Best walks near Market Harborough 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.
Aspley Guise Station Circular via the Woburn Estate (Bedfordshire)
1h from Market Harborough, with one change.
13km. Moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
Beginner-friendly: A shortish but satisfying walk. It’s hard to go wrong and, if you do, it’s easy to recover. Lunch is in the pleasant village of Woburn, where there are many choices, so no faffing with making reservations needed. Plus it goes through a safari park and you’ll likely spot some of the beasts.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Woburn Safari Park.
Lunch stops in Woburn (1h–2h in): the Black Horse, Lussmanns, or the Woburn Hotel.
End-of-walk reward: the Anchor.
Kettering Station Circular via Pytchley (Northamptonshire)
9m direct from Market Harborough.
19km. Moderate ascents. 5h–8h30.
Villages and countryside.
Lunch stops in Broughton (3h30–6h in): Best Plaice, the Red Lion, Broughton Fish and Chips, or the Broughton & Cransley WMC. Other lunch stop: the Overstone Arms (1h30–2h in).
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Barrow-upon-Soar Station to Leicester Station (Leicestershire)
15m direct from Market Harborough.
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
Loughborough Station Circular via Walton on the Wolds (Leicestershire)
30m direct from Market Harborough.
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
East Midlands Parkway Station Circular via Gotham (Nottinghamshire)
30m direct from Market Harborough.
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
East Midlands Parkway Station to Barrow-upon-Soar Station (Nottinghamshire)
30m direct from Market Harborough.
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)
30m direct from Market Harborough.
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
Syston Station to Melton Mowbray Station (Leicestershire)
30m from Market Harborough, with one change.
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
Melton Mowbray Station to Oakham Station (Leicestershire)
30m from Market Harborough, with one change.
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
Nuneaton Station Circular via Hartshill (Warwickshire)
30m from Market Harborough, with one change.
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)
45m from Market Harborough, with one change.
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)
45m from Market Harborough, with one change.
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