4k Run North West Leicestershire: Scenic Sence Valley Park Loop

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 4.5km loop offers an incredibly accessible and scenic escape into the heart of the North West Leicestershire countryside. Starting from Ravenstone Road, you’ll enjoy a predominantly flat, fully paved circuit that hugs the perimeter of Horseshoe Lake. With a gentle total ascent of just 24m, this route is perfect for runners looking to maintain a steady tempo or those wanting a smooth recovery run. The paved surface makes it a reliable choice throughout the year, ensuring you can enjoy the park’s serene water views and diverse birdlife without worrying about muddy trails.

Sence Valley Forest Park is a remarkable example of landscape transformation, built upon the site of a former South Derbyshire coalfield open-cast mine. Since the 1990s, the area has been reclaimed by nature, with over 100,000 trees planted to create the lush woodland and wildflower meadows you see today. As you run past the River Sence, you are moving through a key part of the National Forest, where the industrial heritage of the Midlands has been replaced by one of the region's most popular spots for spotting kingfishers and sand martins.