Watermead is a region in Leicestershire, England, characterized by its extensive network of lakes, rivers, and diverse natural habitats. This area, largely transformed from former gravel workings, offers a unique landscape of open water, wetlands, woodlands, and meadows, making it suitable for a variety of outdoor pursuits. The River Soar and the Grand Union Canal flow through Watermead, providing picturesque routes and wildlife corridors. Its varied terrain supports several sports like road cycling, mountain biking, touring cycling, jogging, and more.
…69
Routes
4.4
(78)
Average rating
1574
People visited

3.0
(3)
34
riders
40.3km
01:43
240m
240m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(3)
64
riders
55.7km
02:45
460m
460m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.5
(4)
57
riders
41.6km
01:44
200m
200m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(4)
53
riders
56.2km
02:36
390m
390m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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3.0
(1)
6
riders
60.8km
04:33
540m
540m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.8
(5)
32
riders
22.2km
01:27
170m
170m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
13
riders
54.7km
03:48
570m
570m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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5.0
(1)
347
runners
6.56km
00:41
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

49
runners
6.72km
00:42
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
runners
5.25km
00:33
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
6.23km
00:39
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.6
(9)
66
riders
22.1km
01:24
120m
120m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
11
riders
26.2km
01:51
60m
60m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.8
(5)
10
riders
27.8km
01:40
120m
120m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
10
riders
47.1km
02:49
260m
260m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(2)
20
riders
43.0km
03:27
710m
710m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

10
riders
36.7km
02:38
460m
460m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
3
riders
16.5km
01:17
290m
290m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
8.13km
00:36
140m
140m
Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
18
hikers
8.08km
02:03
20m
20m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

19
hikers
7.09km
01:47
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
hikers
2.69km
00:41
0m
0m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
hikers
3.85km
00:58
0m
0m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Watermead offers a diverse range of outdoor activities, including road cycling, mountain biking, touring cycling, jogging, hiking, and gravel biking. The region features an extensive network of paths and trails suitable for various pursuits. Over 20 routes are available, with an average rating of 4.58 stars from more than 1,200 ratings.
Yes, Watermead Country Park provides dedicated paths suitable for road cycling. The park is integrated into the National Cycle Network, specifically Routes 6 and 48, connecting Leicester City with Loughborough. Surfaces are largely paved, offering smooth rides. For specific routes, consult the Road Cycling Routes around Watermead guide.
Watermead Country Park offers trails that can accommodate light mountain biking experiences, with sections of compacted gravel and unpaved surfaces. These trails wind through diverse habitats within the park. Information on specific mountain biking options can be found in the MTB Trails around Watermead guide.
Watermead Country Park features routes of varying difficulty, including easy rides perfect for any fitness level. Many paths are primarily paved and traffic-free, making them suitable for families. These routes allow for enjoyable and safe cycling experiences through the park's natural landscapes.
The park's network of surfaced paths and trails makes it an ideal location for jogging and running. The terrain includes a mix of paved, gravel, and grass sections, offering diverse running experiences. Watermead also hosts a weekly 5k parkrun event every Saturday. Explore options in the Running Trails around Watermead guide.
Watermead Country Park is characterized by over 12 lakes and ponds, including John Merricks Lake, King Lear's Lake, and Mammoth Lake, which features a life-sized woolly mammoth sculpture. The River Soar and the Grand Union Canal also flow through the park. It is a designated Local Nature Reserve with diverse habitats like wetlands, woodlands, and wildflower meadows.
Watermead Country Park is generally dog-friendly, but specific rules regarding leash requirements and designated areas may apply. Visitors should check local signage within the park for the most current regulations. Responsible dog ownership, including waste disposal, is expected.
Watermead is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 19,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes in the region have an average rating of 4.58 out of 5 stars from over 1,200 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among outdoor enthusiasts.
Komoot offers several guides for Watermead, covering various sports. These include Road Cycling Routes around Watermead, MTB Trails around Watermead, Cycling around Watermead, Running Trails around Watermead, Hiking around Watermead, Easy hikes around Watermead, and Gravel biking around Watermead.
Information for Watermead Country Park is primarily managed through local councils. The Leicestershire Country Parks website, leicscountryparks.org.uk, serves as a valuable resource. For general park inquiries, the Leicester City Council Parks email is parks@leicester.gov.uk. A general phone number for Leicestershire County Council parks helpdesk is 0116 3055000.
Yes, Watermead Country Park offers extensive opportunities for walking and hiking. Scenic routes wind through woodlands, by lakes, and across diverse habitats. Paths are well-maintained and suitable for various levels of hikers. For specific hiking options, refer to the Hiking around Watermead guide.
Watermead Country Park spans approximately 346 acres (140 hectares). This expansive area provides ample space for a wide range of outdoor activities and supports diverse natural habitats. It is a significant green oasis in Leicestershire.

