7 Of The Best Walks in Leicestershire
There are plenty of lovely places to get out for walks in Leicestershire if you know where to look. From trails leading through historic sites and villages to paths alongside canals and reservoirs, this central England county is a great place to take a stroll or find a longer hike.
Our pick of the seven best walks in Leicestershire includes everything from short easy-access paths to a well-maintained 100-mile circular route that will really help you explore the county’s scenery.
These walks all make great days out for Leicestershire locals, but if you're visiting you can add a bit more outdoor time to your break by booking a stay at a campsite or glampsite. Pitchup has all sorts of sites to choose from, whether you'd like a simple farm pitch or a smart glamping pod.
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Old John and Beacon Hill
Two of Leicestershire’s most popular hills
This eight-mile circular walk starts in Bradgate Park and takes in two of Leicestershire’s most popular hills. There’s a steep climb up to the 18th-century folly at the top of Old John, and more stunning views from the peak of Beacon Hill – on a clear day you’ll see the Peak District in the distance.
Along the way you'll also see the ruins of Ulverscroft Priory, dating back to the 13th century, and the pretty village of Newtown Linford, which has two pubs for a refreshing break.
If you don’t fancy such a long stroll, Bradgate Park has lots of shorter walking trails between the hills, as well as the ruins of a Tudor house to check out. Read more about it, and Leicestershire’s other open spaces, in our guide to the best parks in Leicestershire.
Bosworth Battlefield Country Park
An insight into the War of the Roses
Leicestershire has several great historic sites, but one of the best-known is surely Bosworth Battlefield. To take a walk here, simply park in the car park at the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and choose one of the walking routes.
A short trail leads around the main sights, with audio and visual information about the battle as you walk around. For those with more time and energy, a longer six-mile loop starts from the same place and takes you across the Ashby Canal and through wildflower meadows before ending up in the place where it’s thought King Richard III was killed.
Whichever route you choose, you can reward your efforts with a treat at the Tithe Barn Café, housed in an atmospheric medieval barn by the heritage centre.
Foxton Locks
A canal walk with an impressive 10 locks
If you like impressive and unusual sights, you’ll love a walk that takes in Foxton Locks. The impressive staircase of 10 locks here is the longest of its kind in Britain, and it's the centrepiece of a 4.5-mile loop that takes in the Grand Union Canal towpath, woodland and the village of Foxton.
Start at the locks and try to see them in action before heading out into the trees and then looping back along the towpath. Afterwards, stop to see the 13th-century St Andrew's Church back in Foxton and have a pint at the pub by the canal. If you want a shorter walk, you can cut out the village and cross the canal to get back to the start.
Burrough Hill Country Park
Lovely views and an Iron Age hill fort
A short walk up the steep slopes at Burrough Hill Country Park is a great way to get your blood pumping – and you’ll get to see one of the best-preserved hill forts in Leicestershire, too. Once you’ve taken in the scenic views from the top, the surrounding country park is a pretty place to wander too.
It’s also possible to do a longer six-mile walk that goes through the villages of Burrough on the Hill and Somerby, across rolling hills and on field paths. But be warned – it gets muddy and you’re likely to meet sheep grazing, so while dogs are welcome, it’s best to keep them on a lead.
Burrough Hill is a few miles south of Melton Mowbray, so if you work up an appetite on your walk, head there for its culinary speciality: the classic pork pie.
Thornton Reservoir
Easy family trails with an accessible option
If you’re looking for somewhere to walk in Leicestershire with children or those with reduced mobility, head to Thornton Reservoir. This small reservoir has a well-surfaced 2.5-mile track all the way around the edge, so it’s an easy place to stroll, and accessible for wheelchairs, pushchairs and walkers with access needs.
Want to go a bit further? There are several paths through the woods to the north of the reservoir. Wherever you wander, there's plenty of birdlife and other wildlife to see here, so keep your eyes open as you amble around. A kiosk at the fishing lodge is open from February to October to provide snacks and drinks to keep you going.
Great Glen and Burton Overy
Village walk accessed by public transport
This six-mile circular walk makes a great choice if you're looking for a Leicestershire walk using public transport. You’ll start and end in the village of Great Glen, which is on the X3 bus route serving Leicester and Market Harborough.
The easygoing walk takes you through fields and along lanes and farm tracks to get to the small village of Burton Overy, mentioned in the Domesday Book. Back in Great Glen you'll have a choice of two pubs where you can quench your thirst (ideally with a pint of something local) at the end of your walk.
The Leicestershire Round
Extensive exploring across 100 miles
Looking for a good hiking challenge? The longest walk on this list by far is the Leicestershire Round, a 100-mile circular walk through the county. Installed to mark the centenary of the Leicestershire Footpath Association, it’s waymarked and takes in many of the county’s top locations, including Foxton Locks and Burrough Hill as well as rivers and ridges.
Handily, the route splits nicely into 10 sections so it can be covered in 10 days. Locals might like to turn this into a long-term project over several weekends, but it’s also possible to do it in one go, staying over in villages along the way. The official guidebook gives detailed routes as well as advice on where to stay, eat and drink near the path.
If you're visiting Leicestershire and looking for somewhere to stay, take a look at Pitchup's great collection of campsites and glampsites. Keep costs down with simple farm pitches from £12 a night or treat yourselves to some luxury at a smart glamping site – they're all lovely ways to enjoy more outdoor time.
Browse all Leicestershire campsites