Leicestershire is quieter walking country than its neighbours, and all the better for it. The ancient rocks, heath and woodland of Charnwood Forest around Bradgate Park, Beacon Hill and Woodhouse Eaves give the county its best hill walking, while the Soar Valley, the Grand Union and Ashby canals and the Vale of Belvoir offer gentle, level routes. In the north west the new woodland of the National Forest and the old coalfield villages around Coalville and Whitwick add variety, and market towns such as Melton Mowbray, Loughborough and Market Bosworth make easy starting points.

The Leicestershire Round, Ivanhoe Way, Jubilee Way and Mowbray Way all cross the county, joined by longer national routes including the Viking Way, Midshires Way and Macmillan Way.