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 Finally Finishing the Viking Way! on Facebook Share Finally Finishing the Viking Way! on X (formerly Twitter) Share Finally Finishing the Viking Way! on Linkedin Email Finally Finishing the Viking Way! link

    Finally Finishing the Viking Way!

    by Richard.Watts, about 3 hours ago

    I first started walking the Viking Way in mid 2020, after the covid lockdown restrictions were eased. Having walked a number of long-distance trails in my youth (Hadrian's Wall, the Dales Way, etc.), lockdown had made me want to get out and start a new challenge, and what better than the Viking Way!

    Starting at the Humber Bridge, the route winds its way across Lincolnshire, passing through wonderful scenery, with fascinating historic features and archaeological sites along the route. There are often lovely nature reserves and great wildlife sights along the way, and each stage gives different experiences.

    Between moving... Continue reading

    I first started walking the Viking Way in mid 2020, after the covid lockdown restrictions were eased. Having walked a number of long-distance trails in my youth (Hadrian's Wall, the Dales Way, etc.), lockdown had made me want to get out and start a new challenge, and what better than the Viking Way!

    Starting at the Humber Bridge, the route winds its way across Lincolnshire, passing through wonderful scenery, with fascinating historic features and archaeological sites along the route. There are often lovely nature reserves and great wildlife sights along the way, and each stage gives different experiences.

    Between moving house and caring for family members, I've rarely had much spare time to walk on the route, but have thoroughly enjoyed each day I had. Prompted in large part by this year being the 50th anniversary of the route's creation, I've managed to push on and am very happy to say I crossed the finish line at Oakham earlier this month. It's been challenging, but hugely rewarding, and has given me a chance to see so many hidden gems of Lincolnshire that are often missed. I'd absolutely recommend other people to walk the route, either in full if you can manage it, or just by doing the odd part of it here and there - it's always very rewarding. Many thanks to all the wonderful people who look after the route, and to all the kind people I met along the way!


  • Share Viking Way on Facebook Share Viking Way on X (formerly Twitter) Share Viking Way on Linkedin Email Viking Way link

    Viking Way

    by Sally1980, 17 days ago

    Started 12th july an completed 24th September. Walked it with my best mate dinks, did it on our days off. Took 11 days in total. Been brilliant, fantastic weather, pub meals. Lincolnshire is truly beautiful 😍.

    Enjoy

    Sal & Dinks

    Started 12th july an completed 24th September. Walked it with my best mate dinks, did it on our days off. Took 11 days in total. Been brilliant, fantastic weather, pub meals. Lincolnshire is truly beautiful 😍.

    Enjoy

    Sal & Dinks

  • Share Viking Way in 13 stages on Facebook Share Viking Way in 13 stages on X (formerly Twitter) Share Viking Way in 13 stages on Linkedin Email Viking Way in 13 stages link

    Viking Way in 13 stages

    by farrn, about 2 months ago

    Between April 2014 and November 2015 I walked the Viking Way in stages with my partner and various friends, all of whom live in and around Lincoln. Having lived in Lincoln since 1999, I'd enjoyed many walks in the area, particularly in the Wolds, and was feeling in need of something new to encourage me to keep on getting out there. The Viking Way provided this.

    I decided to do the walk from south to north, reckoning that would mean the sun was in our eyes less - though this did make following the information in the book I'd bought... Continue reading

    Between April 2014 and November 2015 I walked the Viking Way in stages with my partner and various friends, all of whom live in and around Lincoln. Having lived in Lincoln since 1999, I'd enjoyed many walks in the area, particularly in the Wolds, and was feeling in need of something new to encourage me to keep on getting out there. The Viking Way provided this.

    I decided to do the walk from south to north, reckoning that would mean the sun was in our eyes less - though this did make following the information in the book I'd bought more difficult! I emailed a few friends and quite a few were interested in joining us at some point when they were free; one was particularly keen and committed to making all the legs. So roughly once a month I fixed a date, worked out a suitable stretch for us, considering distance and parking places, and emailed around. Working out how many cars we needed, depending on numbers and whether some ferrying would be acceptable, was sometimes challenging! Then we met up and walked - and talked - enjoyed the (Rutland and Leicestershire and) Lincolnshire countryside and villages - and visited an array of tea shops and pubs. I let the way most of the time - a new challenge for me. I'm fairly sure it was paper maps only in those days - I'd yet to get the OS maps app.

    I completed a table recording all the walks, which I still have. We ended up doing 13 stages of between 9 and 14 miles, finishing on a November day when my notes say 'the forecast was for a lot of rain, so when we only got grey skies and some light drizzle, we were pretty pleased'! Overall 16 people plus two dogs took part, and three of us completed all the stages. I think we all remember it fondly.


  • Share LWAC running the Viking Way in 2011 on Facebook Share LWAC running the Viking Way in 2011 on X (formerly Twitter) Share LWAC running the Viking Way in 2011 on Linkedin Email LWAC running the Viking Way in 2011 link

    LWAC running the Viking Way in 2011

    by Gary F, 3 months ago

    A group from the road running section of the Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club wanted to add a bit of diversity to our runs through Lincoln, and I married this up to the idea that I would really like to run the whole length of the Viking Way. After some discussions whilst jogging around Lincoln, we decided that we could split the route into twelve sections and run a section each month of the year. At each section we would arrive at the start, usually a pub with the landlords permission, and then work out the logistics of some driving to... Continue reading

    A group from the road running section of the Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club wanted to add a bit of diversity to our runs through Lincoln, and I married this up to the idea that I would really like to run the whole length of the Viking Way. After some discussions whilst jogging around Lincoln, we decided that we could split the route into twelve sections and run a section each month of the year. At each section we would arrive at the start, usually a pub with the landlords permission, and then work out the logistics of some driving to the days finishing point, leaving enough cars to transport everybody back to the start of each leg. These drivers would then be driven back to the start and off we would go! After finishing and getting back to the start we would all enjoy a well earned drink and a bite to eat! The weather was incredibly kind to us for the whole year, indeed, the only rain we got was on the July run when the pleasant short shower cooled us down nicely! I remember the celebratory meal we had in Oakham, after we arrived at the finish line, with a great sense of accomplishment.

    It was wonderful to enjoy the countryside with a great bunch of running comrades, with support and encouragement, rather than competition, and we even bought running tee-shirts to commemorate our achievement. For me, 2011 will always be remembered for the year we ran the Viking Way!

  • Share Cadney to the Cathedral - following the Viking Way Day 1 on Facebook Share Cadney to the Cathedral - following the Viking Way Day 1 on X (formerly Twitter) Share Cadney to the Cathedral - following the Viking Way Day 1 on Linkedin Email Cadney to the Cathedral - following the Viking Way Day 1 link

    Cadney to the Cathedral - following the Viking Way Day 1

    by Debbie C, 3 months ago

    #CadneytotheCathedral

    Day 1 of 7. Sunday 26th July.

    I started today by walking from Howsham to Cadney with my husband and Buddy the dog, to start the walk at Cadney church properly.

    A few people came along to see us off and start the walk with us, someone took the photo outside the church for us, and we were off. Terry, Graham, Gwen, my husband John and Buddy came back to Howsham with us.

    In Howsham we were joined by Deb, Julia, and already had my sister Mandy with us from the start. Us four ladies then carried on... Continue reading

    #CadneytotheCathedral

    Day 1 of 7. Sunday 26th July.

    I started today by walking from Howsham to Cadney with my husband and Buddy the dog, to start the walk at Cadney church properly.

    A few people came along to see us off and start the walk with us, someone took the photo outside the church for us, and we were off. Terry, Graham, Gwen, my husband John and Buddy came back to Howsham with us.

    In Howsham we were joined by Deb, Julia, and already had my sister Mandy with us from the start. Us four ladies then carried on, the walk together.

    We carried on through Howsham, down the lane to Searby, where we popped in Church no. 2. (Cadney being Church no. 1). The door was unlocked, and we went in to have a look inside. I signed the visitors book, and then we did our photo outside to show we’d been.

    Off tarmac and on through the fields, and our first sight of a Viking Way signpost. When there was an opening between the hedges, you can look across the fields back to Howsham and further afield, you can see for miles. Through a short wooded path, then along side a sheep field. At the end of that path, it is onto Grasby, we stopped to look where Lincoln Cathedral is on the horizon, and you can clearly see the ‘golf ball’ at Normanby Top, I’ll be walking past there tomorrow.

    We stopped at Church no. 3, Grasby Church, the door was locked, so I couldn’t write in the visitor book, but we got another photo. Through Grasby looking out for a house our great aunt used to live in. Then a short walk and we reached Clixby. A school friend used to live at Clixby, we had just been talking about her, and she happened to be there. A quick hug and a catch up, then we popped into Church no. 4 Clixby Church. What a lovely little church, I signed the visitor book, got another photo, and off we went again.

    Across fields and beautiful landscapes onwards towards Caistor, just outside Caistor is the steepest bit as you go through Water Hills, but what a lovely bit it is. Emerging from Water Hills, onto North Street and through the alley onto Brigg Road, we crossed the road, and headed to Caistor Church, our final church, and no. 5. We were about to pop in, when someone mouthed to us, there is a baptism going on!

    We waited outside, until the baptism congregation emerged wondering why us ladies were all waiting outside. I went in, signed the visitors book again, and met the vicar, Revd Bob Frew, who had a photo with me at the church door.

    It should have been 9 miles today, because I walked to Cadney first, I have done 11 miles today.

    The Viking Way post markers and sign posts were great, I had great company and thoroughly enjoyed it, if all the rest of the week is as lovely as this one, I can’t wait for the rest of the week.

  • Share Photos of the Viking Way on Facebook Share Photos of the Viking Way on X (formerly Twitter) Share Photos of the Viking Way on Linkedin Email Photos of the Viking Way link

    Photos of the Viking Way

    by Chris R, 5 months ago







  • Share Dog walking on Facebook Share Dog walking on X (formerly Twitter) Share Dog walking on Linkedin Email Dog walking link

    Dog walking

    by Daveypp, 5 months 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 X (formerly Twitter) Share The Viking Way on Linkedin Email The Viking Way link

    The Viking Way

    by Matt Vinter, 5 months 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 20 Miles of the viking way on Facebook Share 20 Miles of the viking way on X (formerly Twitter) Share 20 Miles of the viking way on Linkedin Email 20 Miles of the viking way link

    20 Miles of the viking way

    by Ronmonger, 6 months ago
    From Caistor to Goulceby <
    From Caistor to Goulceby <
  • Share My favourite part of the Viking Way..... on Facebook Share My favourite part of the Viking Way..... on X (formerly Twitter) Share My favourite part of the Viking Way..... on Linkedin Email My favourite part of the Viking Way..... link

    My favourite part of the Viking Way.....

    7 months ago
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Page last updated: 26 Oct 2026, 09:45 AM