Leicestershire does not shout about itself. It sits quietly in the East Midlands, sandwiched between more obvious destinations, but spend time walking here and you quickly realise the county has depth. Ancient deer parks, gritstone outcrops, canal towpaths and Iron Age hillforts create a landscape that rewards slower exploration, particularly with a dog.
This guide focuses on dog friendly walks in Leicestershire that offer clear routes, genuine variety and a strong sense of place. Each walk is a specific, proven route with practical detail to help you plan confidently and enjoy the county’s quieter corners without second-guessing.
Bradgate Park and Old John Tower Circular
Bradgate Park is Leicestershire’s most iconic walking landscape, a medieval deer park with rugged rock formations, ancient oaks and the striking folly of Old John Tower crowning the highest point. The park feels wild and open despite being close to Leicester, with wide tracks and grassy paths winding between gnarled trees and exposed outcrops.
Walking here with a dog is straightforward and satisfying. The terrain varies between firm tracks and rougher hillside sections, but routes are well defined and easy to navigate. The presence of deer means dogs must be kept under close control in certain areas, but the space and freedom elsewhere more than compensate. It is a walk that feels both historic and timeless, particularly early in the day when the park is quieter.
- Distance: 5 miles / 8 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Terrain: Parkland paths, rocky outcrops, grassy tracks
- Parking: Multiple car parks (pay and display)
- Toilets: Available at main car parks
- Café: Available at visitor centre
- Best for: Historic parkland and open space
Beacon Hill Country Park Summit Circuit
Beacon Hill is the second highest point in Leicestershire, offering wide views across the county and beyond from its exposed summit. The walk climbs steadily through mixed woodland and heathland before opening out onto rocky outcrops and trig point views that stretch for miles on clear days.
For dogs, this is an energising walk with plenty of scent variety and texture underfoot. The climb is steady rather than brutal, and the open summit gives a genuine sense of achievement. Livestock grazing is managed across parts of the park, so leads may be needed in certain sections, but overall it is a rewarding route that balances effort with atmosphere.
- Distance: 3.1 miles / 5 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Terrain: Woodland paths, heathland, rocky summit
- Parking: Upper and lower car parks (pay and display)
- Toilets: Available at lower car park
- Café: Seasonal ice cream van
- Best for: Summit views and varied terrain
Burrough Hill Iron Age Hillfort Circular
Burrough Hill sits on a prominent ridge in east Leicestershire, crowned by one of the county’s finest Iron Age hillforts. The walk climbs steadily from the car park to the earthwork ramparts, where panoramic views open out across rolling countryside and distant market towns.
Walking here with a dog feels purposeful and open. The climb is moderate, paths are mostly grassland, and the sense of history underfoot adds quiet depth to the experience. The exposed nature of the hill means it can feel breezy, but the views and space make it a standout route for anyone seeking big skies and uncluttered horizons.
- Distance: 6.2 miles / 10 km (circular route via Somerby)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Terrain: Grassy hillside, field paths, country lanes
- Parking: Country park car park (pay and display)
- Toilets: Available at car park
- Best for: Historic landscapes and long views
Foxton Locks and Grand Union Canal Circuit
This canal walk combines the engineering spectacle of Foxton’s ten staircase locks with peaceful towpath walking and gentle countryside loops. Starting near the locks, the route follows the Grand Union Canal before looping back through fields and quiet lanes via the village of Foxton.
It is an excellent choice for dogs that enjoy waterside walking without technical terrain. The towpath is flat and easy, while the countryside return adds variety without difficulty. The locks themselves are worth pausing at, particularly when narrowboats are working through, and the overall atmosphere is calm and unhurried.
- Distance: 4 miles / 6.4 km
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Terrain: Canal towpath, field paths, quiet lanes
- Parking: Country park car park near locks (pay and display)
- Toilets: Available at car park
- Café: Available near locks
- Best for: Relaxed canal walking and gentle scenery
Swithland Wood and Cropston Reservoir Loop
Swithland Wood is one of Leicestershire’s most important ancient woodlands, with dense tree cover, bluebells in spring and a network of quiet paths. This circular route combines the woodland with a loop around Cropston Reservoir, offering a mix of shaded forest and open waterside walking.
For dogs, the variety here is excellent. The woodland sections provide rich scents and softer ground, while the reservoir paths open things out with water views and birdlife. Paths can become muddy after rain, particularly in the wood, but the overall route is forgiving and well suited to steady, relaxed walking.
- Distance: 3.5 miles / 5.6 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Woodland paths, reservoir trails, some muddy sections
- Parking: Halls Gate car park (pay and display)
- Best for: Ancient woodland and waterside scenery
Charnwood Forest Outwoods Circular
The Outwoods is a peaceful area of mixed woodland just outside Loughborough, with well-maintained paths winding through oak, birch and beech trees. The route feels quiet and secluded despite being close to town, with gentle gradients and a strong sense of calm throughout.
Walking here with a dog is uncomplicated and pleasant. The paths are clear, the terrain is forgiving, and the woodland atmosphere makes it ideal for days when you want something restorative rather than challenging. It is particularly good in spring and autumn when the tree cover creates shifting light and colour.
- Distance: 2.5 miles / 4 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Woodland paths, gentle slopes
- Parking: Free car park at entrance
- Best for: Quiet woodland walks
Market Bosworth Country Park and Battlefield Loop
This route combines the managed trails of Market Bosworth Country Park with sections that pass through the historic battlefield site where Richard III fell in 1485. The landscape is gently rolling parkland with a mix of open grassland, woodland edges and quiet field paths.
For dogs, this is a balanced walk with good variety and minimal difficulty. The parkland sections are open and easy, while the battlefield area adds historical interest without changing the terrain significantly. It is a sociable route that feels accessible without being overly manicured.
- Distance: 4.5 miles / 7.2 km
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Terrain: Parkland paths, field trails, woodland edges
- Parking: Country park car park (pay and display)
- Toilets: Available at car park
- Best for: Historic landscapes and easy parkland walking
Rutland Water Hambleton Peninsula Circuit
Though technically just over the border in Rutland, this walk is close enough to Leicestershire to warrant inclusion. The Hambleton Peninsula juts into Rutland Water, offering a shorter alternative to the full reservoir circuit with excellent water views and birdwatching opportunities throughout.
Walking here with a dog is relaxed and rewarding. The paths are mostly firm, the gradients are gentle, and the constant presence of water adds interest without complexity. It is particularly good for dogs that enjoy open spaces and wildlife-rich environments.
- Distance: 3 miles / 4.8 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Reservoir paths, grassy tracks
- Parking: Hambleton car park
- Toilets: Available seasonally
- Best for: Waterside walking and birdwatching
Ulverscroft Priory and Charnwood Forest Trails
This walk explores the quieter western edge of Charnwood Forest, passing the atmospheric ruins of Ulverscroft Priory before looping through mixed woodland and open heathland. The landscape feels remote and wild, with rocky outcrops and dense tree cover creating a strong sense of being far from roads and towns.
For dogs, this is a more adventurous route with varied terrain and plenty of space. The paths can be rough in places, and navigation requires attention, but the atmosphere and scenery make it a standout choice for anyone seeking something less polished and more exploratory.
- Distance: 5.5 miles / 8.8 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Terrain: Woodland paths, heathland, rocky sections
- Parking: Limited roadside parking near priory
- Best for: Wilderness atmosphere and quiet trails
Stanford Hall Estate and River Avon Walk
This gentler walk explores the parkland and riverside paths around Stanford Hall, a grand country estate on Leicestershire’s southern boundary. The route follows the River Avon before looping back through open parkland, offering a mix of waterside and grassland scenery.
Walking here with a dog is calm and uncomplicated. The terrain is mostly flat, paths are well defined, and the riverside sections provide natural interest without difficulty. It is an excellent choice for days when you want something scenic but not demanding.
- Distance: 4 miles / 6.4 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Riverside paths, parkland, field edges
- Parking: Limited parking near estate
- Best for: Riverside walking and open parkland
Map of Dog Friendly Walks in Leicestershire
Use the map below to explore the walks featured in this guide and plan routes that suit your time, fitness and location. It is especially useful if you are looking to cluster walks together or explore different areas of the county over a weekend.
This gentler walk explores the parkland and riverside paths around Stanford Hall, a grand country estate on Leicestershire’s southern boundary. The route follows the River Avon before looping back through open parkland, offering a mix of waterside and grassland scenery.
Walking here with a dog is calm and uncomplicated. The terrain is mostly flat, paths are well defined, and the riverside sections provide natural interest without difficulty. It is an excellent choice for days when you want something scenic but not demanding.
- Distance: 4 miles / 6.4 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Riverside paths, parkland, field edges
- Parking: Limited parking near estate
This walk explores the quieter western edge of Charnwood Forest, passing the atmospheric ruins of Ulverscroft Priory before looping through mixed woodland and open heathland. The landscape feels remote and wild, with rocky outcrops and dense tree cover creating a strong sense of being far from roads and towns.
For dogs, this is a more adventurous route with varied terrain and plenty of space. The paths can be rough in places, and navigation requires attention, but the atmosphere and scenery make it a standout choice for anyone seeking something less polished and more exploratory.
- Distance: 5.5 miles / 8.8 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Terrain: Woodland paths, heathland, rocky sections
- Parking: Limited roadside parking near priory
Though technically just over the border in Rutland, this walk is close enough to Leicestershire to warrant inclusion. The Hambleton Peninsula juts into Rutland Water, offering a shorter alternative to the full reservoir circuit with excellent water views and birdwatching opportunities throughout.
Walking here with a dog is relaxed and rewarding. The paths are mostly firm, the gradients are gentle, and the constant presence of water adds interest without complexity. It is particularly good for dogs that enjoy open spaces and wildlife-rich environments.
- Distance: 3 miles / 4.8 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Reservoir paths, grassy tracks
- Parking: Hambleton car park
- Toilets: Available seasonally
This route combines the managed trails of Market Bosworth Country Park with sections that pass through the historic battlefield site where Richard III fell in 1485. The landscape is gently rolling parkland with a mix of open grassland, woodland edges and quiet field paths.
For dogs, this is a balanced walk with good variety and minimal difficulty. The parkland sections are open and easy, while the battlefield area adds historical interest without changing the terrain significantly. It is a sociable route that feels accessible without being overly manicured.
- Distance: 4.5 miles / 7.2 km
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Terrain: Parkland paths, field trails, woodland edges
- Parking: Country park car park (pay and display)
- Toilets: Available at car park
The Outwoods is a peaceful area of mixed woodland just outside Loughborough, with well-maintained paths winding through oak, birch and beech trees. The route feels quiet and secluded despite being close to town, with gentle gradients and a strong sense of calm throughout.
Walking here with a dog is uncomplicated and pleasant. The paths are clear, the terrain is forgiving, and the woodland atmosphere makes it ideal for days when you want something restorative rather than challenging. It is particularly good in spring and autumn when the tree cover creates shifting light and colour.
- Distance: 2.5 miles / 4 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Woodland paths, gentle slopes
- Parking: Free car park at entrance
Swithland Wood is one of Leicestershire’s most important ancient woodlands, with dense tree cover, bluebells in spring and a network of quiet paths. This circular route combines the woodland with a loop around Cropston Reservoir, offering a mix of shaded forest and open waterside walking.
For dogs, the variety here is excellent. The woodland sections provide rich scents and softer ground, while the reservoir paths open things out with water views and birdlife. Paths can become muddy after rain, particularly in the wood, but the overall route is forgiving and well suited to steady, relaxed walking.
- Distance: 3.5 miles / 5.6 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Woodland paths, reservoir trails, some muddy sections
- Parking: Halls Gate car park (pay and display)
This canal walk combines the engineering spectacle of Foxton’s ten staircase locks with peaceful towpath walking and gentle countryside loops. Starting near the locks, the route follows the Grand Union Canal before looping back through fields and quiet lanes via the village of Foxton.
It is an excellent choice for dogs that enjoy waterside walking without technical terrain. The towpath is flat and easy, while the countryside return adds variety without difficulty. The locks themselves are worth pausing at, particularly when narrowboats are working through, and the overall atmosphere is calm and unhurried.
- Distance: 4 miles / 6.4 km
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Terrain: Canal towpath, field paths, quiet lanes
- Parking: Country park car park near locks (pay and display)
- Toilets: Available at car park
- Café: Available near locks
Burrough Hill sits on a prominent ridge in east Leicestershire, crowned by one of the county’s finest Iron Age hillforts. The walk climbs steadily from the car park to the earthwork ramparts, where panoramic views open out across rolling countryside and distant market towns.
Walking here with a dog feels purposeful and open. The climb is moderate, paths are mostly grassland, and the sense of history underfoot adds quiet depth to the experience. The exposed nature of the hill means it can feel breezy, but the views and space make it a standout route for anyone seeking big skies and uncluttered horizons.
- Distance: 6.2 miles / 10 km (circular route via Somerby)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Terrain: Grassy hillside, field paths, country lanes
- Parking: Country park car park (pay and display)
- Toilets: Available at car park
Beacon Hill is the second highest point in Leicestershire, offering wide views across the county and beyond from its exposed summit. The walk climbs steadily through mixed woodland and heathland before opening out onto rocky outcrops and trig point views that stretch for miles on clear days.
For dogs, this is an energising walk with plenty of scent variety and texture underfoot. The climb is steady rather than brutal, and the open summit gives a genuine sense of achievement. Livestock grazing is managed across parts of the park, so leads may be needed in certain sections, but overall it is a rewarding route that balances effort with atmosphere.
- Distance: 3.1 miles / 5 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Terrain: Woodland paths, heathland, rocky summit
- Parking: Upper and lower car parks (pay and display)
- Toilets: Available at lower car park
- Café: Seasonal ice cream van
Bradgate Park is Leicestershire’s most iconic walking landscape, a medieval deer park with rugged rock formations, ancient oaks and the striking folly of Old John Tower crowning the highest point. The park feels wild and open despite being close to Leicester, with wide tracks and grassy paths winding between gnarled trees and exposed outcrops.
Walking here with a dog is straightforward and satisfying. The terrain varies between firm tracks and rougher hillside sections, but routes are well defined and easy to navigate. The presence of deer means dogs must be kept under close control in certain areas, but the space and freedom elsewhere more than compensate. It is a walk that feels both historic and timeless, particularly early in the day when the park is quieter.
- Distance: 5 miles / 8 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Terrain: Parkland paths, rocky outcrops, grassy tracks
- Parking: Multiple car parks (pay and display)
- Toilets: Available at main car parks
- Café: Available at visitor centre
Find dog friendly walks across the UK using our Wildpack Map.
Tips for Walking Your Dog in Leicestershire
Leicestershire’s landscapes are heavily farmed, and livestock is common across much of the countryside. Even where dogs are allowed off lead, close control is essential, particularly during lambing season and in areas with ground-nesting birds.
- Bradgate Park and Beacon Hill can be busy at weekends, early starts give you quieter trails
- Canal towpaths are shared with cyclists, keep dogs close on narrow sections
- Ancient woodlands like Swithland can become very muddy after rain
- Water is scarce on exposed hilltop routes, carry enough for your dog in warmer months
- Many country parks use pay and display parking, have change or card ready
What’s Nearby?
If you are exploring Leicestershire, there are excellent walking opportunities just beyond the county boundary that pair well with these routes.
- Dog friendly walks in Derbyshire – dramatic Peak District edges, deep valleys and classic gritstone walking within easy reach
- Dog friendly walks in the Peak District – iconic routes and wild moorland landscapes just north of the county
- Dog friendly walks in Staffordshire – Explore sprawling countryide routes and country parks across the county
- Dog friendly walks in Nottinghamshire – Sherwood Forest trails and quiet river valleys to the east
- Dog friendly walks in Warwickshire – gentle countryside, historic towns and canal networks to the south
- Dog friendly walks in Northamptonshire – rolling hills and ironstone villages across the southern border
- Dog friendly walks in Worcestershire – Malvern Hills ridge walks, Wyre Forest ancient woodland and River Severn paths