Walks in Leicestershire by train

Rural countryside.

Time: 5h30–11h30

2 lunch spots: Little Spice Box (3h–6h30 in), or the White Lion Inn (3h30–6h30 in)

2 end-of-walk rewards: the Railway Inn, or the Grainstore Brewery

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Canal, footpaths and roadside footpath.

Time: 4h30–8h30

3 lunch spots: the Anchor Inn (1h30–3h30 in), the Blacksmith's Arms (2h30–5h30 in), or the Moorings (3h–5h30 in)

1 end-of-walk reward: the Boat Inn

Warnings: Last section on busy road.

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Time: 4h30–9h30

2 lunch spots: the Swan Inn (2h–4h30 in), or Waterloo Lodge (2h–4h30 in)

4 end-of-walk rewards: the Beer House, the Freemasons Arms, the Cherry Tree, or the Oat Hill

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Flat and footpaths.

Time: 5h30–11h

3 lunch spots: Rearsby (2h–3h30 in) — the Horse and Groom, or the Wheel; plus the Bell Inn (3h30–6h30 in)

2 end-of-walk rewards: Wild Bean Cafe, or the Boat Inn

Warnings: Winter flooding possible.

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Flat and on decent paths.

Waterway: four fifths along the River Soar.

Time: 5h30–11h

3 lunch spots: Birstall (3h30–7h in) — the Earl of Stamford, the Old Plough, or the White Horse

2 end-of-walk rewards: the Corn Exchange, or the Rainbow and Dove

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Canal towpath and cycle greenway. Route ends at Leicester Cathedral where Richard III's remains were interred in 2013.

Waterway: three fifths along the Grand Union Canal (Leicester Line).

Time: 2h30–5h30

Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).

A mostly off-road, fairly direct walk through farm fields, local meadows, canal towpath and the tree-lined Great Central Way old railway line, staying green for much of the way into the city. Good underfoot and with one short uphill section and some steps; shared with cyclists. Uses the Great Central Way. Train links at both ends make a walk-there, train-back option easy.

Time: 3h–5h30

1 lunch spot: King's Lock Tearoom

Warnings: The path between Whetstone and Littlethorpe can flood after prolonged rain or melting snow, with an electric fence constraining the path. Bike barriers limit access at a few points. Castle Gardens are locked at dusk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A walk on field paths with stiles and muddy sections that can be very slippery in places and sticky in others, plus a few slightly awkward and steeper short sections. Includes a road with no pavement but with verges wide enough to walk on fairly comfortably.

Time: 5h30–11h

Lunch: A pub and a shop in Frisby-on-the-Wreake, and two pubs a short distance from the route in Rearsby.

Warnings: The A46 can only be crossed safely at very limited points; this route uses a road with no pavement but adequate verges instead. Stiles and slippery mud.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A good, fairly direct and largely flat route with no steps or stiles, much of it well surfaced. The standout is a long, easy stretch of grassy or gravel canal towpath beside the Grantham Canal and with the towpath grassy and unsurfaced near the locks but more interesting than the parallel cycle track. Follows the Grantham Canal towpath, with restored locks and mileposts counting down from 33 miles. A train or bus links the two ends for a linear walk.

Waterway: two thirds along the Grantham Canal.

Time: 4h–8h

2 lunch spots: the Rutland Arms, or Old Forge Tea Rooms

Walk details: Slow Ways.