The District benefits from an extensive network of footpaths and bridleways for the use of residents and visitors.
A number of leaflets are available for download that present walks in and around attractive villages, to visit historical features and stunning countryside.
Blisworth - Leaflet 1: Page1 Page 2 Page3 Leaflet 2 (NCC Short walk)
Bugbrooke - Leaflet 1: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Leaflet 2 (NCC Short walk)
Cosgrove (NCC Short walk)
Eydon (NCC Short walk)
Greatworth (NCC Short walk)
Greens Norton - Leaflet 1: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4
Hartwell (NCC Short walk)
Kings Sutton (NCC Short walk)
Little and Great Houghton (NCC Short walk)
Middleton Cheney - Leaflet 1: Page1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4
Pattishal (NCC Short walk)
Piddington (NCC Short walk)
Roade (NCC Short walk)
Rothersthorpe (NCC Shortwalk)
Stoke Bruerne - Leaflet 1: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Leaflet 2 (NCC Short walk)
Sulgrave (NCC Short walk)
Please note: Some of the NCC documents are scans of an old series of walks promoted in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Some of the information, including the route of rights of way may be out of date but can still be used as a guide in conjunction with the OS Explorer map.
Try - South Northamptonshire Council walks
South Northamptonshire coordinate a program of free ranger led Health Walks in the district. Two volunteer Walk Leaders guide each walk and there is no need to book, just turn up on the day. There is no requirement for any special equipment but dress sensibly for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for the conditions. Please arrive a few minutes before the start to allow time to complete registration forms.
The following link gives details of the led health walks happening around South Northamptonshire
Longer Paths
Grafton Way
This 13 mile route follows the Grand Union Canal towpath and then takes to undulating farmland and villages. It is named after the Dukes of Grafton, who were large land-owners in the southern part of the County throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Starts at Wolverton, Milton Keynes (Grid Ref - SP807413), finishes at Greens Norton (Grid Ref - SP669499).
Full details are shown on OS Explorer Map sheet 207.
Grand Union Canal Trail
The Grand Union Trail runs between London - Birmingham for a total of 234km and takes in Slough, Wendover, Aylesbury, Northampton, Leicester and Market harborough alongside the canal. The section through the South Northamptonshire District runs between Cosgrove and Nether Heyford.
Full details are shown on OS Explorer Map sheet 207.
The following Grand Union Canal Trail link provides a guide to the whole walk and a range of canal side walking and cycling options along the route. The site also gives access to detailed walks from the villages of Blisworth, Stoke Bruerne and Cosgrove in South Northamptonshire.
Jurassic Way
Part of the 88 mile Jurassic Way passes through South Northamptonshire. The full route is a long distance, recreational walking path which runs from Banbury in Oxfordshire to Stamford in Lincolnshire, two historic market towns separated by beautiful undulating countryside lying over rocks from the Jurassic Age (145 - 195 million years old).
A leaflet on the section through South Northants is available here.
Knightley Way
This 12 mile route visits Foxley, Farthingstone and Fawsley Park to end at Greens Norton at the end of the Grafton Way. Much of the route passes through attractive countryside formerly owned by the Knightley family of Fawsley Hall. Start at Badby, Northants (Grid Ref - SP560587), finish at Greens Norton (Grid Ref - SP669499).
Full details are shown on OS Explorer Map sheet 207.
The Millenium Way is a 100 mile long distance walking route which starts (or ends) at middleton Cheney and runs to Pershore in Worcestershire.
Nene Way
The Nene Way is a long distance recreational route which follows the River Nene for 70 miles through Northamptonshire.
The Nene has three sources all within Northamptonshire, one of which is located a mile west of Badby where the Nene Way commences. From here the Nene flows to Northampton, where it is joined by the Brampton Arm and becomes navigable on to the sea. It then flows east and north through the County passing Thrapston, Oundle and Fotheringhay before leaving the county near Wansford, and finally reaches the sea at the Wash.
A leaflet on the section through South Northants (Netherheyford to Kislingbury) is available here.
Northampton Round
The 50 mile circular walking route around Northampton was created by the local walking group the Ten Foot Club in 2003. A leaflet detailing the route is available here.
For information on the shorter circular walks please visit: www.tenfootclub.org.uk
Oxford Canal Trail
The 77 mile Oxford Canal trail runs alongside the canal. The section through South Northamptonshire District lies between grid references (498318) and (494338) and includes Kings Sutton and Aynho Wharf.
The following link gives a range of canal side walking and cycling options along the whole route and also gives detailed walks from Aynho and Kings Sutton in South Northamptonshire.