Narlei three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Walked from Leicester to Narborough on a fine day but after a lot of rain. This eventually thwarted me, as the path between Whetstone and Littlethorpe was flooded by the river Soar, and I decided to retreat and use the road instead. It is a good route, mostly on good paths, and a very enjoyable walk.

I have created NARLEI 4 as an alternative route that is easier when the river is in spate and is the same length, and since this one already has several good reviews and lots of pictures, I will post the detailed review and pictures there and just use this review to illustrate the problem, which is probably only an issue after prolonged rain or melting snow.

The photos here show the flooding in two places. The first one just east of the M69 bridge was just passable with care, but the sight of the electric fence that constrains the path disappearing into deeper flood water ahead was more than enough to persuade me to retreat.

Route was walked Narborough to Leicester as part of the Leicester swarm. Good underfoot (in November) varied with some lovely canal walking and one uphill section for 100m or so. Cafe at lock along the way a nice place to stop! Accessibility is limited by bike barriers (still can get a bike through or a pushchair if there are two people to lift) at a few points. Transition to the city centre is dramatic and overwhelming, but would make a lovely way to escape the centre of town on the way out of Leicester. Train links good to make this a lovely addition to a slow way chain or a a walk there, train back option. Walked as part of a group with an excellent guide, lots of hidden history to find out more about afterwards!.

This route from Narborough to Leicester is a simple and straightforward route to follow.

We walked along a road and onto a footpath beside a field for the first part of the route, before using the Great Central Way and through Whetstone. We crossed the Stour at several points and over a small hill before joining the canal and walking the best bit of the route. This part was made even better by a short stop at the King's Lock tearoom.
We continued on our way and rejoined the Great Central Way a couple of bridges along the canal. This is where the only steps that couldn't be avoided as we had to climb them to get onto the trail.

The rest of the journey was a straight line into Leicester, walking along the maple-lined Great Central Way. Be aware that you share this trail with cyclists.

This was a very pleasant route, and easy to follow. I walked from Narborough as part of the Leicester Swarm.
The footpath from the road at Narborough and under the motorway is enclosed by an electric fence, which keeps the cows away. There are pleasant footpaths through fields and between trees, and also pavements alongside roads. There is some cycle track before reaching the canal towpath at Gee’s Lock. The 2k canal section includes the King’s Lock Tea Rooms.
From the canal, the former railway line cycle track is accessed via a flight of steps. It would have been possible to get straight onto the cycle track before Gee’s Lock, but the canal adds variety and wildlife.
I arrived at the cycle track at dusk, but it was well lit, and I didn’t feel worried by it. The final route into Leicester went past lots of university buildings. Note that the Castle Gardens are locked at dusk. I had to take a tiny diversion alongside the River Soar and onto the road bridge, where the red arrow is on my map picture.

A very nice, very offroad walk between Narborough and Leicester using a combinations of footpath, towpath, riverside and old railway. Certaintly safe and easy to follow. Pretty direct. Joining the greenway earlier would make it more so but would miss out the riverside cafe. Well marked throughout.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.