Linghurst Lakes Nature Reserve – Idle Valley Nature Reserve loop from Lound

Hiking trails & Routes

Linghurst Lakes Nature Reserve – Idle Valley Nature Reserve loop from Lound

Moderate

5.0

(14)

129

hikers

Linghurst Lakes Nature Reserve – Idle Valley Nature Reserve loop from Lound

02:15

8.97km

10m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Last updated: September 9, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Get Directions

27 m

Linghurst Lakes Nature Reserve

Highlight • Lake

This is an area of old quarrying which was rejuvenated into a series of lakes and wetland area. Now managed by the parish council of Lound it's a small nature reserve.

Tip by

446 m

Idle Valley Nature Reserve

Nature Reserve

3.84 km

Mildred Scott Memorial Bench With Lake View

Highlight • Structure

Take five, lovely spot for a sit down with views of the birds on the Nature Reserve Lake and the sound of the babbling brook behind you

Tip by

4.42 km

Idle Bridge Over the River Idle

Highlight • Viewpoint

Relic from the past, bridge over the River Idle. Formerly allowing heavy machinery access to the old gravel pits. Just off the footpath, the bridge now ends in a field, but nice elevated views up & down the river.

Tip by

5.71 km

Riverside Walk at the Edge of the Nature Reserve

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Nice riverside walk at the edge of the nature reserve.

Tip by

8.35 km

Idle Valley Nature Reserve

Highlight • Trail

"Off-Road" dusty (in summer) gravel road, accessible by car and wide enough to park on. Cuts across the middle of the Nature Reserve giving access to the heart of it.

Tip by

8.71 km

Idle Valley Nature Reserve Viewpoint

Highlight • Natural

Viewing area just off the Chain Bridge Lane, perfect for birdwatchers, panoramic views of the wetlands in the Northern half of the Idle Valley Nature Reserve

Tip by

8.97 km

End point

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

8.49 km

483 m

Surfaces

7.62 km

867 m

483 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Tuesday 6 October

14°C

8°C

88 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

July 5, 2022,Idle Valley Nature Reserve - Retford - Walk

Flat & easy stroll around the Southern half of the Idle Valley Nature Reserve. Formerly the site of gravel pits for the extraction of aggregates & gravel for Tarmac. Now fully restored and returned to nature, fantastic to see this huge piece of land given back to wildlife and protected from the massive housing developments I see in other areas.