QH Walk 2

Turn right out of the Queens Head onto Main Street and follow it to Bakehouse Lane. Turn left up the lane and stay on the Leicestershire Round as it passes the old bakery and along the jitty to the gate leading into a grassy farmyard. Continue through the yard and out through another gateway onto Kibworth Road. Carefully cross the road and go through the metal gate opposite — it has been known to put up a bit of a fight.

The path across the first field is usually well marked, so keep following the Leicestershire Round to the double gate into the next field. This second field is classic ridge‑and‑furrow, and it’s wise to stroll along one of the ridges; the furrows can hold water after wet weather. Either or both fields may contain cattle, but they’re generally docile and tend to ignore passing walkers.

Aim for the slightly misplaced kissing gate leading into the Persimmon housing estate and continue straight ahead until you reach a cross‑path. Turn right and follow the path to its end. You’ll emerge at a bus stop where Saddington Road meets Fleckney Road. Look across the road and slightly to the left: when you spot the small opening and/or the footpath sign, head for it — taking great care crossing what can feel suspiciously like a motorway.

This footpath leads through three fields that collect mud at their gates after rain. Just after a small pond on your right, the path curves slightly left, and you’ll need to take care as you descend into the last field.

As you exit this field, the canal is on your left and well worth a quick look. The footpath continues through more fields, but you want to turn right — you’re now walking directly over Saddington Tunnel. The first section of this wide track is short and brings you out onto Kibworth Road. If you thought the previous road was a motorway, this one is a race‑track. Take care crossing and head for the large metal gate opposite; just push it open, there’s no latch. This longer section of the tunnel path ends with a steepish downward kink back to the canal towpath.

Enjoy the serenity as you wander almost aimlessly along the canal and under Saddington Road. Keep going past the winding hole, where boaters can turn around if they don’t fancy the tunnel. As the canal bears right, just before Smeeton Aqueduct, there’s a stile in the hedgerow. It’s fine for long legs, but a bit of a stretch for some of us. It is, however, the only stile on this walk and it’s reassuringly solid.

Once safely over the stile, head left down the slope to the track below. Left leads to Smeeton Westerby, but you want to go through the gateway, under the canal, and out through the second gateway. Neither gate is locked, so there’s no need to use the adjacent stiles.

Follow the footpath as it wanders through this small valley, making sure not to follow the farm track after the next gate. Instead, keep to the tree line and continue to the next — and last — of the large metal gates. After a short while you’ll see a long footbridge on your right and the dreaded, incorrectly named “Saddington Hill” on your left. Don’t panic: you want the footbridge.

You’re now back on the Leicestershire Round and four kissing gates away from the end. The first of these is a little awkward and immediately followed by a second, shorter footbridge. This field and/or the next sometimes host a few rams. They’re harmless, and if they approach you they’re usually just after a bit of fuss.

Continue down through the next two kissing gates and begin the gradual climb through a field normally full of sheep. The path levels out just before the next kissing gate into a field where horses occasionally roam. The path — if you can spot it — continues upwards to the final kissing gate. You’re now in a jittyway between buildings as it winds up to Saddington’s Main Street. Take a breather while the rest of the team catch up, then turn left and head to the pub.