Walks you can reach from Syston by train

Canal, river, wooded track and roadside footpath.

Time: 4h30–9h30

2 lunch spots: Wilford Farm (1h30–3h in), or Dovecote Barn Café (3h–6h in)

Warnings: Short stretch on busy A453.

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

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: 5h–10h

3 lunch spots: Gotham (3h–6h in) — the Sun Inn, the Cuckoo Bush Inn, or the Star Inn

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Good paths, nature reserve, canal and river.

Waterway: nine tenths beside rivers and canals.

Time: 4h–8h

4 lunch spots: Beeston Lock (1h–2h in) — the Riverside Bar, Boathouse Cafe, or Canal Heritage Centre; plus Restaurant Sat Bains (2h–4h in)

Warnings: Check for flooding.

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

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.

Flat, mostly on decent paths and along the River Soar and Grand Union Canal.

Waterway: nine tenths along the River Soar.

Time: 6h–12h

Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!

3 end-of-walk rewards: the Boat Inn, the Navigation Inn, or the Hunting Lodge

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 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 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 cross-country walk that starts along the Loughborough canal, then crosses fields and briefly woodland in the Soar valley, with narrow paths and bridges to negotiate. It can be quite muddy towards the end and is prone to flooding in wet weather and with a number of steps and stiles. Barrow upon Soar makes a good stop roughly halfway.

Time: 2h30–5h30

Lunch: Quite a few nice pubs along the way, with Barrow upon Soar a good half-way stop for a drink.

Warnings: The Soar valley floods quite frequently and the route can become impassable after heavy rain, with stiles surrounded by water and lanes underwater; a couple of big roads to cross, and a herd of cows and a farm with a 'dogs loose' sign en route. Can be muddy.

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.