Best walks in Leicestershire by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in Leicestershire and plan your next day of green.
Barrow-upon-Soar Station to Leicester Station
Tough: 21km. Flat terrain. 5h30–9h30.
On decent paths.
Lunch stops in Birstall (3h30–6h in): the Earl of Stamford, the Old Plough, or the White Horse.
End-of-walk rewards: the Corn Exchange, or the Rainbow and Dove.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Syston Station to Melton Mowbray Station
7m direct from Leicester.
Tough: 21km. Flat terrain. 5h30–9h30.
Footpaths. Winter flooding possible.
Lunch stops in Rearsby (2h–3h in): the Horse and Groom, or the Wheel. Other lunch stop: the Bell Inn (3h30–5h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: Wild Bean Cafe, or the Boat Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Loughborough Station Circular via Walton on the Wolds
9m direct from Leicester.
16km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Canal, footpaths, and roadside footpath. Last section on busy road.
Lunch stops: the Anchor Inn (1h30–3h in), the Blacksmith's Arms (2h30–4h30 in), or the Moorings (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Boat Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Market Harborough Station Circular via Braybrooke
15m direct from Leicester.
17km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
Lunch stops: the Swan Inn (2h–3h30 in), or Waterloo Lodge (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Beer House, the Freemasons Arms, the Cherry Tree, or the Oat Hill.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Melton Mowbray Station to Oakham Station
15m direct from Leicester.
Tough: 21km. Moderate ascents. 5h30–9h30.
Rural countryside.
Lunch stops: Little Spice Box (3h–5h30 in), or the White Lion Inn (3h30–5h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Railway Inn, or the Grainstore Brewery.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
South Wigston Station to Leicester Station
6m direct from Leicester.
10km.
Canal towpath and cycle greenway. Route ends at Leicester Cathedral where Richard III's remains were interred in 2013.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Market Harborough Station to Northampton Station
2h from Leicester, with one change.
29km.
Rolling hills of the south east Midlands. Brampton Valley Way: former railway opened 1859, closed 1981, converted to multipurpose path in 1993; one of the longest ex-trackbed paths in the UK; runs through former ironstone quarrying area. Two unlit tunnels (Oxendon Tunnel and Kelmarsh Tunnel).
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Bottesford Station Circular via St Mary the Virgin's Church
1h from Leicester, with one change.
2km. 1h.
St Mary the Virgin's octagonal crocketed spire is the tallest in Leicestershire at 210 feet, and home to a family of peregrines. Village streets and footpaths along the River Devon. Built around the River Devon and named after the ford at the centre of the village. Earl of Rutland's Hospital is a Grade II listed 1591 almshouse; Flemings Bridge is Grade II listed and dates to 1590.