Though London is a large metropolis and capital of the UK, there are many wonderful hikes close to London each inside and outdoors of town. From strolling alongside the South Financial institution to exploring the massive Royal Parks and close by mountaineering trails, there are hikes round London for all ranges of expertise.
I’ve completed loads of mountaineering in London together with on Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill, Parliament Hill Fields, and Epping Forest. The town makes an important base for exploring a few of the close by nationwide parks and areas of excellent pure magnificence such because the Malvern Hills and Kent Downs.
10 Greatest Hikes in London
After over 20 years of residing and touring round London, I’ve taken numerous hikes in and across the metropolis. I’ve accomplished many extra hikes than this in London, however I’ve narrowed down my favorites to this record of 10 based mostly on accessibility, ease, crowds, views alongside the best way, and general enjoyment on the path.
1. Hampstead Heath Round
Hampstead Heath is certainly one of my favourite locations for London mountaineering. Regardless of it being simply 4 miles (6.4 km) from Trafalgar Sq., it covers a whopping 800 acres of gorgeous countryside. Right here, you’ll discover a combination of landscapes from heathland to historic forests and rolling meadows.
I’ve been strolling and mountaineering on Hampstead Heath many instances because it’s really easy to get to from central London and feels such as you’re in the course of the English countryside, (there’s an wonderful pub close by too). The 4.5-mile Hampstead Heath Round is a really nice amble and takes round two hours.
For those who’re searching for simple hikes close to London this is a wonderful choice. It’s good for strolling and jogging, and canine are welcome as long as they’re on a lead. The path is open year-round however can get somewhat muddy in winter so pack wellies (Wellington boots) if it’s been raining earlier than you propose to go.
Path Particulars and Info
Location: Begin the path on the Parliament Hill Cafe (a 2-minute stroll from Gospel Oak overground or 10 minutes from Tufnell Park underground). Click on right here to see the path on AllTrails.
Getting There: Take the overground to Gospel Oak, or the tube to Tuffnell Park (Northern Line).
Size: 4.5 miles (7.2 km)
Period: 2 hours
Kind of Path: Circle
Elevation Achieve: 653 ft (199 meters)
2. South Financial institution of the Thames
One among my favourite simple hikes round London is alongside the South Financial institution of the Thames and I’ve taken this stroll extra instances than I can bear in mind. This isn’t a hike with countryside views, however as an alternative, you’ll be rewarded with views of one of the crucial iconic cityscapes on this planet.
The route takes in a few of London’s most well-known sights together with Tower Bridge, the HMS Belfast, Shakespear’s Globe Theater, and extra. The path begins on the Tower of London (I normally begin the stroll from Liverpool Road Station) and finishes on the Tate Fashionable (conveniently subsequent to the Founder’s Arms).
That is positively among the finest hikes round London if you wish to see a few of the well-known landmarks within the metropolis. Because the path is paved the entire method and takes simply over an hour, you don’t want to fret about mountaineering gear. Simply guarantee you’ve gotten a cushty pair of footwear, and a brolly (umbrella) in case it rains.
Path Particulars and Info
Location: The path begins on the Tower of London. Click on right here to see the route on AllTrails.
Getting There: The closest tube is Tower Hill (Circle and District Traces). It’s a ten-15 minute stroll from Liverpool Road Station.
Size: 3.1 miles (5 km)
Period: 1 hour and 18 minutes
Kind of Path: Out and Again
Elevation Achieve: 404 ft (123 meters)
3. Parkland Stroll (Finsbury Park to Alexandra Park)
That is one other hike I’ve completed a number of instances as I used to stay near Ally Pally (Alexandra Palace) in north London. This is among the finest mountaineering trails in London that takes you thru some stunning countryside alongside an outdated, disused railway line (together with an deserted platform).
The Parkland Stroll is a well-liked route for walkers, joggers, and cyclists because it’s comparatively flat. It’s additionally an important stroll for households as there’s some fascinating wall artwork and photos alongside the route in addition to a play space. There are many locations to cease for a picnic too, so choose up some provides to make a day of it.
The route winds up at Alexandra Park subsequent to the spectacular Alexandra Palace which is nicely value a go to alone. There’s a boating lake and a pleasing rose backyard, and the Phoenix Bar and Kitchen is a wonderful place for a pint with gorgeous views from its beer backyard.
Path Particulars and Info
Location: The path begins at Finsbury Park Station. Click on right here to see the route on AllTrails.
Getting There: Take the tube to Finsbury Park (Picadilly and Victoria strains).
Size: 4.1 miles (6.6 km)
Period: 1 hour and 37 minutes
Kind of Path: Level to Level
Elevation Achieve: 528 ft (191 meters)
4. Thames Path Nationwide Path (Hammersmith to Richmond)
Not like the path alongside the South Financial institution, this Thames mountaineering path takes you out of town and into semi-rural areas on the outskirts of London. I cycled the Thames Path Nationwide Path when biking from London to Bristol a number of years in the past and this a part of the Thames is completely stunning.
That is the place you permit the metropolis behind and as an alternative discover a slice of suburban Britain with canal boats and nation pubs on the river. It’s among the finest hikes close to London for its surroundings and is a simple trek due to its principally flat terrain. The route goes previous the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew which is among the high locations to go to in London.
Path Particulars and Info
Location: The path begins at Hammersmith Bridge. See the route on AllTrails.
Getting There: Take the tube to Hammersmith which is on the District and Picadilly strains. It’s a two-minute stroll to the bridge.
Size: 6.4 miles (10.3 km)
Period: 2 hours and 11 minutes
Kind of Path: Level to Level
Elevation Achieve: 360 ft (110 meters)
5. Epping Forest Oak Path
Epping Forest is situated simply outdoors of London in my house county of Essex. It covers an enormous space of two,400 hectares and incorporates a variety of landscapes and habitats from pastures to meadows, forests, and over 100 lakes and ponds. There are many mountaineering trails ranging in size and problem to select from.
Probably the greatest and most stunning of those is the Oak Path. This reasonably difficult route takes round three hours to finish, however I extremely advocate packing a picnic and making a complete day of it. That is certainly one of my favourite locations to go mountaineering close to London because it makes an important escape from town that’s inside simple attain.
Path Particulars and Info
Location: Epping Forest is 30 miles (48 km) northeast of London. The path begins at Theydon Boyce. See the route on AllTrails.
Getting There: Take the Central line to Theydon Boice (penultimate eastbound station).
Size: 6.7 miles (10.8 km)
Period: 2 hours and 48 minutes
Kind of Path: Round
Elevation Achieve: 850 ft (259 meters)
6. Regents Park to Primrose Hill
Regent’s Park is certainly one of London’s Royal Parks and is a superb place to flee town. This simple round stroll takes encompasses the attractive park and leads you thru tree-lined paths, by completely manicured gardens with colourful flowerbeds, and previous the massive boating lake the place you possibly can cease to take a ship out on the water.
You’ll go an open-air theater earlier than making your method as much as Primrose Hill for gorgeous panoramic views of town skyline. This a part of north London is typified by massive, Victorian homes, boutique retailers and artisan bakeries, cafes, and eating places and is certainly one of my favourite locations to hike in London.
Path Particulars and Info
Location: The path begins and ends on the bandstand in Regents Park. See the route on AllTrails.
Getting There: Baker Road Tube (Circle, Bakerloo, and Hammersmith & Metropolis strains) is only a two-minute stroll from the park.
Size: 4.2 miles (6.8 km)
Period: 1 hour and 36 minutes
Kind of Path: Round
Elevation Achieve: 380 ft (116 meters)
7. Chess Valley Stroll (Chiltern Hills AONB)
For extra hardcore hikers, the Chess Valley Stroll (it’s most positively a hike) is an 11-mile trek by the Chiltern Hills Space of Excellent Pure Beuty (AONB). This is among the most stunningly scenic elements of the nation that’s inside simple attain of the capital.
This point-to-point route will take you thru picturesque villages, alongside valleys, and throughout open farmland and rolling hills. You’ll have to be reasonably match to try this hike however you’ll be rewarded by stunning scenes of rural England. The path can get significantly muddy after rain, so finest pack wellies if it’s moist.
Path Particulars and Info
Location: The prepare begins at Rickmansworth railway station. See the route on AllTrails.
Getting There: There are a number of hourly trains from London’s Marylebone station and the journey time is simply 22 minutes. The route finishes in Chesham and there are tube trains again to London on the Metropolitan line.
Size: 11.4 miles (18.3 km)
Period: 4 hours and 44 minutes
Kind of Path: Level to Level
Elevation Achieve: 1,493 ft (455 meters)
8. Field Hill (Surry Hills AONB)
The Field Hil, Lodge Hill, and Juniper Hill Trails are located within the Surry Hills Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence lower than an hour by prepare from the capital, and make for a few of the finest mountaineering close to London. This space is famed for its sweeping countryside vistas and is the proper place for a day hike outdoors town.
The route is reasonably difficult and takes over 4 hours to finish, however it’s higher to take it simple and permit a complete day for the expertise. There are many wonderful locations for a picnic the place you possibly can cease to take pleasure in sweeping views of the Surry countryside and also you’ll go by historic woodland, open fields, and valleys.
There are some steep climbs so that you’ll have to be pretty match to deal with this hike, however it’s positively definitely worth the effort for the attractive views. If the climate isn’t conducive to picnics, otherwise you resolve to hike in winter, you possibly can heat your self up within the charming King William VI pub with its roaring log hearth.
Path Particulars and Info
Location: The path begins and ends simply outdoors the village of Pixham close to Dorking. See the route on AllTrails.
Getting There: Take the prepare from London Blackfriars to Dorking (Deepdene) through Redhill. The journey time is one hour.
Size: 7.4 miles (11.9 km)
Period: 4 hours and 4 minutes
Kind of Path: Round
Elevation Achieve: 1,818 ft (554 meters)
9. Otford Round (Kent Downs AONB)
This reasonably difficult hike takes within the stunning Kent Downs Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence (AONB) an hour southeast of London. Along with the attractive rolling hills, forests, and valleys, there are many fascinating issues to see alongside the best way together with the Otford Photo voltaic System; one of many largest mannequin photo voltaic programs on this planet.
This can be a improbable trek for extra skilled hikers; there are some steep climbs and elements of the path comply with nation roads, making it troublesome for households or freshmen. For those who go in spring you’ll be met with a sea of bluebells, however this time of 12 months is usually a fairly muddy so put on appropriate footwear.
This can be a sensible hike at any time of 12 months as the world receives a pleasant breeze in summer time, and in winter it appears to be like much more scenic below a layer of snow (make sure to pack a heat coat!). The route begins and finishes off very near The Woodman pub which is nicely value popping in for a refreshment and a few relaxation.
Path Particulars and Info
Location: The route begins and finishes on the Otford Memorial Corridor within the village of Otford, Kent. See the route on AllTrails.
Getting There: There are direct trains from London Blackfriars to Otford railway station and the journey time is one hour.
Size: 5.5 miles (8.9 km)
Period: 2 hours and 35 minutes
Kind of Path: Round
Elevation Achieve: 958 ft (292 meters)
10. Frinton to Walton Coast Path
Though there aren’t any waterfall hikes close to London, there are some wonderful coastal hikes inside an hour or two of the capital. The seashore at Frinton-on-Sea is among the nicest within the southeast of England and someplace I’ve spent a number of time (I swam there loads final summer time).
You may both stroll alongside the seashore or comply with the coast path on the high of the cliffs the 2 miles from Frinton to Walton-on-the-Naze the place my household used to personal a seashore hut. The cliffs across the Naze are spectacular and you may see proof of various geological durations right here.
Frinton is simply 90 minutes by prepare from London and makes an ideal day journey to the coast, that means summer time is the very best time to deal with this hike when you just like the concepts of ending off with cooling sea dip. Take the entire household and take a look at the amusement on Walton Pier earlier than leaping on a prepare again to the capital.
Path Particulars and Info
Location: Frinton is situated on the east coast of England within the county of Essex. Click on right here for instructions.
Getting There: There are hourly trains from London Liverpool Road station to Frinton-on-Sea. The coast path and seashore are a ten-minute stroll from the station.
Size: 2 miles (3.2 km)
Period: 1 hour
Kind of Path Out and Again
Ideas for Mountaineering Round London
Under, you’ll discover some helpful ideas that can assist you get essentially the most out of those London treks:
- At all times convey waterproofs: England is famed for its moist climate, so it’s finest to be ready and pack a water-resistant jacket. Some trails could be very muddy after rain so Wellington boots are beneficial if hitting the mountaineering trails close to London.
- Use public transport: Most of the finest hikes in London begin in or across the metropolis so it’s finest to not convey a automobile (to keep away from parking issues, congestion expenses and so forth). As a substitute, make use of London’s wonderful public transport. Most of the trails begin close to an underground station so are simple to get to.
- Hike in spring or fall: To get the very best out of trekking London keep away from the summer time as the paths can develop into very busy, and the climate is usually too sizzling for it to be gratifying. Spring and fall are the proper instances because the climate isn’t too sizzling or chilly and the paths aren’t overrun.
- Hike throughout sunlight hours: Though mountaineering in London could be very secure, make sure you plan your route so that you simply don’t find yourself mountaineering after darkish (which is widespread sense wherever). Persist with the paths and don’t wander away into areas you’re unfamiliar with.
- Obtain a map: I take advantage of Maps.ME which doesn’t require an web connection or knowledge because it makes use of real-time GPS. You can even obtain a mountaineering app similar to AllTrails which options most of the routes and useful particulars of easy methods to get to trailheads and so forth.
Mountaineering in London: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions on mountaineering round London:
The Hampstead Heath Round Stroll is among the hottest hikes close to London because it affords some gorgeous countryside environment only a brief tube experience from the middle of town. That is additionally certainly one of my favourite London strolling trails and one I’ve completed many instances.
The South Financial institution is among the best hikes round London because it’s flat and paved the complete method. This is a wonderful approach to see a few of the high sights within the metropolis because it follows the Thames from the Tower of London to the Tate Fashionable.
There are some small artifical waterfalls in a few of the London parks similar to Regent’s Park, St James’ Park, and Holland Park, however to see bigger, pure falls you’ll want to move away from town to Scotland or Wales.
What it’s best to put on when mountaineering round London relies on the time of 12 months you go. In summer time, you’ll need to pack mild as summers within the metropolis could be sizzling (convey swimming wear if going to Hampstead Heath). In winter you’ll need to wrap up with layers, and in spring and fall you’ll need to have a mix of layers. It’s a good suggestion to take waterproofs at any time of 12 months.
The Epping Forest Oak Path is among the most stunning trails close to London (and in my house county of Essex). Discover historic woodland and stroll amongst over 100 lakes and ponds on this attractive forest park.
Mountaineering round London isn’t harmful when you keep on with acknowledged paths and hike throughout sunlight hours. These London trails are widespread and busy areas with loads of individuals round at most instances. Take the identical precautions you’ll wherever and don’t flash invaluable tools round. Taking a digital camera is ok, however hold it safe in a bag when not utilizing it.
In Closing
Now you understand about the very best mountaineering in London and the encircling areas, which one will you select first? I’ve completed many of those hikes numerous instances and at all times take pleasure in getting out into elements of town which are away from the principle vacationer traps. From simple metropolis walks to London day-hikes in gorgeous countryside, there’s one thing for everybody.
With so many wonderful hikes close to London, there’s no excuse to not get outdoors and soak up some recent air (and cease by one or two pubs alongside the best way). So, mud off these mountaineering footwear, pack some sandwiches, and have a go at certainly one of these strolling trails in London.
