Getting Active - Walking

12 Short Countryside Walks For All

Discover accessible, short walks across Lincolnshire's picturesque countryside.

Embrace the magic of movement this winter with 12 short countryside walks for all in Lincolnshire.

Enjoy the fresh air and the great outdoors

We have detailed the accessibility of these walking routes to help you plan your outing with ease, including information on path surfaces, gradients, seating available, parking and facilities, as well as the length and distance of each of the short walks.

12 Short Countryside Walks For All

  • Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve Walk
  • Skegness Waterways Walk
  • Chapel Six Marshes Walk
  • Horncastle Spa Trail Walk
  • Southrey to Stickswold Water Railway Walk
  • Chambers Farm Wood Walk
  • Louth Hubbard’s Hill Walk
  • Willingham Woods Walk
  • Deepings Lake Walk
  • Frampton Marsh Nature Reserve Walk
  • Grantham Canal Walk
  • Hartsholme Country Park Walk

Scroll down to discover more about these short walks in Lincolnshire.

Discover the Magic of Movement this Winter

As winter wraps its frosty arms around Lincolnshire, let’s unwrap the gift of movement and go on a journey through the enchanting landscapes that our county has to offer. Lace up your trainers, breathe in the crisp winter air, and let the magic of these short walks add joy and wellness to your festive season.

1: Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve Walk

Enjoy a short walk around this national nature reserve, nestled along the south of Skegness that stretches to Britain’s largest estuary, The Wash. Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve is a unique and unspoilt coastline reserve, with sand dunes, saltmarsh, and meadows that create a picturesque setting for wildlife enthusiasts. There are benches around the walking route for you to stop and enjoy the view along the way, and three bird hide entrances

  • Starting Point: Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve Visitor Centre
  • Facilities: Visitor Centre with a café and toilets, pay and display car park (cash only, £2 for 2 hours or £5 all day) with tarmacked surface and blue badge parking bays.
  • Walk Details: Loop walk, 1.75 miles (2.82 km), 1 hour
  • Path Surfaces: Tarmac, compacted stone, or a mix of stone and grass. All paths are at least one metre wide.
  • Gradients: Steepest uphill section: 1:6 (16%) for 14 metres. Steepest downhill section: 1:7 (14%) for 16 metres.

Plan your walk and download the map here

2: Skegness Waterways Walk

This 20-minute linear walk along North Parade in Skegness offers a delightful blend of green spaces, sea views and wildlife along the waterway. Seating and picnic benches, as well as a children’s playground, are found along the route, making it a great place to take your family. 

  • Starting Point: North Parade, Skegness
  • Facilities: Pay and display car parks, children’s playground, nearby accessible toilet open seasonally
  • Walk Details: Linear walk, 0.6 miles (0.97 km), 20 minutes
  • Path Surfaces: Tarmac, concrete and compacted stone
  • Gradients: Steepest uphill section: 1:10 (10%) for 25 metres. Steepest downhill section: 1:10 (10%) for 25 metres.

Plan your walk and download the map here

3: Chapel Six Marshes Walk

Explore the beauty of the Lincolnshire Coast on an accessible walk in the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park with a 30-minute circular walk. Found at Chapel St Leonards, the country park’s short walking route takes you through the home of a variety of birdlife and plant life, and has picnic spots and seating along the way as well as a sculpture lying within the shrubs. 

  • Starting Point: Chapel Six Marshes, Chapel St Leonards
  • Facilities: Car park, picnic site
  • Walk Details: Loop, 0.4 miles (0.64 km), 30 minutes
  • Path Surfaces: Compacted stone with some bumpy sections with loose stone. Tarmacked car park. The route is either level or gently sloping. 
  • Gradients: Steepest uphill section: 1:8 (12.5%) for 12 metres. Steepest downhill section: 1:10 (10%) for 31 metres. 

Plan your walk and download the map here

4: Horncastle Spa Trail Walk

Step on the path to history with a linear 1-hour walk along Lincolnshire’s Spa Trail in Horncastle that follows the old railway line to Woodhall Spa. Part of the famous Viking Way trail, this scenic, traffic-free section is suitable for walking and cycling and takes you through the beautiful woodland and rolling countryside of the county. There’s a bench just under halfway along the route where you can enjoy the surrounding nature and information boards to tell you more about the history of the Horncastle Canal. 

  • Starting Point: Coronation Walk, Horncastle
  • Facilities: Dedicated tarmac parking area for blue badge parking.
  • Walk Details: Linear, 1.8 miles (2.90 km), 1 hour
  • Path Surface: Compacted stone and tarmac.
  • Gradients: Steepest uphill section: 1:10 (10%) for 13 metres.

Plan your walk and download the map here

5: Water Railway Southrey To Stixwould Walk

Discover the charm of the Water Railway, on a 20-minute linear walk along an old railway line that links Boston and Lincoln. Look out for the abundant wildlife along this trail, as well as sculptures reflecting the local landscape and heritage. With a pub at the start of the trail and plenty of seating en route, it’s the perfect place for a brisk stroll after a Sunday lunch.

  • Starting Point: Ferry Road, Southrey
  • Facilities: Pub – The Riverside Inn, seating, car parking (uneven compacted stone)
  • Walk Details: Linear, 1.7 miles (2.74 km), 30 minutes
  • Path Surface: Mainly tarmac with one short stretch of concrete
  • Gradients: Steepest uphill and downhill section: 1:16 (6%) for 11 metres.

Plan your walk and download the map here

6: Chambers Farm Wood Walk

Chambers Farm Wood is an ancient Limewood in Market Rasen, which has existed since before 1600. Explore the rich biodiversity of the woodland with a 35-minute circular walk through the trees and butterflies. It’s a joy for any nature lover at any time of the year.

  • Starting Point: Chambers Farm Wood, Market Rasen
  • Facilities: Main car park with blue badge parking, Wood (visitor) centre, seating and picnic benches
  • Walk Details: Loop, 1.25 miles (2.01 km), 35 minutes
  • Path Surface: Compacted stone with some bumpy sections and sections with loose stones.
  • Gradients: Steepest uphill section: 1:11 (9%) for 30 metres. Steepest downhill section: 1:11 (9%) for a couple of short 3-metre sections.

Plan your walk and download the map here

7: Louth Hubbard’s Hills Walk

Enjoy a brisk walk through the picturesque valley of Hubbard’s Hills in Louth. Follow the River Lud on a linear 1-hour walk that is surrounded by magnificent trees and a winding chalk stream river rich in biodiversity.

  • Starting Point: Crowtree Lane, Louth
  • Facilities: Pay and display parking on a sloped compacted stone surface at the north entrance on Crowtree Lane. Free parking with tarmac and level surface at the south entrance at Halfpenny Lane. Accessible toilet at the north entrance on Crowtree Lane. 
  • Walk Details: Linear, 1.2 miles (1.93 km), 1 hour
  • Path Surface: Mostly tarmac or concrete.
  • Gradients: Steepest uphill and downhill sections: 1:8 (12%) for 84 metres. 

Plan your walk and download the map here

8: Willingham Woods Walk

Willingham Woods is a family favourite walking route in Market Rasen. Enjoy a short 1.1-mile loop through the pinewood forest, passing two ponds brimming with local wildlife. At the starting point of the walk, there is a large grassed area with picnic benches. 

  • Starting Point: Willingham Woods, Market Rasen
  • Facilities: Large tarmac car park, picnic area
  • Walk Details: Loop, 1.1 miles, 1.77 km, 45 mins
  • Path Surface: Compacted stone and tarmac. The route is mostly level with short slopes. There may be tree roots.
  • Gradients: Steepest uphill section: 1:8 (12%) for 16 metres. Steepest downhill section: 1:7 (14%) for 8 metres. 

Plan your walk and download the map here

9: Deeping Lakes Walk

Get out in nature for the day exploring Deeping Lakes in the south of Lincolnshire. This Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve walk takes you on a 40-minute circular trail along the bank of the River Wellend and around the naturally flooded gravel pits where a variety of wildlife and waterbirds live. There is seating along the route and a step-free bird hide for you to enjoy watching the natural world.

  • Starting Point: Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve, Peterborough
  • Facilities: Blue badge parking bays. The car park surface is compacted stone with some loose stones and potholes. 
  • Walk Details: Loop, 1.25 miles (2.01 km), 40 mins
  • Path Surface: Short grass and bare earth. The route is mostly level with some short slopes. One out of the three bird hides is step-free – 80cm door width. There are 3 pedestrian gates – 1.5 metres wide.
  • Gradients: Steepest uphill section: 1:9 (11%) for 4 metres, and 1:10 (10%) for 46 metres. Steepest downhill section: 1:6 (16%) for 13 metres.

Plan your walk and download the map here

10: Frampton Marsh Nature Reserve

Discover the wonders of RSPB Frampton Marsh near Boston on a brisk 1hr 15 mins circular walk. The trail weaves around wet grassland, reed beds, and salt marsh habitats and boasts a breathtaking experience for all nature enthusiasts. There are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the birdlife along the route, as well as step-free bird hides and stunning viewpoints.

  • Starting Point: RSPB Frampton Marsh Nature Reserve Visitor Centre
  • Facilities: Concrete blue badge parking area, compacted stone main car park. Accessible toilet. Visitor Centre with Café.
  • Walk Details: Loop, 2.4 miles (3.86 km), 1hr 15 mins
  • Path Surface: Compacted stone with some loose stones. The route is mostly level with some short slopes. 
  • Gradients: Steepest uphill section: 1:8 (12%) for 10 metres. Steepest downhill section: 1:14 (7%) for 3 metres. 

Plan your walk and download the map here

11: Grantham Canal Walk

Follow the surfaced towpath alongside Grantham Canal between two bridges for a short 1-hour linear walk. The restored canal is home to a variety of wildlife and is a popular route for walkers and cyclists alike. Enjoy a walk getting close to nature in Grantham. 

  • Starting Point: Casthorpe Road bridge, near Denton
  • Facilities: Small, narrow roadside layby for parking
  • Walk Details: Linear, 1.6 miles (2.57 km), 1 hour
  • Path Surface: Compacted stone with some loose stone in places. The route is either level or gently sloping. The path is a minimum of one metre wide, however, there is vegetation encroachment on the edges of part of the path. 
  • Gradients: Steepest uphill and downhill section: 1:7 (14%) for 33 metres. 

Plan your walk and download the map here

12: Hartsholme Country Park Walk

In the heart of Lincolnshire, enjoy a 30-minute circular walk around Hartsholme Country Park. With Victorian landscaped gardens, a reservoir, woodlands, and grasslands it’s the perfect escape into nature within the bustling city of Lincoln. There is a visitor centre, toilets and a café, as well as a children’s playground and plenty of benches and picnic spots to enjoy all year round.

  • Starting Point: 377 Skellingthorpe Road, Lincoln
  • Facilities: Tarmac surfaced blue badge parking, compacted stone car park
  • Walk Details: Loop, 1 mile (1.61 km), 30 mins
  • Path Surface: Tarmac and compacted stone (uneven in some places). The route is mostly level, apart from the footbridge.
  • Gradients: Steepest uphill section: 1:15 (6%) for 15 metres. Steepest downhill section: 1:15 (6%) for 18 metres. 

Plan your walk and download the map here

Join a Walking Group

Joining a walking group is a great way to motivate yourself keep walking regularly, you’ll be able to socialise and make new friends whilst becoming more active. They also allow you to explore your local area, or to safely venture further afield.

Here is some information on some of the different groups across Lincolnshire you can join. Most groups are free, or very low-cost to join.

More Walking Routes & Trails

Lincolnshire has many beautiful walking routes, whether you want to ramble in the Wolds, enjoy a coastal walk with your family or discover more about Lincolnshire history on a town trail, we have some suggestions below.