Milton Keynes Canal, River and Lakes Walk

7.6 miles (12.3 km)

This long circular walk around Milton Keynes takes visits Caldecotte Lake, the River Ouzel, the Grand Union Canal, and Willen Lake.
It's a great way of exploring the town on foot and visiting some of the most picturesque places. There's miles of good waterside footpaths and some lovely parkland to enjoy too.
Start the walk from the Caldecotte Lake car park where there's a miniature railway and trim trail. Follow the riverside trails north towards Simpson where you enter Ouzel Valley Park. Here you will find attractive plantations of Poplar Trees, lovely meadows and the remains of medieval villages with their associated fish ponds. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife including woodpeckers, kingfisher and little grebe.
The paths eventually lead you to Willen Lake. There's nice footpaths here leading around the south and north lake. Features include a�Peace Pagoda, a Buddhist Temple, Japanese gardens and bird hides where you can look out for the wading birds which visit the lake.
At Newlands you can follow a footpath to the Grand Union Canal in Campbell Park. Pick up the towpath and head south and you will return to Caldecotte Lake.

Milton Keynes Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

Milton Keynes Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

Milton Keynes OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Milton Keynes Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Milton Keynes

Emberton Country Park - Enjoy 200 acres of parkland and lakes in Milton Keynes on this short circular walk
North Bucks Way - This long distance walk through Buckinghamshire visits a number of pretty villages and takes you though the beautiful countryside of the Vale of Aylesbury
Milton Keynes Boundary Walk - Enjoy rivers, canals, woodland and beautiful countryside on this walk around the boundary of Milton Keynes
Linford Lakes - Enjoy a cycle or walk via country lanes around the pretty Linford Lakes area in the Ouse Valley, Milton Keynes
Furzton Lake - Enjoy a short cycle or walk around this pretty lake in Milton Keynes
Grafton Way - Follow the Grafton Way from Wolverton, Milton Keynes to Greens Norton in Northamptonshire
Willen Lake - Willen Lake is Milton Keynes most popular park with a super waterside cycling and walking path to enjoy
Caldecotte Lake - Enjoy and easy cycle or walk around this pretty lake in Milton Keynes
Ouse Valley Way - Follow the River Great Ouse from the source at Brackley, Northamptonshire, to the mouth at The Wash at King's Lynn
Midshires Way - This route follows public bridleways and quiet country lanes through Middle England, from Bledlow, near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, to Stockport in Greater Manchester
Aspley Woods - These 800 acre woods near Milton Keynes have some good mountain bike trails and miles of footpaths.
Howe Park Wood - These pretty bluebell woods in Milton Keynes have some nice shady trails, ponds and lots of wildlife to look out for
Cosgrove - This canalside Northamptonshire based village is a nice place to start a walk
Bletchley�Park - This walk explores the fascinating Bletchley�Park estate in the Buckinghamshire town of Bletchley.
Newport Pagnell - This Buckinghamshire based town is located on the eastern side of Milton Keynes

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

On the eastern side of the town there's Newport Pagnell to explore. There's some lovely riverside trails, a fine local park and several historic buildings to see in this neighbouring town. The town is well known for being the original home of the exclusive sports car manufacturer�Aston Martin. There's also a Grade I listed iron bridge dating from the early 19th century to see here.