Walks in Lincolnshire by train

Recommended: A pleasant walk including woodlands and a stretch along the river and part of it on the Ironstone Way. The first part leaving Scunthorpe can be a little tricky to follow. Part of the route follows the Ironstone Way.

Time: 4h–8h

Lunch: Refreshments at Broughton.

Warnings: Crossing the busy A18 can be hazardous; you could instead cross Brigg Road near Ashbyville. Brigg is served only by the Saturdays-only Brigg line — a few trains on Saturdays, none midweek.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A straightforward route through lovely Lincolnshire countryside and villages, following the Spires and Steeples Trail almost all the way. It is mostly tarmacked cycleway or track, with some field footpaths, quiet road walking and one early set of steps. Sections can be very muddy or flooded after heavy rain. Follows the waymarked Spires and Steeples Trail almost the whole way (signage through villages can be confusing or missing). Starts on the flat, tarmacked Water Rail Way to Washingborough. Branston has a useful Co-op and a main bus route.

Time: 5h–10h

Warnings: The level crossing between Branston and Potterhanworth marked on the GPX is no longer usable and is blocked off; use the road nearby to cross under the tracks instead. Sections between Washingborough and Branston can flood badly after heavy rain, sometimes requiring a sizeable diversion. An early footbridge with steps. Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

The Foss Dyke section is excellent. A largely flat, very accessible route following the Foss Dyke canal on firm tarmac or gravel paths for most of the way and with a short grassy section near the Pyewipe Inn. The final couple of miles leave the canal to follow a decent but noisy pavement alongside the busy A57. Follows the Foss Dyke; Lincoln Cathedral is visible from a long way off.

Waterway: nine tenths along the Fossdyke Navigation.

Time: 3h–5h30

Lunch: Excellent chippy on the approach to Saxilby station; cafe by the A57 junction.

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk. The A57 crossing on the alternative direct line has no central refuge; this route uses a safer signposted cycle crossing with a central refuge but no lights. The A57 pavement is noisy and narrow in places.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A long, mostly good route on field paths, riverside banks, quiet lanes and surfaced tracks, with stretches following the Spires and Steeples trail. Steps, stiles and muddy sections and in wet conditions ploughed fields can be very muddy. Some field crossings have no cut path on the ground. Predominantly follows the Spires and Steeples waymarked trail, though it diverges at several points. Ruskington, with shops and a railway station, makes a good place to break the journey.

Time: 5h30–11h

Warnings: Steps, stiles (around seven) and a small flight of steps down to the path below the A17. Ploughed fields and field paths can be very muddy in wet weather. Some field crossings have no marked path; the riverbank section is narrow at times. Note the route diverges from the Spires and Steeples trail in places.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Largely flat, sticking to the south side of the South Forty Foot Drain on a good but unsurfaced footpath that can get muddy when wet and plus field and town sections. A two-mile section on the verge of the A17 west of Swineshead. Follows the South Forty Foot Drain; a surfaced cycle path runs as far as Hubberts Bridge.

Time: 6h–12h

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk. A two-mile section along the A17 west of Swineshead, parts of which have no pavement (a verge and short stretches of old road can be used); one gate on the Drain path was padlocked, requiring a climb.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Excellent walk. Field paths.

Time: 2h30–5h

Warnings: Short stretch on a fast-traffic road with limited verge.

Walk details: Railwalks.

A long but enjoyable route, the highlight being the sea-wall paths along the salt marshes, which are good and comfortable underfoot and very quiet. Field paths are clearly marked with good footbridges but can be muddy when wet and with one freshly ploughed crossing; some unavoidable road walking with plenty of verge. Follows good sea-wall paths along the salt marshes; passes Batemans Brewery near Wainfleet; uses a safe pelican crossing over the A16.

Time: 8h–16h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A route involving a lot of road walking, but apart from the A52 the roads are quiet and feel safe. Two unsurfaced footpath sections give relief and are easy to follow. Largely flat. Lincolnshire has poor footpath provision and so a less road-based line would be much longer.

Time: 2h30–5h

Lunch: A garage with a shop at the start of Low Road, roughly midway.

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a quarter of the walk. Some road walking is on a stretch of Low Road and Croft Lane where the pavement stops, though the roads are quiet. The footpath line can be lost in a caravan park.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 7h–13h30

Warnings: Kirton Lindsey is served only by the Saturdays-only Brigg line — a few trains on Saturdays, none midweek.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 2h–4h30

Warnings: Brigg is served only by the Saturdays-only Brigg line — a few trains on Saturdays, none midweek.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A great route, taking in views of the river ancholme. A route along the River Ancholme on a wide gravel track, which becomes tarmac road as it climbs onto a ridge at the start of the Lincolnshire Wolds and then follows the Viking Way through fields and a quiet road without paths into Barton. A short section of busy road. Joins part of the Viking Way national trail through fields.

Time: 5h30–10h30

Warnings: A short section is on a main road. Horkstow Road into Barton is a quiet road with no paths. Brigg is served only by the Saturdays-only Brigg line — a few trains on Saturdays, none midweek.

Walk details: Slow Ways.