Best walks near Leicester by train
Leicestershire · East Midlands of England | Walks by foot
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in East Midlands of England and plan your next day of green.
Syston Station to Melton Mowbray Station (Leicestershire)
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 (Leicestershire)
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 (Leicestershire)
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
East Midlands Parkway Station Circular via Gotham (Nottinghamshire)
15m direct from Leicester.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–8h30.
Lunch stops in Gotham (3h–5h in): the Sun Inn, the Cuckoo Bush Inn, or the Star Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Melton Mowbray Station to Oakham Station (Leicestershire)
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
East Midlands Parkway Station to Barrow-upon-Soar Station (Nottinghamshire)
15m direct from Leicester.
Tough: 23km. Flat terrain. 6h–10h.
Mostly on decent paths and along the River Soar and Grand Union Canal.
Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!
End-of-walk rewards: the Boat Inn, the Navigation Inn, or the Hunting Lodge.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Nottingham Station to East Midlands Parkway Station (Nottinghamshire)
15m direct from Leicester.
18km. Gentle ascents. 4h30–8h.
Canal, river, wooded track, and roadside footpath. Short stretch on busy A453.
Lunch stops: Wilford Farm (1h30–2h30 in), or Dovecote Barn Café (3h–5h30 in).
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Nuneaton Station Circular via Hartshill (Warwickshire)
15m direct from Leicester.
18km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
Parks, river, country park, and canal.
Lunch stop: the Stag and Pheasant (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Lord Hop, the Felix Holt, the George Eliot Hotel, the Black Swan In Hand, or the Silk Mill.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Derby Station Circular via Darley Abbey (Derbyshire)
15m direct from Leicester.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–9h.
Parks, river, and heritage trail.
Highlights: Museum of Making and Darley Park.
Lunch stops in Darley Park (1h–2h in): Darley Park Terrace Cafe, the Little Darley in the Park, the Abbey Inn, or the Darleys. Other lunch stops: the Joiners Arms (3h–5h in), or the Orangery Café (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Victoria Inn, or the Waterfall.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Derby Station to Long Eaton Station (Derbyshire)
15m direct from Leicester.
Tough: 21km. Flat terrain. 5h30–9h.
Waterways — River Derwent, Derby & Sandiacre Canal, and Erewash Canal.
Lunch stops: Canal Cottage Cafe (2h30–4h30 in), or the Navigation (3h–5h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: Peking House, or the Sawley Junction.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Duffield Station to Derby Station (Derbyshire)
15m direct from Leicester.
Tough: steep ascents. 17km. 4h30–8h.
Repurposed railway track along the Great Northern Greenway.
Lunch stops: the Bell and Harp (1h–1h30 in), or the Three Horseshoes (2h–4h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Waterfall, or the Merry Widows.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Long Eaton Station to Ilkeston Station (Derbyshire)
30m direct from Leicester.
16km. Flat terrain. 4h–7h.
Canal, industrial towns, and disused railway viaduct.
Lunch stops in Hallam Fields, Ilkeston (2h30–4h in): Gallows Grub, or the Gallows Inn. Other lunch stop: La Rock (1h30–2h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Dew Drop Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route