The Routes below give details of Leicester Ramblers Car Free Walks that have used trains to access places to walk. All these routes have been part of Leicester & District Ramblers Walks Programme and have been used for group walks. The year they were last walked is in brackets at the end of each entry. They are presented here so that other walkers can may make use of them if they wish. Information about travel and timetables is not shown because these change and will vary depending on where one travels from.

The map module below has two tabs:

• The Map tab displays the start location for each route on a map. Click on the marker and then on the route title to display the full route on the map. Right click on the marker to display other options such as opening the location in Google Maps.
• The List tab provides a list of the routes. Click on an entry to display this on the map. GPX files for the routes can be downloaded here.

Description of the routes. Below the Map is a list of the routes with a  brief description of each.

If you have any comments or queries please contact me: Charles de Podesta, Car Free Walks Organiser, Leicester & District Ramblers.

See our Current Programme of Car Free walks is HERE.

More walks using trains  can be found at RailWalks:   

Walking Routes

• 101 Nottingham to East Midlands Parkway Station (Nottinghamshire) via the Nottingham Canal, the Beeston Canal and the River Trent. (This is part 1 of a 3 part walk from Nottingham to Leicester following the course of local canals and the River Trent and River Soar.) There are opportunities for refreshments at Trentlock and Sawley Cut. The route takes one through the boatyard at Redhill shortly before arriving at EM Parkway station. About 14 miles. Walking is on the flat and mostly on decent paths. Outward Transport: train from Leicester to Nottingham. Return: train from Parkway Station to Leicester. Several trains every hour. (2022) (Below there is a shorter, different route between Nottingham and Parkway listed below. This follows the south bank of the Trent.)
• 102 East Midlands Parkway Station to Barrow Upon Soar (Nottinghamshire & Leicestershire) via the River Soar and the Grand Union Canal. (This is part 2 of a 3 part walk from Nottingham to Leicester following the course of local waterways.) The walk passes through Redhill Boatyard, close to Kegworth, through Zouch and Loughborough before arriving at Barrow. Pubs at Zouch, Loughborough and Barrow. About 14 miles. (The walk could be shortened by finishing at Loughborough.) Walking is on the flat and mostly on decent paths.  Outward Travel: train from Leicester to EM Parkway. Return travel: train from Barrow upon Soar to Leicester (2022)
• 103 Barrow upon Soar Station to Leicester City Centre (Leicestershire) (This is part 3 of a 3 part walk from Nottingham to Leicester following local waterways.) About 12 miles on the flat and on decent paths. The route passes through Cossington lock, Watermead Country Park, the National Space Centre and Abbey Park. It finishes at The Clock Tower, the traditional centre of Leicester. About 12 miles long. (2022)
• 105 Market Harborough circular (Leicestershire & Northamptonshire) via Braybrooke, Great Oxendon and the Brampton Valley Way. There are nice views along the first part of the walk. One can visit the picturesque church at DIngley (though it is usually shut). The Brampton Valley Way is cycle/walking path along an old railway that leads directly back to Market Harborough. The route goes by the north end of the rail tunnel at Great Oxendon. Travel: Train: Leicester to Market Harborough. (2022)
• 106 Oakham Station Circular Walk (Rutland). A 12 mile walk starting at Oakham Station. The route: Across the Vale of Catmose to Egleton village, public path by Rutland Water Nature Reserve, Manton village, Brooke village, Braunston in Rutland, Barlethorpe. A nice walk with some lovely villages and churches and nice views along the way. (2022)
• 107 Syston Station to Melton Mowbray Station - A Wreake Valley Ramble. (Leicestershire) 13 miles walk going through Rearsby, Brooksby, Rotherby, Frisby on the Wreake and by Kirby Bellars Church. Nearly all the walk is on the flat. Note that footpaths in this area may be affected by flooding in winter. (2022)
• 108 Melton Mowbray to Oakham via Whissendine. (Leicestershire & Rutland) 13 mile walk. A rural walk. The working windmill at Whissendine is an interesting place to visit. Next door to Oakham Station is the Grain Store, a real ale brewery pub where one can wait for a train. (2022)
• 109 East Midlands Parkway Station - 11.5 mile circular walk. (Nottinghamshire) The route will take us through Ratcliffe, West Leake & Gotham. Gotham is about half way on this walk. It has a couple of pubs and seating by the church. It is the original location for the Wise Men of Gotham folk tales and the route takes one past the Cuckoo Tree which features in one of these tales. And there does seem to be real (if rather convoluted) link to home city of the comic book hero. Return travel is a train from Parkway which has regular trains between Leicester, Nottingham and Derby. (2022)
• 204 Nottingham Station to East Midlands Parkway Station. South bank of the River Trent. (Nottinghamshire) An 11 mile walk along the south side of the River Trent. (This is a completely different, shorter, route between Nottingham and Parkway which follows the north bank of the Trent.) From Nottingham Station follow the canal to the River Trent, crossing at Trent Bridge. After West Bridgeford the path follows a wooded track by the river to Clifton Hall. Barton Farbis has a farm shop / cafe which might serve for a break. The last section follows the very busy A453 but there are large footpaths and good provision for walkers so it is very safe if a bit noisy. One passes close to the Ratcliffe Power station which was the last and one of the largest coal fired power stations in the country. It closed in September 2024. (2023)
• 206 Atherstone, (Warwickshire) - Bluebells & Beer. A circular walk. The 12 or 13 mile route shown here is very winding and could easily be shortened. Worth walking at the end of April when the bluebells are in abundance here. One can include a visit to the Church End Brewery at Ridge Lane which has a very large beer garden and very good beer. Leaving the pub it is a couple of (downhill) miles back to Atherstone Station). The walk also passes through Hartshill Country Park with nice woodlands and great views over the Anker Valley. Thanks to Steve Crane for the route. (2023)
• 210 Derby Station to Long Eaton Station (Derbyshire). A walk from Derby to Long Eaton following the courses of several current or defunct waterways. They include the River Derwent, the abandoned Derby & Sandiacre Canal and the Erewash Canal. (2023)
• 212 Atherstone Station - Circular Walk. (Warwickshire & Leicestershire) An 11mile circular walk from Atherstone Station. The route includes the Coventry Canal,  Sheepy Magna,  Ratcliffe Culey & Witherley.
• 311 Fiskerton Station and Southwell (Nottinghamshire). An 8 mile circular walk from Fiskerton Rail Station to the town of Southwell with its beautiful 12^th century Minster. The outward journey is a five mile walk through Fiskerton (on the River Trent) and then to Southwell for lunch. The return journey goes through the lanes of Southwell and back to Fiskerton Station via the River Greet and the Southwell Race Course. (2024)
• 305 Lichfield Trent Valley Station Circular Walk (Staffordshire) 10 mile circular walk from Lichfield Trent Valley Rail Station. The route passed through Whittington Heath Golf Club close to where there is on-going construction on HS2. It passes through am MOD firing range which provides a good stopping point when not in use and then along the edge of Hopwas Hayes Wood. It follows the Heart of England Way back to Lichfield. Thanks to Robert Locock for this route. (2024)
• 315 Derby Station - Derby City (Derbyshire). An 11 mile circular walk around the outskirts of the north of Derby City. The route passes through several parks & sites of interest and returns via the Derwent Valley. The route:  Derby Cathedral - via University area - Bonnie Prince Charlie Walk - Markeaton Park - Big Wood - Allestree Park - River Derwent Heritage Trail - Darley Abbey Remains - Riverside path back to Derby Station. Most of the River Derwent section of this walk is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (2024)  
• 317 Bingham Station (Nottinghamshire) Circular Walk. The 8 mile route includes the largest pile of used horseshoes in the world (!) at Scarrington and a village which has 29 acres of village greens. Car Colston has the Cafe Velo, which caters for cyclists and walkers with lots of outdoor seating. Thanks to Reg Simpson for the route. (2024)
• 402 Attenborough Station; Attenborough Nature Reserve Beeston Canal & River Trent. (Nottinghamshire). An 8 to 9 mile circular walk from Attenborough Station. This is easy walking on good paths around the Nature Reserve and courses of the Beeston Canal and River Trent. In the winter this is a fairly good “low mud” walk (but it’s advisable to check for flooding). There is a cafe at the Nature Reserve. Thanks to Ann Whichcord for the route. (2025)
• 404 Burton Joyce to Fiskerton (Nottinghamshire) - A Walk by the River Trent. This walk is almost entirely along the riverside. Good paths and wide open view almost all the way. There are pubs at Gunthorpe village, a cafe at Gunthorpe Lock and a pub at Fiskerton. The train times along this line are irregular so, depending where one travels from, the route start & ending points could be adjusted to take account of this. (2025)
• 409 Loughborough Rail Station a Circular Walk (Leicestershire). A 10 mile walk. From Loughborough Station the route follows the Grand Union Canal to Barrow upon Soar and then to Walton on the Wolds. Then take footpaths to Cotes Bridge and then the road back to Loughborough Station. The last section of road is busy but does have a pedestrian footpath. Thanks to Eileen Pott for the route. (2025)
• 410 Spondon Station Circular Walk to Dale Abbey (Derbyshire). A circular 10 mile walk heading to the village of Dale Abbey to see the remains of the Augustinian Abbey, the uniquely idiosyncratic, Grade 1 listed All Saints Church and the nearby Hermitage Cave. Along the way we pass through the 18th Century Moravian Settlement at Ockbrook and through the grounds of Locko Park with its ornamental lake on the way back to the Spondon Station. (2025)
• 411 Nuneaton Station (Warwickshire). A 10.5 mile circular walk from Nuneaton RailwayStation (Warwickshire) taking us through Sandon Park, Caldecote, the River Anker, Hartshill Country Park and the Coventry Canal. Thanks to Steve Crane for the route.
• 415 Stamford (Lincolnshire) - A circular walk of about 10.5 miles from Stamford Station. Head out of town along the Torpel Way (an old railway track), through Pilsgate to Ermine Street. This old Roman Road is now a public footpath through the extensive and attractive grounds of Burghley Park. Continue through tiny Wothorpe (with the remains of Wothorpe Towers) and then to Easton on the Hill. Then follow the Hereward Way / Jurassic Way to Town Meadows for an attractive route back to Stamford. Thanks to John Hancock for the route.  (2025)
• 416 Long Eaton Station to Ilkeston Station - The Erewash Valley (Derbyshire) - A 10 mile walk. The route is follows part of the Erewash Valley Trail along the Erewash Canal. This skirts the old industrial towns of Long Eaton, Sandiacre and Ilkeston. It goes as far as the impressive Grade II listed Bennerley Viaduct. This disused railway viaduct has recently been restored and is open to pedestrians & cyclists from its western end. The eastern end (in Nottinghamshire) has yet to be re-opened. Thanks to Anne Whichcord for this route. (2025)
• 417 Lowdham to Burton Joyce (Nottinghamshire) A 9 mile walk from Lowdham taking in Gonalston, Caythorpe, Gunthorpe and the River Trent. It is a very pleasant undemanding walk through nice countryside and along the River Trent. There is a pub just a few minutes walk from Burton Joyce Station if one is early for the train. Thanks to Reg Simpson for the route. (2025)
• 418 Kettering Station (Northamptonshire) - An 11mile circular walk from Kettering Station via Pytchely, Broughton & Great Cransley. Thanks to Reg Simpson for this route. (2025)
• 419 Nottingham Station - Ruddington (Nottinghamshire) to Loughborough (Leicestershire) The No. 10 bus stops directly outside Nottingham Station and provides a frequent service to Ruddington a pleasant village / suburb south of Nottingham. The 12 mile walk to Loughborough Station goes via Rushcliffe Country Park, East Leake, past Stanford Hall and Cotes Bridge. (2025)
• 426 Duffield to Derby (Derbyshire). A walk from Duffield stationto Derby station via Horsley Carr, Morley and the Great Northern Greenway (A re-purposed railway track. (2025)
• 502 Hinckley to Narborough (Leicestershire). A 10 mile linear walk between two railway stations passing through Burbage Woods, Stoney Stanton, Croft and Huncote. A walk that is easily accessible from Leicester with the train journeys only taking a few minutes. It is easy walking through flat countryside but it includes an (optional) visit to Croft Hill with great views of Croft Quarry and of the (very flat) surrounding countryside. (2026)
• 506 Newstead Village (Nottinghamshire). A 10 mile circular walk from Newstead, an old colliery village. The Newstead pit was only a few hundred yards from the station, in what is now Annesly Country Park. It operated from 1874 to 1987. Surprisingly little remains of the the old pit and it's rail sidings though information boards do give one an idea of what it used to look like. The park and its lakes have been very successful in attracting a range of birds and wildlife and it makes a pleasant area to walk oround. The route then passes through the grounds of Newstead Abbey (former home of Lord Byron) and it's ornamental gardens. Then on through Abbey Wood to the village of Linby.  It finishs by following the Linby Trail (an old railway line) through Freckland Woods.  Refreshments are available in the cafe at the Newstead Abbey and in Linby village. Thanks to Reg Simpson for this route.
• 511 Ilkeston - Erewash Valley Trail Part 2(Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire) A circular walk from Ilkeston Walk following the Erewash Valley Trail. An undemanding walk starting at Ilkeston station this follows the course of the disused Nottingham Canal north to Langley Mill. The return to Ilkeston is along the Erewash Canal. Near to the end of the walk one can explore the Bennerly Viaduct (aka the Iron Giant), Britain's longest iron viaduct. Built in 1877 as a rail bridge it now offers a pedestrain & cycle route crossing the Valley at a height of 18 metres. One can gaze down at the former site belonging to the Bennerley Iron Works and then British Coal. Both long since gone. A visitor centre with refreshments opened at eastern end of the viaduct  in July 2026. Thanks to  Anne Whichcord for this route. 
• 512 Belper to Cromford (Deryshire) Train from Leicester to Belper (change at Derby). A linear walk from Belper along the Derwent Valley Heritage Way to Cromford. Belper is an attractive old textiles town with an interesting industrial history. From the station it is worth walking along attractive Long Row to the centre before crossing the river. Much of the route to Ambergate is along quiet roads but it is nice walking. At Ambergate (about 3 miles) the route joins the abandoned Cromford Canal. This is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest and part of the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site and provides a quiet relaxed route to Cromford Wharf. At Cromford one can turn right to the station or left to visit the historic Cromford Mill or to visit Cromford itself. Thanks to Doug Golding for the route.
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