Some of the pavements and paths are uneven in places - take care.
[1] With your back to the sports centre turn right towards the car park, pass the entrance to Abbey Park cross over the car park and follow the path down to the canal towpath, by steps or ramp.
[2] Turn right onto the canal towpath and follow it forward about 1 kilometre past the North Lock to cross the weir where the canal meets the River Soar.
Keep away from the edge of the towpath and beware of cyclists on the towpath as warning may not be given of their approach.
There is a ramp with shallow steps up at the North Lock.
[3] Bear left along the towpath and continue under the Soar Lane bridge.
The towpath here is very uneven.
[4] Then either cross the next weir and turn right along the riverbank, or bear right past the mound with the observation platform on it (don't bother going up, there's nothing to see!) to Soar Lane then go left over a metal bridge. You reach the Rally Community Park.
Beware of cyclists in the park as warning may not be given of their approach.
(A) This path is on the route of the former Leicester to Swannington Railway from West Bridge Station to Desford and Coalville. The line, engineered by Robert Stephenson, opened in 1832 and carried coal from the Leicestershire coalfield and granite from the Groby quarries. Passenger trains serving Glenfield, Kirby Muxloe and Ratby ceased in 1928 and the line finally closed in 1966. It is possible to walk to the Railway Inn at Ratby along the old track bed - with diversions around the closed Glenfield tunnel.
[5] Continue forward on the path to the right side of the park.
[6] Take the next path on the right, just after the playground, to exit the park by the side of the adventure playground. Go straight on down Dunton Street to its end.
[7] Turn left onto Woodgate, cross the road at the traffic lights and turn right to walk along Woodgate.
(B) Woodgate was formerly known as St Leonard's and was a busy industrial area with hosiery, dyeworks and biscuit factories. Virtually all have now disappeared and been demolished. Most of the houses were built in the early 20th century to provide homes for the local workers. The area is now part of the city's regeneration plans. On your left is the Woodgate Centre, converted from the Woodgate LIbrary of 1898.
[8] Turn left after Kwik Fit onto Abbey Gate and continue towards the piers of the old railway bridge, crossing over when convenient.
[9] Take the path on the right just before the bridge, past the caravan dealers to reach St Margarets Way. Cross over at the traffic lights to the other side of St Margarets Way.
[10] Turn left and then immediately right to take the footpath by the park wall that drops down towards the river.
[11] Cross the concrete footbridge over the river and then turn left and then right to return to the centre.