Description
An alternative route between Markfield and Leicester. The Markfield end of the route uses the traffic light crossings on the A50 near Field Head, the route stays the same as MarLei1 until the A46 Western Relief Road where the route follows public rights way, then pavements through a housing estate and the Glenfield Hospital residences before crossing the outer ring road at a light controlled crossing at Hallgate Drive.
The route then follows a public right of way through the Gilroes Cemetery site and past housing on Heathley Park Drive before crossing Groby Road a light controlled crossings. The roue then re-joins MarLei1 through suburban housing and down the old railway line to the river. The route then turns down Soar Lane and Great Central Street, crossing the central ring road by the Highcross Shopping Centre before proceeding carrying to the Clock Tower.
The route avoids most of the the walk along the A50 in Leicester and provides a nicer route into central Leicester maximising low traffic and no traffic routes
An alternative route between Markfield and Leicester. The Markfield end of the route uses the traffic light crossings on the A50 near Field Head, the route stays the same as MarLei1 until the A46 Western Relief Road where the route follows public rights way, then pavements through a housing estate and the Glenfield Hospital residences before crossing the outer ring road at a light controlled crossing at Hallgate Drive.
The route then follows a public right of way through the Gilroes Cemetery site and past housing on Heathley Park Drive before crossing Groby Road a light controlled crossings. The roue then re-joins MarLei1 through suburban housing and down the old railway line to the river. The route then turns down Soar Lane and Great Central Street, crossing the central ring road by the Highcross Shopping Centre before proceeding carrying to the Clock Tower.
The route avoids most of the the walk along the A50 in Leicester and provides a nicer route into central Leicester maximising low traffic and no traffic routes
Status
This route has been reviewed by 1 person.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Marlei two
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 1
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (1)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 0
Surveys
What is this route like?
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| Grade 3X based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Note | ||
| Grade 3: Route includes rough surfaces that may include small boulders, potholes, shallow ruts, loose gravel, short muddy sections. Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users. |
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys. | ||
| Full grading description | |||
Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.
Survey Photos
Facilities
Facilities in the middle third of this route.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
The narrowest part of the path is 60.0cm (1)
The steepest uphill gradient East: no data
The steepest uphill gradient West: no data
The steepest camber: no data
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Clear (1)
Successfully completed
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Recommended by an expert
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Terrain
We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.
10.0% of the route is on roads (1)
35.0% of the route is lit at night (1)
35.0% of the route is paved (1)
50.0% of the route is muddy (1)
10.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)
There is no data on long grass
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1 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Markfield
Grid Ref
SK4890010149
Lat / Lon
52.68685° / -1.27802°
Easting / Northing
448,900E / 310,149N
What3Words
level.racks.shampoos
Leicester
Grid Ref
SK5875604622
Lat / Lon
52.63619° / -1.13321°
Easting / Northing
458,756E / 304,622N
What3Words
newly.assure.cook
| Markfield | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | SK4890010149 |
| Lat / Lon | 52.68685° / -1.27802° |
| Easting / Northing | 448,900E / 310,149N |
| What3Words | level.racks.shampoos |
| Leicester | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | SK5875604622 |
| Lat / Lon | 52.63619° / -1.13321° |
| Easting / Northing | 458,756E / 304,622N |
| What3Words | newly.assure.cook |
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review
Sam PV
02 May 2026I walked this on a bright dry morning in early May but felt more Summer than Spring. I walked from Leicester to Markfield but in hindsight, the other way would be better on the grounds that the views along the route would be nicer and Leicester has more to offer as a destination.
Really this should be MarLei1b - as its mostly the same route, but the variation on the outskirts of Leicester is a significant difference. Its worth reading the reviews for MarLei1 for the countryside section, I can't add much to that. The walk through Leicester is nice and remarkably traffic free with a large section of the route along the former railway line. The whole route can be done with only minimal roadside walking which is a big bonus.
The worst section is the right of way from Lady Hay Road the Western Relief Road which has the narrowest paths and most uneven ground and includes a section having to walk across grass. The actual right of way appears to have flooded some time ago (from a well?) but the .gpx shows up the walkable route ok. I can imagine this section would be hard to traverse in a muddy winter - it is atmospheric though as there are signs this was once an important path to a natural well. This section is adjacent to the only bad road section at Gynsill Lane, which is busy and fast without a crossing. Crossing space wasn't hard to find on a Saturday morning - I don't know what its like at other times of day. The worst part, but it wouldn't put me off doing it again. Hopefully the Council will address this situation soon.
The County sections are well used and Newtown Linford is a very pretty village - its a shame it wasn't mid-way through as it was just a bit close to Markfield. I can see me doing this route again and terminating at a pub there.
I gave the route 4 stars because of a lack of facilities mid route - Newtown Lindford has all the amenities you'd want, but its too close to the start/ end. There is a notable lack of benches and stopping points, for most of the route - there are some in the Leicester estates but most were in children's play areas only. There were no shops or facilities either although I suspect you could find some within the Glenfield Hospital Site.
On countryside views its 5 stars, also a lovely mix of fields, paths, mature trees, wildflowers, woodlands, town, parks and city - a very enjoyable walk.
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