Watermead Country Park is one of our favorite places for running in Leicester. The park is located 4 miles north of the city center and part of the northern section of the River Soar trails. It’s a haven for wildlife (200 species of birds!) with nature reserves and wetland habitats, tranquil lakes, and wildflower meadows. There’s an extensive network of cycle and footpaths around several lakes. The path surfaces are a mix of paved, gravel, and grass, with varying widths.
King Lears Lake. Mat Fascione
We’ve put together a 10k “loop” which covers most of Watermead, allowing for loops around several lakes. You can also create your own route — use this excellent trail map. We start just south of the Mammoth Lake car park at Nature Lake. Run on the River Soar path by Nature Lake, and then along the east side of Mammoth Lake. Rejoin the River Soar path, to Trilakes, which is a series of small lakes. Run on the east side of Trilakes on the River Soar path for 0.5 miles, and then another 0.5 miles on the east side of King Lears Lake (where King Lear is buried — there’s a statue) along the Grand Union Canal Path. Finally, run along John Merrick’s Lake. For the return, use the paths mainly on the west side of the lakes.
Add-Ons: A narrow paved path continues north along the Grand Union Canal for several miles toward Crossington. Or run the River Soar paths south of Watermead Way.
Watermead Country Park is one of our favorite places for running in Leicester. The park is located 4 miles north of the city center and part of the northern section of the River Soar trails. It’s a haven for wildlife (200 species of birds!) with nature reserves and wetland habitats, tranquil lakes, and wildflower meadows. There’s an extensive network of cycle and footpaths around several lakes. The path surfaces are a mix of paved, gravel, and grass, with varying widths.
King Lears Lake. Mat Fascione
We’ve put together a 10k “loop” which covers most of Watermead, allowing for loops around several lakes. You can also create your own route — use this excellent trail map. We start just south of the Mammoth Lake car park at Nature Lake. Run on the River Soar path by Nature Lake, and then along the east side of Mammoth Lake. Rejoin the River Soar path, to Trilakes, which is a series of small lakes. Run on the east side of Trilakes on the River Soar path for 0.5 miles, and then another 0.5 miles on the east side of King Lears Lake (where King Lear is buried — there’s a statue) along the Grand Union Canal Path. Finally, run along John Merrick’s Lake. For the return, use the paths mainly on the west side of the lakes.
Add-Ons: A narrow paved path continues north along the Grand Union Canal for several miles toward Crossington. Or run the River Soar paths south of Watermead Way.
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Essentials
Mapped loop is 6.1 miles (10 km), with shorter & longer options possible
Flat
Just south of Mammoth Lake car park, or other car parks
Several car parks, including at Mammoth Lake, Tri Lakes, & northern end of King Lears Lake
There are miles of scenic paths along the Soar River in Leicester. We've mapped north & south sections from the City Centre, and also recommend a loop around the lovely Victorian-era Abbey Park.
This 'Runseeing' tour of Leicester has a nice variety: key sites in the historic City Centre, mainly on pedestrianized streets; New Walk; Victoria Park & Leicester University; and Leicester Castle & Castle Gardens. Add with Stokeswood Park, Abbey Park, river paths.
Aylestone Meadows, Leicester's largest nature preserve, has been a recreation destination for more than 100 years. It's a mosaic of pastures, trees, river margins and small ponds, criss-crossed by several miles of paths.
Some nice park running in western Leicester. A highlight is Braunstone Park, a 168-acre open space with formal gardens, 2 lakes, jogging paths with gym equipment. Combine with Western Park. Just west is Western Park Golf Course, a large open space with footpaths.
Very scenic running a few miles northwest of Leicester. Bradgate Park features several miles of trails through a rugged, hilly countryside, with an open landscape & great views. There's also a 1.75 mile paved path. Adjacent Swithland Wood features wooded trails.
The Great Central Way is a paved multi-use path that follows an old rail line from the City Centre south to Glen Parma in the Soar Valley. It's not always the most scenic run, but it's a good opportunity to clock some easy, flat off-road miles.
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Essentials
Mapped loop is 6.1 miles (10 km), with shorter & longer options possible
Flat
Just south of Mammoth Lake car park, or other car parks
Several car parks, including at Mammoth Lake, Tri Lakes, & northern end of King Lears Lake
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!