Walking in Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a county of rolling farmland and stone villages in the middle of England. The River Nene runs past Northampton and Oundle, the Grand Union Canal climbs through the west of the county to Braunston, and in the north the Jurassic Way follows a limestone ridge.
Every walk on this page is plotted on the map above. Zoom, drag or click a pin to explore, or search a town to list its walks.
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Daventry & the Grand Union Canal
Towcester & the south
Northampton & the Nene Valley
Top walks by area
A starting point for each part of Northamptonshire: well-documented routes that finish back where they start, between 1 and 12 miles.
Towcester & the south
- Deanshanger Footpath LoopDeanshanger · 3.4 mi
- Greens Norton via River ToveGreens Norton · 5.0 mi
Northampton & the Nene Valley
- Cogenhoe via Brafield-on-the-GreenCogenhoe · 3.4 mi
Popular in Northamptonshire
Know before you go
Practical points for walking in Northamptonshire. Rules and timetables change, so check the linked sources before you set off.
Grand Union Canal
At Braunston the Grand Union meets the Oxford Canal at a triangular junction. Six locks climb from the marina to the 2,049-yard Braunston Tunnel, and to the east the Buckby flight of seven locks drops towards Whilton.
Nene Way
This 110-mile path follows the River Nene from Badby, near Daventry, through Northampton, Thrapston, Oundle and Fotheringhay to Peterborough and on to Sutton Bridge in Lincolnshire.
Jurassic Way
Most of this 88-mile trail is in Northamptonshire, along the limestone ridge in the north of the county. It passes Rockingham Castle and the 82-arch Welland Viaduct at Harringworth.
Pitsford Water
The 413-hectare reservoir east of Brixworth was built in 1956 to supply Northampton. Anglian Water runs it for walking, cycling and birdwatching, and the area north of the causeway is a Wildlife Trust nature reserve.
Rushden Lakes
The shopping and leisure park beside the Nene opened in 2017. The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire has a visitor centre overlooking the Skew Bridge lake.
Walking in Northamptonshire: questions
How many walks are there in Northamptonshire?
We list 13 walking routes in Northamptonshire, starting from 12 towns and villages. The typical route is about 4 miles; 6 are under 4 miles and 3 are 10 miles or more. Every route is free to view.
Which towns have the most walks?
Deanshanger (2) leads the list; every other town has one walk. Use the town search or the town list on this page to see every walk from a particular place.
Are there short circular walks in Northamptonshire?
Yes. 2 routes under 4 miles finish where they start, including Cogenhoe via Brafield-on-the-Green (3.4 mi) and Deanshanger Footpath Loop (3.4 mi). Choose Under 4 mi and Back to start in the filters above to see them all.
Can I take my dog on Northamptonshire walks?
Yes, on most routes. Keep dogs on a lead near sheep and cattle in fields and close by on canal towpaths, and on a lead no longer than 2 metres on open access land from 1 March to 31 July. See Know before you go for more.
Can I walk along the Grand Union Canal in Northamptonshire?
Yes. Our walks follow the towpath from Bugbrooke to Braunston, and from Braunston west towards Leamington Spa. Braunston, where the Grand Union meets the Oxford Canal, is a good place to start.
What is the Nene Way?
A 110-mile waymarked path that follows the River Nene from Badby, near Daventry, through Northampton and Oundle to Peterborough and Sutton Bridge in Lincolnshire.
Which long-distance trails pass through Northamptonshire?
The Grand Union Canal Way and Jurassic Way both pass through Northamptonshire, and each has its own guide on Walking Rambler.