Walks you can reach from Barnetby 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.

Time: 4h30–9h

Warnings: Kirton Lindsey 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.

A mix of public footpath, country lanes and some pavement alongside busier roads through Lincolnshire farmland. Some footpaths are not well trodden and cross ploughed fields and but the route is generally well signposted.

Time: 8h–16h

Lunch: Numerous refreshment options in Nettleham.

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.

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.

The view from the viaduct makes the tour worthwhile. A varied riverside walk crossing the River Don by the Conisbrough Viaduct, then following the Trans Pennine Trail and Don riverside into Doncaster. Mostly good bonded-surface cycle track and easy riverside path, with some compacted-earth and open flood-bank sections that can flood and plus steps and stiles. From Conisbrough Viaduct it's possible to stay on the Trans Pennine Trail much further west.

Waterway: two thirds along the River Don.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 3h30–6h30

1 lunch spot: the Boat Inn

Warnings: Stiles and steps along the way, and the compacted-earth riverside section shows signs of flooding at times. Care needed taking the right-hand uphill fork approaching the viaduct.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

An easy, direct route mostly on well-signposted cycletracks and entirely on hard surfaces, with no stiles. It starts past a stone church, follows a segregated pavement and cycle track along a busy road, then an old-railway cycle track in a green corridor into Doncaster, with a fiddly but well-mapped finish through the town's roundabout and footbridges and bus station. Some steps above the bus station (avoidable). Largely follows the Doncaster Cycleway / Sustrans routes along old railway lines. The Draughtsman Alehouse micropub is on Doncaster station platform 3 (no train ticket needed).

Time: 2h–4h

Lunch: A large pub/food outlet at the junction with the Great North Road.

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a quarter of the walk. Some steps above Doncaster bus station (avoidable by a detour). Lockable gates at a shopping area (in practice left open). Endless traffic alongside the segregated pavement.

Walk details: Slow Ways.