50 years of the Viking Way (1976 – 2026)

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Viking Way walking route

The Viking Way is a 149 mile walking route through Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Rutland. It opened in 1976 and its name reflects the influence of Norse settlers in the east of Britain.

The route starts on the banks of the Humber. It then passes through rural Lincolnshire, market towns, the city of Lincoln and a series of villages. It follows an ancient trackway before reaching Oakham in Rutland.

You will see the Viking helmet symbol on yellow discs along the route.

Walking the Viking Way is a great way to enjoy the varied and beautiful Lincolnshire landscape.

For maps, routes and insider tips, click the link Viking Way - Visit Lincolnshire

Share your stories and photos

We'd love to hear from you if you have walked the Viking Way over the recent bank holiday or any time in the past 50 years.

If your photograph includes people who can be identified, you'll need to complete a photo consent form. The form opens in a new window.

More information about how we'll use the images is available on the Stories page.

Stay updated

Use the Follow project button to receive updates about events and other news. We hope you will get involved in this special year.

Viking Way walking route

The Viking Way is a 149 mile walking route through Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Rutland. It opened in 1976 and its name reflects the influence of Norse settlers in the east of Britain.

The route starts on the banks of the Humber. It then passes through rural Lincolnshire, market towns, the city of Lincoln and a series of villages. It follows an ancient trackway before reaching Oakham in Rutland.

You will see the Viking helmet symbol on yellow discs along the route.

Walking the Viking Way is a great way to enjoy the varied and beautiful Lincolnshire landscape.

For maps, routes and insider tips, click the link Viking Way - Visit Lincolnshire

Share your stories and photos

We'd love to hear from you if you have walked the Viking Way over the recent bank holiday or any time in the past 50 years.

If your photograph includes people who can be identified, you'll need to complete a photo consent form. The form opens in a new window.

More information about how we'll use the images is available on the Stories page.

Stay updated

Use the Follow project button to receive updates about events and other news. We hope you will get involved in this special year.

Your Viking Way at 50 memories

We would love to hear about your time on the Viking Way. You can share memories, stories and photographs from any point since the route opened in 1976.

Sharing your image

If you want to share an image that shows you, or anyone else, please:

  • complete the photography consent form on our website. We will not publish your image without receiving a completed copy of the form
  • when you complete the form, please put ‘Viking Way’ in the description box so that we can easily identify images that are relevant to this project
  • if you are happy for us to publish your image on the Lets talk Lincolnshire platform, when completing the form please select the following option ‘Lincolnshire County Council’s website and social media channels’

Remember!

Before you upload anything, please remember:

  • only submit images you are confident are appropriate for sharing. 
  • please consider others who may be included in the image. If you are unsure whether another person included in the image would be happy for the image to be shared, whether they expect privacy, or if the content might be sensitive, it’s best not to submit it
  • everything you post can be seen by anyone visiting this page, including your stories, photographs and videos
  • your username and comment(s) will also be visible. if you are a registered user and think your username might identify you, you can change it in the My account section of your profile

How we use your images

The image you provide will be used for the purpose of the Viking Way project. 

We may contact you if we would like to use your image in promotional materials beyond this Let’s talk Lincolnshire project page. We will use the contact details that you provided to us for the Viking Way project to do this.

For more details on how we handle your data, see our privacy notice.

Withdrawing your consent

You can withdraw your consent at any time by contacting photoconsent@lincolnshire.gov.uk. For more information about how we use your data, please read the Communications privacy notice on the Lincolnshire County Council website.


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  • Share Photos of the Viking Way on Facebook Share Photos of the Viking Way on Twitter Share Photos of the Viking Way on Linkedin Email Photos of the Viking Way link

    Photos of the Viking Way

    by Chris R, 12 days ago







  • Share Dog walking on Facebook Share Dog walking on Twitter Share Dog walking on Linkedin Email Dog walking link

    Dog walking

    by Daveypp, 21 days ago

    Am trying to complete the viking way in stages ,me and the dogs have done many different stretchs,one of the favourites is of course tealby to Normanby le wold and back

    Am trying to complete the viking way in stages ,me and the dogs have done many different stretchs,one of the favourites is of course tealby to Normanby le wold and back

  • Share The Viking Way on Facebook Share The Viking Way on Twitter Share The Viking Way on Linkedin Email The Viking Way link

    The Viking Way

    by Matt Vinter, 25 days ago

    I recently walked the entirety of the way, wild camping with my dog Scout, and had an amazing experience. We met so many lovely people on the journey, hopefully some will see this so I can thank them for their time chatting. Also big thanks due to the many pubs I ate in along the way - all the food was fab and filling for a hungry viking explorer! The countryside and feeling of being part of nature was trully something I won't forget. I genuinely discovered a love of Lincolnshire I never knew I had!

    I recently walked the entirety of the way, wild camping with my dog Scout, and had an amazing experience. We met so many lovely people on the journey, hopefully some will see this so I can thank them for their time chatting. Also big thanks due to the many pubs I ate in along the way - all the food was fab and filling for a hungry viking explorer! The countryside and feeling of being part of nature was trully something I won't forget. I genuinely discovered a love of Lincolnshire I never knew I had!

  • Share Lovely places to go back to. on Facebook Share Lovely places to go back to. on Twitter Share Lovely places to go back to. on Linkedin Email Lovely places to go back to. link

    Lovely places to go back to.

    by ChasT, 2 months ago
    Four of us walked the whole of the Viking Way from Barton to Oakham in bite-sized sections over 17 days between 2008 and 2012.<
    Four of us walked the whole of the Viking Way from Barton to Oakham in bite-sized sections over 17 days between 2008 and 2012.<
  • Share Always near the Viking Way on Facebook Share Always near the Viking Way on Twitter Share Always near the Viking Way on Linkedin Email Always near the Viking Way link

    Always near the Viking Way

    by kate public, 2 months ago


    I’ve lived in a few different parts of the county over the years. Each place has been a bit different, but there’s been one constant: I’ve always lived close to the Viking Way.


    Having it nearby has mattered more than I probably realised. It’s been an easy place to go for a walk after work or a cycle at the weekend, without having to plan much or go far. Just being able to step outside and get into open countryside has helped me switch off and clear my head.


    I genuinely value having that everyday access to nature — it’s... Continue reading


    I’ve lived in a few different parts of the county over the years. Each place has been a bit different, but there’s been one constant: I’ve always lived close to the Viking Way.


    Having it nearby has mattered more than I probably realised. It’s been an easy place to go for a walk after work or a cycle at the weekend, without having to plan much or go far. Just being able to step outside and get into open countryside has helped me switch off and clear my head.


    I genuinely value having that everyday access to nature — it’s something I don’t take for granted and would really miss if it wasn’t there.


    Wherever I’ve lived, being near the Viking Way has helped me feel grounded and connected to where I am.

  • Share A story from 'The three must have beers...' on Facebook Share A story from 'The three must have beers...' on Twitter Share A story from 'The three must have beers...' on Linkedin Email A story from 'The three must have beers...' link

    A story from 'The three must have beers...'

    2 months ago

    On 23rd March, 2020, during the Covid outbreak, we went for a walk on the Viking Way, passing through Nettleton Valley & Normanby le Wold.

    We walked at a distance from each other and sat down at Normanby, for a packed lunch. We admired the view, and wondered what was to come in that uncertain time.

    The first lockdown was announced, starting at 18.00 that evening.

    We all survived and had that fantastic view to keep in mind through the times ahead. Had another walk round today, but the view wasn't as clear as that imprinted on our memories.

    On 23rd March, 2020, during the Covid outbreak, we went for a walk on the Viking Way, passing through Nettleton Valley & Normanby le Wold.

    We walked at a distance from each other and sat down at Normanby, for a packed lunch. We admired the view, and wondered what was to come in that uncertain time.

    The first lockdown was announced, starting at 18.00 that evening.

    We all survived and had that fantastic view to keep in mind through the times ahead. Had another walk round today, but the view wasn't as clear as that imprinted on our memories.

  • Share 50 Years of walking The Viking Way on Facebook Share 50 Years of walking The Viking Way on Twitter Share 50 Years of walking The Viking Way on Linkedin Email 50 Years of walking The Viking Way link

    50 Years of walking The Viking Way

    by Paul Hiley, 2 months ago

    We arrived in Lincolnshire (Claxby) in 1975 just one year before The Viking Way. I was 28 and always a keen walker and runner. Working at the local comprehensive school, I became concerned to see how little local students knew about their own environment; most had never heard of The Viking Way. I ran a cross country club at the school and one day I had the idea of organising a relay race along The Viking Way from Caistor to Tealby. Thus was born The Viking Challenge Relay. At its peak it attracted more than12 schools(60 plus athletes) with some... Continue reading

    We arrived in Lincolnshire (Claxby) in 1975 just one year before The Viking Way. I was 28 and always a keen walker and runner. Working at the local comprehensive school, I became concerned to see how little local students knew about their own environment; most had never heard of The Viking Way. I ran a cross country club at the school and one day I had the idea of organising a relay race along The Viking Way from Caistor to Tealby. Thus was born The Viking Challenge Relay. At its peak it attracted more than12 schools(60 plus athletes) with some schools submitting two teams. Later a girls' race was organised. We ran the event in March (sometimes in snow!) and on one occasion in thick mist. A fleet of volunteer timekeepers tracked each stage and records were kept of the times for each leg. First years(11 year olds) competed in the first leg (about 1 mile from Caistor to Nettleton) and handed over to Fourth Years(14 year olds) up the gruelling climb to Mottley Brant's Farm. Third years ran to Normanby Church and second years sprinted down hill to Walesby. The final stage was the undulating stretch from Walesby to Tealby. Every stage had a "hare" (sometimes it was me!) but we did once have a runner who got straight on his team bus without handing onto to his waiting team mate! It was overall an exciting and challenging event.

  • Share My walk along the Viking Way (on behalf of Malcolm) on Facebook Share My walk along the Viking Way (on behalf of Malcolm) on Twitter Share My walk along the Viking Way (on behalf of Malcolm) on Linkedin Email My walk along the Viking Way (on behalf of Malcolm) link

    My walk along the Viking Way (on behalf of Malcolm)

    3 months ago

    In 2018 I lost my Chocolate Labrador, Denver. I struggled deeply with his loss, and over the following year my grief became overwhelming. At 58, I felt as though my life had come to a halt. Denver and I had spent many years walking in the Wolds, so in June 2019 I decided to walk the entire Viking Way over 12 consecutive days—coinciding with Storm Miguel hitting the UK.

    Although the guidebook listed the route as 147 miles, the journey ended up being 165 miles due to getting lost at times and staying overnight off the trail. Completing the walk... Continue reading

    In 2018 I lost my Chocolate Labrador, Denver. I struggled deeply with his loss, and over the following year my grief became overwhelming. At 58, I felt as though my life had come to a halt. Denver and I had spent many years walking in the Wolds, so in June 2019 I decided to walk the entire Viking Way over 12 consecutive days—coinciding with Storm Miguel hitting the UK.

    Although the guidebook listed the route as 147 miles, the journey ended up being 165 miles due to getting lost at times and staying overnight off the trail. Completing the walk became a turning point for me. It helped me begin to come to terms with losing Denver, and I carried his collar in my backpack the whole way.

    A section in Long Bennington is now officially included in the online guidebook and has been named Denver’s Field by the landowner. This thoughtful gesture brings me tremendous comfort.

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    Viking Way adventure

    by Bill Millar, 3 months ago

    I walked the full length Viking Way in the summer of 1998 following the waymarks and map reading. It took me around 10 days. I stayed in Bed and Breakfast places en-route my partner (now my wife) met me at some of the stopping stages. It was a fantastic experience meeting lots of different people including school children on an organised walk, motorcycle enthusiasts who were going to ride around Cadwell park, and the Belvoir hunt exercising their hounds on the Belvoir Castle to RAF Cottesmore section. I dipped my toe in the Humber at the start of the walk... Continue reading

    I walked the full length Viking Way in the summer of 1998 following the waymarks and map reading. It took me around 10 days. I stayed in Bed and Breakfast places en-route my partner (now my wife) met me at some of the stopping stages. It was a fantastic experience meeting lots of different people including school children on an organised walk, motorcycle enthusiasts who were going to ride around Cadwell park, and the Belvoir hunt exercising their hounds on the Belvoir Castle to RAF Cottesmore section. I dipped my toe in the Humber at the start of the walk and again in Rutland water before walking into Oakham and finishing at the library, where my wife Odette was waiting. I raised nearly £500 for charity. It was a fantastic experience which took me completely out of my comfort zone

  • Share Viking Way memory from 1977 on Facebook Share Viking Way memory from 1977 on Twitter Share Viking Way memory from 1977 on Linkedin Email Viking Way memory from 1977 link

    Viking Way memory from 1977

    by Dave Wheels, 3 months ago

    As a new Police Cadet, I was part of a team that entered a 'uniformed services' challenge to mark the opening of the southern section in 1977.The below article and photo taken from the Lincolnshire Police 'ALERT' magazine.

    As a new Police Cadet, I was part of a team that entered a 'uniformed services' challenge to mark the opening of the southern section in 1977.The below article and photo taken from the Lincolnshire Police 'ALERT' magazine.

Page last updated: 03 Jun 2026, 04:29 PM