Map key
Overview map
Introduction
Lea Valley Walk
History of the valley
Heritage
Up and down the valley
London’s greenhouse
Wildlife
Backpacking the Walk
Day walking
An almost flat walk
Maps
Using this guide
The Lea Valley Walk
Section 1 Leagrave to Luton Airport Parkway
Section 2 Luton Airport Parkway to Harpenden
Section 3 Harpenden to Hatfield
Section 4 Hatfield to Hertford
Section 5 Hertford to Broxbourne
Section 6 Broxbourne to Enfield Island
Section 7 Enfield Island to Tottenham Lock
Section 8 Tottenham Lock to Three Mills
Section 9 Three Mills to East India Dock
Section 9A Three Mills to Limehouse Basin
The Olympic Park
Day Walk Tour of the Olympic Park
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Itinerary planner
Appendix C Further information
The route will appeal to walkers who are willing to sacrifice walking on natural surfaces (an estimated 70% is hard surfaces. either urban paths or tow paths) for town and village fascinating history, magnificent and quirky buildings, the residential canal communities and their wonderful narrow boat homes, a real feel as to how our waterways work, interact and greatly influence the local history and way of life, rich and diverse birdlife and lots of huge and small reservoirs.
There is a sense of a journey complete - from five small springs in some wasteland in north Luton to one of the Thames's most important tributaries at lime Basin Marina in London. Many iconic landmarks, seen from the route on nearing London, increased the excitement and sense of arrival.
Strider, the magazine of the Long-Distance Walkers Association
‘LONDON’S Lake District’ is a name that has been given to the Lea Valley Regional Park, one of the first of these designated areas. It stretches from Ware in Hertfordshire to the point on the River Thames in London at which the River Lea joins it after its journey from the village of Leagrave in Bedfordshire. The pleasurable sights to be enjoyed in this area of south-east England, much less well-known than its northern counterpart, can be more fully appreciated with the information provided by Leigh Hatts in this companion guide The Lea Valley Walk, the latest in the series produced by Cicerone Press, the specialist outdoor activity and exploration publishers.
Towpath Talk, Spring 2016