From Norton Junction , where the main line of the Grand Union Canal turns west , to its junction with the River Trent, the Grand Union Leicester Line covers just over 66 miles, with 59 locks, and the River Soar constitutes the canal from the outskirts of Leicester to the Trent. There were several waterways that formed the navigation in Leicestershire and they were brought together by the Grand Union Canal Company to form a through route from the Trent to London.

From Norton Junction, the canal runs close to the M1 and the mainline railway to Watford Locks and passes under the motorway and on to Crick Tunnel, 1528 yards long. The canal follows a winding route past Yelvertoft through open countryside and passes the short Welford Arm continuing through an unpopulated area to Foxton where there are two sets of five staircase locks. This was also the site of the inclined plane and there is a visitor centre and a museum here.

Just past the locks is the 5.5  mile arm into Market Harborough while the canal continues North towards Leicester skirting round its suburbs to the West. As with all built-up areas some care should be taken if you plan to moor here. At Aylestone, the canal meets the River Soar and continues North towards Loughborough - an opportunity to do some exploring and stock up - and onwards to the Trent.