Marbri two

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Walked from Market Harborough to Brixworth. An excellent direct route, but note that the two tunnels on the Brampton Valley Way are very dark and have uneven surfaces and puddles, so it is advisable to take a torch. There are also a few stiles on the path from the Way up to Brixworth, so it is not a wheel friendly route - the road alternative there does not have a pavement. There are plenty of benches and a few picnic tables, but there are no facilities en route, so those seeking refreshment will need to detour into either Maidwell or Arthingworth (both less than a mile off route).

Most of the route is very easy to follow. We leave the centre of Market Harborough alongside Northampton Road. There are pelican crossings at the major junctions. We turn left down Auriga Street to reach Little Bowden Park, where we turn right to start the Brampton Valley Way (the sign saying Northampton 15 miles is optimistic).

We follow the Way, most of which has a solid compacted gravel surface with a little mud and grass on top in places. We pass through two dark tunnels - the Bowden tunnel is longer and has more puddles. There are very dim safety lights but the middle sections are very dark. Both tunnels are dead straight, so you can see the exits from the entrances, but because the surfaces are rough a torch is advisable, not least because if too many people don't carry one they are in danger of bumping into one another. No such problems on a midweek morning though I did pass one cyclist with lights.

We cross under the A14 through a modern concrete bridge, and further on there is a level crossing of the A508 that needs a little care. Just before we reach Station Road take the path that branches left to the road. A short section of verge leads to farm gates and out footpath, which starts past the farm towards the sewage works before heading left into an open field over a stile. A short section between a stream and the sewage works fence leads to an open field, where the path is not well defined, though the exit gate is clearly visible from below. In the next field the waymarks direct walkers around the edge, and we follow the path into a charming wooded passageway before emerging back onto Station Road. This path is fairly easy to follow, but there are a few short wet patches and several stiles (no deep mud even after a lot of recent rain).

Here there is a pavement on the right (west) side, and we follow streets past some interesting old buildings to the meeting point outside Brixworth library.

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