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. Just before we reach Station Road take the path that branches left to the road. 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....

Hugh Hudson

This route reflects my experience of trying to follow the badly plotted MARDES one from Market Harborough to Desborough - the basic route is the same but I have attempted to show the walkable line more clearly and reflect some of the waymarked gates and stiles that are not exactly on the right of way line. An alleyway path takes us right to Green Lane, where we go right on an unsurfaced lane then left using a signposted footpath through a rough pasture. At the far side of the next field I couldn't see a waymark and opted to climb a locked gate left of where the right of way line should be, We then follow a dog legged field round to the left, and cross into an area of light woodland. Once off this path the rest of the route is easy - first a downhill walk on a quiet lane, then a well used path takes us to the A6 Desborough bypass - we have to descend steps, and the road crossing has good sight lines, but no central refuge, so take care and be patient....

Hugh Hudson

The route should be quite a good one, but the path east from the Brampton Valley way crosses an enormous field, which had been fairly recently ploughed and lacks a clear footpath line, and the path south east of Braybrooke which has a number of problems....

Hugh Hudson

There is also a good surfaced path on the north side of the new road over the canal - there is no direct access to the canal from the road bridge. We then follow an obvious signposted path past a golf course and across a couple of fields to reach Debdale Lane, the farm road that takes us to the Grand Union canal. At the junction with Airfield Road, ignore the footpath sharp right, instead cross the road and follow the surfaced paths on the far side parallel to the road, over the stream and out to the canal. We follow this south then turn right - the best line is the park path just beyond Spencer Street, we then follow East Street and Nelson Street, cross Fairfield Road and turn right down School Lane, then left through Talbot Yard to an obvious gateway through the shops....

Hugh Hudson

Once across Gallow Field Road, the route drops down to the towpath on the Harborough arm of the canal....

Louise Phipps

Only two stars because this is a dull trudge of a walk: field boundaries on leaving Lutterworth, then a long stretch of road walking into Husband's Bosworth, canal towpath, more road walking into Lubbenham, and finally a couple of fields before housing estates and the centre of Market Harborough. No navigational issues, but some of the stiles on the first leg are overgrown and shaky; the towpath is mostly in good repair but there are a few places still needing attention....

KB

It was a good walk however we got lost at Stole Albany and ended up in Dingle and took another path in to Little Bowden. This was our fault, there are many paths that cross this area and not all are clearly marked on the ground or on a map. Still a good day out and better than watching hours of coronation stuff on the tv....

Joe Reilly

This is a wonderful route as it connects West Haddon to Market Harborough in a direct route without hardly touching any roads at all. I walked this route from Market Harborough to West Haddon as part of the Slow Ways Swarm in March....

Emma Poggi Kendall