Walks you can reach from East Midlands Parkway by train
Nottinghamshire · East Midlands of England | Walks by foot
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Long Eaton Station to Ilkeston Station (Derbyshire)
4m direct from East Midlands Parkway.
16km. Flat terrain. 4h–7h.
Canal, industrial towns, and disused railway viaduct.
Lunch stops in Hallam Fields, Ilkeston (2h30–4h in): Gallows Grub, or the Gallows Inn. Other lunch stop: La Rock (1h30–2h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Dew Drop Inn.
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Derby Station to Long Eaton Station (Derbyshire)
4m direct from East Midlands Parkway.
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
Long Eaton Station Circular via Trent Lock (Derbyshire)
4m direct from East Midlands Parkway.
8km.
Public roads, footpaths and canal towpaths; railway embankments, and woodland tracks and grass areas. Extensively documented railway history of the Long Eaton triangle spanning 1840–1968: wagon works, sheet stores and canal-transhipment facilities, with modern flood defences and Ratcliffe Power Station visible. One stretch alongside the River Trent is liable to flooding in very wet weather; beware of traffic turning off the roundabout at Tamworth Road; beware of fast-moving traffic on Fields Farm Road (40 mph). Canal towpath often under water when the river is in flood.
Documented by Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership.
Attenborough Station to Long Eaton Station (Nottinghamshire)
4m direct from East Midlands Parkway.
4km.
Riverside path along the Trent. In spring and summer, breeding skylarks, meadow pipits and grasshopper warblers; spring and autumn migrants include whinchat and wheatear; in winter snipe, stonechat and even short-eared owls.
Documented by Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership.
Beeston Station to Ilkeston Station (Nottinghamshire)
5m direct from East Midlands Parkway.
15km.
Urban and suburban streets, golf-course path, woodland, abandoned canal towpath (partly waterlogged), and active canal towpath. Bennerley Viaduct gives expansive valley views — Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station is visible 10+ miles distant. Approximate walking time 4–5 hours. Heavy traffic at the dual-carriageway crossing near Nottingham; canal paths shared with cyclists.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Nottingham Station to Beeston Station (Nottinghamshire)
5m direct from East Midlands Parkway.
6km.
Canal towpath and riverside walking/cycling path. Extension options: continue to Attenborough Nature Reserve (2 miles further) or to Trent Lock near Long Eaton station (4 additional miles); from Trent Lock it is 1½ miles via the Erewash Canal to Long Eaton station.
Documented by Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership.
Loughborough Station Circular via Walton on the Wolds (Leicestershire)
6m direct from East Midlands Parkway.
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
Attenborough Station Circular via Nature Reserve (Nottinghamshire)
7m direct from East Midlands Parkway.
15km. Flat terrain. 4h–6h30.
Good paths, nature reserve, canal, and river. Check for flooding.
Lunch stops in Beeston Lock (1h–2h in): the Riverside Bar, Boathouse Cafe, or Canal Heritage Centre. Other lunch stop: Restaurant Sat Bains (2h–3h30 in).
Adapted from a route by the Leicester Ramblers — download GPX route
Nottingham Station Circular via Nottingham Castle (Nottinghamshire)
15m direct from East Midlands Parkway.
2km.
Urban waterways walk along canal and river. Trent Bridge originally constructed around 920 and rebuilt in 1868-1871.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Derby Station to Nottingham Station (Derbyshire)
15m direct from East Midlands Parkway.
27km.
Mixture of off-road cycle path and on-road sections. Part of the longer London-to-Lake-District route.
Documented by Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership.
Derby Station Circular via Darley Abbey (Derbyshire)
15m direct from East Midlands Parkway.
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
Barrow-upon-Soar Station to Leicester Station (Leicestershire)
15m direct from East Midlands Parkway.
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