The East Midlands Airport perimeter trail continues to provide a free outdoor route for dog walkers, plane spotters and anyone looking for a relatively easy, flat walk.
The popular six-mile circular trail follows the airport’s outer boundary and offers several viewpoints from which visitors can watch aircraft taking off and landing.
Combining aviation views with quieter stretches of countryside, the route passes through local woodland, open meadows and historic country lanes.
In late 2025, the trail received £60,000 of improvements to mark East Midlands Airport’s 60th anniversary. The work included upgraded paths, new directional fingerposts and nine detailed information boards exploring the area’s wildlife and history.
Made up of grass, paved tracks, packed earth and gravel, the full route generally takes between two-and-a-half and three hours to complete at a leisurely pace.
Five locally designed sculptures are positioned around the perimeter as part of the Art on the Trail project. They include the Dog Tooth Violet Seed, Valentines Tree and Sky Ladder.
There are also several designated plane-spotting clearings directly beside the airport fence. At some points, visitors can stand almost underneath aircraft making their final approach to the runway.
Hemington Crest provides clear views of the airport’s 51-metre-high air traffic control tower, wind turbines and active aprons.
The East Midlands Aeropark, an aviation museum located beside the trail, can be used as a starting or finishing point for the walk. Its collection includes historic aircraft such as the Vulcan and Nimrod, while raised viewing areas provide further opportunities to watch activity at the airport.
The route also highlights the wildlife habitats surrounding the site. Thousands of native trees, including oak and dogwood, have been planted by the airport to support species such as kestrels, skylarks and bats. A new hedgerow was also created as part of the anniversary improvements.
A limited amount of free public parking is available at the East Midlands Airport Picnic and Viewpoint Area, close to the East Midlands Gateway entrance off the A453. Visitors can alternatively park at the East Midlands Aeropark for a small charge.
Frequent Skylink bus services also stop at several points where passengers can join the perimeter trail, including near the picnic area and Aeropark.
Visitors can bring their own food and drink to enjoy at the picnic site at the eastern end of the runway. A newly opened café at the Aeropark serves snacks and drinks, while the Nag’s Head in Castle Donington and The Plough Inn in Diseworth are also close to the route on opposite sides of the airport.
