Lincoln
- The city of Lincoln with its magnificent cathedral (video below)
- A section along the Grantham canal near Woolsthorpe
- The final section along the beautiful Rutland Water in Rutland
The walk is waymarked with a disc featuring a viking helmet. |
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| Leicestershire Walking Links |
| Name | Description |
| Leicestershire CC | Walking and cycling tips from the local council |
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Photos provided by Panoramio. Photos are under the copyright of their owners.