Rutland is the ideal place for outdoor activities with so many to chose from it’s hard to know where to start.
Rutland is the ideal place to visit if you are a keen walker- with over 50 villages, one for each week of the year, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to trails. Our 7 Rutland Heritage Trails are incredibly popular and provide both walking and cycling routes. These routes are circular so perfect for exploring our beautiful countryside, quaint villages and the occasional pub before heading back to the car.
Keen cyclists will also find plenty to interest them in our small county, with two longer routes of 24 miles- The Northern Route and 23.7 miles The Southern Route to explore. There is also the option to enjoy the mainly off road circular route at Rutland Water. You can bring your own bike of if you prefer Cycle hire is available from Whitwell.
One of the most popular place to hire bikes, electric bikes and useful accessories including dog trailers, child seats and buggies is Specialized Rutland Water Whitwell. Specialized offer a fantastic range of cycle hire options for all the family, which includes their high-quality range of electric bikes and is handily located on the Rutland Water cycle track.
With cycling aroundRutland being one of the best ways to experience this beautiful area of the UK, local businesses throughout the county have e-bikes for hire.This fleet of e-bikes bring a whole new level of freedom to exploring Rutland with battery-assisted pedalling, you can effortlessly glide up gentle inclines, cover longer distances and enjoy longer days out and about.
Rutland Watersports Centre is a great hub for outdoor activities with sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing andstand-up paddle boarding to name a few. You can eitherhire the equipment in an activity session or book professional tuition. Canoes, kayaks, SUP’s, katakanus and row boats are all hired on a first come first served basis from the Watersports Centre at Whitwell. You can also hire sailing boats and windsurfing equipment but 24hrs pre-booking is required and you can book directly on the phone. Keen sailors also have the option to bring their own equipment to use with a launch permit.Look out for the Rutland Belle, which you may spot taking visitors on tours across the water from April until the end of October.
Rutland Water also offers some of the best fishing in the region, if not the UK, and is paradise for anglers. The reservoir not only attracts leisure anglers but also plays host to some top level competitions attracting discerning anglers from far and wide.Fishing novices need not worry though – fly-fishing tuition is available from friendly guides at Rutland Water Fishing Lodge.
With so much to do on the water, Running at Rutland Water has become increasingly popular, so it’s no wonder there are many sporting events held here, from triathlons to night walks.There is a weekly parkrun at Rutland Water every Saturday at 9am starting at Normanton Church. Parkrunners can register for free via the parkrun UK website. The parkrun attracts all ages and abilities who walk, jog or run the 3 miles, from babies in buggies to Nordic walkers, there is also provision for all abilities – and everyone is encouraged back to the restaurant for a drink and a chat afterwards. Junior parkrun happens every Sunday, also at Normanton at 9am, but a shorter distance of 2km and lots more cheering!
If you are looking for a weekend of thrills in the great outdoors- Rutland is anoasisforadventure enthusiasts.
