Walking in London

Explore one of the world’s greenest cities on foot with 25 inspiring walks across London’s parks, woods, rivers, and wild open spaces. From the Royal Parks and Hampstead Heath to hidden marshes, forests, and nature reserves, London reveals itself as a city where nature thrives, offering walkers of all levels the chance to discover rare wildlife, local history, and tranquil escapes in both the heart of the capital and its outskirts.

Ideal for both beginners and experienced walkers, this comprehensive Cicerone guide features 25 routes ranging from 6 to 21km (4–14 miles), each designed to be completed in 2–6 hours. Whether you’re seeking a gentle stroll through leafy parks or a full-day adventure along rivers and heaths, these walks are easily reached by public transport and can be split into shorter sections, making them perfect for city dwellers and visitors alike.

• Experience the best of London’s open spaces, from iconic highlights like Hyde Park, Wimbledon Common, and Hampstead Heath to lesser-known gems such as Rainham Marshes in the east, Enfield Chase in the north, and the wild downlands on the city’s southern fringe.
• Enjoy year-round walking in London’s equable climate, with winters rarely too cold, summers comfortable, and spring and autumn bringing the city’s green spaces to life with blooming meadows in Richmond Park, colourful leaves in Epping Forest, and vibrant wetlands along the River Lea.
• Choose from 25 inspiring London walks, each with a 1:25,000 OS map extract, downloadable GPX files, route summary, start and finish points, estimated walking time, and detailed information on parking, public transport, refreshments, and local interest groups for each area, from the Olympic Park to Chislehurst.
• Discover London’s remarkable wildlife as each walk highlights a plant or animal species you might encounter along the way, from elusive water birds on Rainham Marshes to majestic stags in Bushy Park and ancient trees in Sydenham Hill Wood, with insights into the conservation and history of the capital’s wild spaces.
• Walks range from gentle riverside rambles along the Thames and urban park strolls through Regent’s Park to longer explorations of forests, heaths, and wetlands like Wimbledon Common and Wanstead Flats, offering accessible routes for occasional walkers and rewarding challenges for those seeking a full day out in London’s diverse landscapes.
• Explore over 600 miles of signed footpaths and countless informal trails across London, with break points and public transport options that let you enjoy each walk at your own pace or return another day to complete longer routes, discovering a new side of the city with every step.

Plan your London adventure with confidence and see the city from a new perspective, as a rich tapestry of habitats, teeming with wildlife and history. With the definitive Cicerone guidebook in hand, discover the green legacy of London and help ensure its wild spaces endure for generations to come.

Seasons

winters are rarely too cold, nor summers too hot. The transitional seasons of spring and autumn bring first a blooming of life and second the transformation of leaf.

Centres

all of these walks can be undertaken from a base within the Greater London area

Difficulty

all of these walks are within the range of most occasional walkers, though some routes can be linked together to give longer days for those who want them. Little specialist equipment is needed beyond comfortable footwear and clothing appropriate to the season.

Must See

woods and forests, parks and heaths, London's rivers - far more than just the Thames - and canals. Many of the walks pass by some of London's architectural jewels, while others delve so deep into countryside that it's difficult to believe you are still in London.

Map key

Route summary table

Introduction

The geology of London

London’s open spaces

When to go

Safety in London

Getting around London

Access

What to take

Maps

Using this guide

East: Essex to the Lea

Walk 1 Rainham Marshes and the lower Thames

Walk 2 Dagenham’s open spaces

Walk 3 Epping Forest from Chingford

Walk 4 Wanstead Flats and Park

Walk 5 Olympic Park and Greenway

Walk 6 River Lea

North: Lea to Brent

Walk 7 Enfield Chase

Walk 8 Regent’s Canal

Walk 9 New River and Parkland Walk

Walk 10 Royal Parks

Walk 11 Hampstead Heath

Walk 12 Dollis Valley Greenwalk

West: Brent to Wandle

Walk 13 Ruislip Woods

Walk 14 Yeading Brook

Walk 15 Crane Park

Walk 16 Bushy Park and Home Park

Walk 17 Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park

Walk 18 Kew and Isleworth

Walk 19 Wandle Trail

South: East of the Wandle

Walk 20 Happy Valley

Walk 21 Hills and woods of Croydon

Walk 22 Sydenham Hill Wood

Walk 23 Woodlands of south-east London

Walk 24 Chislehurst

Walk 25 Downe

Appendix A Long-distance paths in London

Appendix B Where to find out more