Walks from Melton Mowbray

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).

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).

The views from just below the Belvoir escarpment are wide ranging. An almost very good route: direct, scenic and mostly off-road across the Vale of Belvoir, crossing several old railway lines and a section of the Grantham canal towpath. Field paths range from well-cut to overgrown or chest-high crops needing determination; there are several stiles and some wet/muddy sections and with wide-ranging views from below the Belvoir escarpment. Plenty of transport heritage: several old railway crossings, a section of one old line, and the Grantham canal. A bus service links Bottesford and Melton via Harby, Plungar, Barkestone and Redmile. Several villages en route are poorly supplied with facilities; Bottesford has a Co-op and a tea room.

Time: 7h–14h

Lunch: There is a pub in Plungar on the route; pubs and shops in Redmile, Harby and Scalford lie off the route.

Warnings: The busy inner ring road into Melton must be crossed without a pelican crossing. Some cross-field paths are not cut, overgrown or have awkward stiles. A diversion runs around a building site near Melton.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A long, level walk that is fairly dry underfoot, mostly on good tracks and quiet roads with a section of the Grantham Canal, plus a few less-trodden field paths through villages. Plenty of stiles, a few steps and one steeper climb up the hill out of Harston. Follows the Grantham Canal out of Grantham. Can be split, and there are village shops/pubs at intermediate villages such as Harlaxton and Waltham-on-the-Wolds.

Time: 8h–15h30

Lunch: Shops and pubs in intermediate villages including Harlaxton, Denton and Waltham-on-the-Wolds.

Warnings: Plenty of stiles and a few steps; a couple of short sections without pavement on quiet roads, and a steeper climb over stiles up the hill from Harston towards Croxton Kerrial; some field paths a little muddy in places.

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.

The views across the vale of Belvoir are good. A long, hard but mostly off-road walk across the Vale of Belvoir, scenic with good views from the hill south of Long Clawson, but with little-used, poorly signed field paths that are hard to follow, several diversions around field boundaries and building sites and awkward stiles and some muddy and wet sections. Crosses a section of the Grantham canal. Facilities are sparse: pubs and a shop at Barnstone, Long Clawson and (off route) Hose; Holwell has none.

Time: 7h–14h

Lunch: There is a shop and a pub a short distance off route in Hose, and a pub and small shop in Long Clawson.

Warnings: The A52 crossing near Bingham has steps both sides and no central refuge. Several field paths are poorly signed and hard to follow; a significant diversion runs around a building site north of Melton, with awkward stiles in places.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Some pleasant parts and fine views. A long, challenging walk on well-maintained but largely unsurfaced field paths with many stiles, climbing away from the River Wreake valley with fine views. Includes some road walking and parts with poor or no verge. Crosses the Roman Fosse Way at Six Hills; uses the Leicestershire Round in places. Can be broken at intermediate points.

Time: 7h–14h30

Lunch: Pubs in most villages but no shops.

Warnings: Several stretches of road have narrow or no verge with fast, constant traffic, including the final approach to Loughborough where a brick wall leaves no room. Numerous stiles, grazing cattle, and unassisted level crossings.

Walk details: Slow Ways.