Though London is a large metropolis and capital of the UK, there are many glorious hikes close to London each inside and outdoors of the town. From strolling alongside the South Financial institution to exploring the massive Royal Parks and close by mountain climbing trails, there are hikes round London for all ranges of expertise.
I’ve executed loads of mountain climbing in London together with on Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill, Parliament Hill Fields, and Epping Forest. The town makes a terrific base for exploring among 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 listing of 10 based mostly on accessibility, ease, crowds, views alongside the way in which, and general enjoyment on the path.
1. Hampstead Heath Round
Hampstead Heath is one among my favourite locations for London mountain climbing. 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 mountain climbing 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 glorious pub close by too). The 4.5-mile Hampstead Heath Round is a really nice amble and takes round two hours.
In the event you’re searching for straightforward hikes close to London this is a superb choice. It’s excellent 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 a little bit 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 Acquire: 653 toes (199 meters)
2. South Financial institution of the Thames
One among my favourite straightforward 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 a substitute, you’ll be rewarded with views of some of the 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 often begin the stroll from Liverpool Avenue Station) and finishes on the Tate Trendy (conveniently subsequent to the Founder’s Arms).
That is undoubtedly top-of-the-line hikes round London if you wish to see among 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 mountain climbing gear. Simply guarantee you’ve got 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 Avenue Station.
Size: 3.1 miles (5 km)
Period: 1 hour and 18 minutes
Kind of Path: Out and Again
Elevation Acquire: 404 toes (123 meters)
3. Parkland Stroll (Finsbury Park to Alexandra Park)
That is one other hike I’ve executed just a few instances as I used to dwell near Ally Pally (Alexandra Palace) in north London. This is without doubt one of the greatest mountain climbing trails in London that takes you thru some lovely 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 a terrific 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 decide up some provides to make a day of it.
The route finally ends up at Alexandra Park subsequent to the spectacular Alexandra Palace which is effectively price a go to alone. There’s a boating lake and a nice rose backyard, and the Phoenix Bar and Kitchen is a superb place for a pint with beautiful 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 traces).
Size: 4.1 miles (6.6 km)
Period: 1 hour and 37 minutes
Kind of Path: Level to Level
Elevation Acquire: 528 toes (191 meters)
4. Thames Path Nationwide Path (Hammersmith to Richmond)
Not like the path alongside the South Financial institution, this Thames mountain climbing path takes you out of the town and into semi-rural areas on the outskirts of London. I cycled the Thames Path Nationwide Path when biking from London to Bristol just a few years in the past and this a part of the Thames is completely lovely.
That is the place you permit the metropolis behind and as a substitute discover a slice of suburban Britain with canal boats and nation pubs on the river. It’s top-of-the-line hikes close to London for its surroundings and is a simple trek because of its principally flat terrain. The route goes previous the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew which is without doubt one of 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 traces. 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 Acquire: 360 toes (110 meters)
5. Epping Forest Oak Path
Epping Forest is situated simply exterior of London in my residence county of Essex. It covers a large 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 mountain climbing trails ranging in size and issue to select from.
Among the best and most lovely of those is the Oak Path. This reasonably difficult route takes round three hours to finish, however I extremely suggest packing a picnic and making a complete day of it. That is one among my favourite locations to go mountain climbing close to London because it makes a terrific escape from the town that’s inside straightforward 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 Acquire: 850 toes (259 meters)
6. Regents Park to Primrose Hill
Regent’s Park is one among London’s Royal Parks and is a good place to flee the town. This straightforward round stroll takes encompasses the gorgeous park and leads you thru tree-lined paths, by means of 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 cross an open-air theater earlier than making your method as much as Primrose Hill for beautiful panoramic views of the town skyline. This a part of north London is typified by giant, Victorian homes, boutique retailers and artisan bakeries, cafes, and eating places and is one among 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 Avenue Tube (Circle, Bakerloo, and Hammersmith & Metropolis traces) 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 Acquire: 380 toes (116 meters)
7. Chess Valley Stroll (Chiltern Hills AONB)
For extra hardcore hikers, the Chess Valley Stroll (it’s most undoubtedly a hike) is an 11-mile trek by means of the Chiltern Hills Space of Excellent Pure Beuty (AONB). This is without doubt one of the most stunningly scenic elements of the nation that’s inside straightforward 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 should be reasonably match to try this hike however you’ll be rewarded by lovely scenes of rural England. The path can get notably muddy after rain, so greatest 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 Acquire: 1,493 toes (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 among the greatest mountain climbing close to London. This space is famed for its sweeping countryside vistas and is the right place for a day hike exterior the town.
The route is reasonably difficult and takes over 4 hours to finish, nevertheless it’s higher to take it straightforward and permit a complete day for the expertise. There are many glorious locations for a picnic the place you possibly can cease to get pleasure from sweeping views of the Surry countryside and also you’ll cross by means of historic woodland, open fields, and valleys.
There are some steep climbs so that you’ll should be pretty match to deal with this hike, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly well worth the effort for the beautiful views. If the climate isn’t conducive to picnics, otherwise you determine to hike in winter, you possibly can heat your self up within the charming King William VI pub with its roaring log fireplace.
Path Particulars and Info
Location: The path begins and ends simply exterior the village of Pixham close to Dorking. See the route on AllTrails.
Getting There: Take the prepare from London Blackfriars to Dorking (Deepdene) by way of 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 Acquire: 1,818 toes (554 meters)
9. Otford Round (Kent Downs AONB)
This reasonably difficult hike takes within the lovely Kent Downs Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence (AONB) an hour southeast of London. Along with the beautiful rolling hills, forests, and valleys, there are many fascinating issues to see alongside the way in which together with the Otford Photo voltaic System; one of many largest mannequin photo voltaic methods on this planet.
It is a implausible 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 newcomers. In the event you go in spring you’ll be met with a sea of bluebells, however this time of yr generally is a fairly muddy so put on appropriate footwear.
It is a sensible hike at any time of yr as the world receives a pleasant breeze in summer season, and in winter it seems to be much more scenic below a layer of snow (be sure you pack a heat coat!). The route begins and finishes off very near The Woodman pub which is effectively price 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 Acquire: 958 toes (292 meters)
10. Frinton to Walton Coast Path
Though there aren’t any waterfall hikes close to London, there are some glorious coastal hikes inside an hour or two of the capital. The seaside at Frinton-on-Sea is without doubt one of the nicest within the southeast of England and someplace I’ve spent quite a lot of time (I swam there rather a lot final summer season).
You possibly can both stroll alongside the seaside 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 seaside hut. The cliffs across the Naze are spectacular and you’ll see proof of various geological intervals right here.
Frinton is simply 90 minutes by prepare from London and makes an ideal day journey to the coast, that means summer season is the most effective 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 Avenue station to Frinton-on-Sea. The coast path and seaside 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 Mountain climbing Round London
Under, you’ll discover some helpful ideas that can assist you get probably the most out of those London treks:
- All the time convey waterproofs: England is famed for its moist climate, so it’s greatest to be ready and pack a water-proof jacket. Some trails might be very muddy after rain so Wellington boots are advisable if hitting the mountain climbing trails close to London.
- Use public transport: Lots of the greatest hikes in London begin in or across the metropolis so it’s greatest to not convey a car (to keep away from parking issues, congestion expenses and many others). As a substitute, make use of London’s glorious public transport. Lots of the trails begin close to an underground station so are straightforward to get to.
- Hike in spring or fall: To get the most effective out of trekking London keep away from the summer season as the paths can develop into very busy, and the climate is usually too sizzling for it to be satisfying. Spring and fall are the right instances because the climate isn’t too sizzling or chilly and the paths aren’t overrun.
- Hike throughout daylight: Though mountain climbing in London could be very secure, make sure you plan your route so that you simply don’t find yourself mountain climbing after darkish (which is widespread sense wherever). Stick with the paths and don’t wander away into areas you’re unfamiliar with.
- Obtain a map: I exploit Maps.ME which doesn’t require an web connection or information because it makes use of real-time GPS. You too can obtain a mountain climbing app similar to AllTrails which options lots of the routes and useful particulars of how one can get to trailheads and many others.
Mountain climbing in London: FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to generally requested questions on mountain climbing round London:
The Hampstead Heath Round Stroll is without doubt one of the hottest hikes close to London because it affords some beautiful countryside environment only a quick tube trip from the middle of the town. That is additionally one among my favourite London strolling trails and one I’ve executed many instances.
The South Financial institution is without doubt one of the best hikes round London because it’s flat and paved your complete method. This is a superb solution to see among the high sights within the metropolis because it follows the Thames from the Tower of London to the Tate Trendy.
There are some small artifical waterfalls in among 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 the town to Scotland or Wales.
What you must put on when mountain climbing round London depends upon the time of yr you go. In summer season, you’ll wish to pack mild as summers within the metropolis might be sizzling (convey swimming wear if going to Hampstead Heath). In winter you’ll wish to wrap up with layers, and in spring and fall you’ll wish to have a mix of layers. It’s a good suggestion to take waterproofs at any time of yr.
The Epping Forest Oak Path is without doubt one of the most lovely trails close to London (and in my residence county of Essex). Discover historic woodland and stroll amongst over 100 lakes and ponds on this beautiful forest park.
Mountain climbing round London isn’t harmful when you persist with acknowledged paths and hike throughout daylight. These London trails are in style 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 okay, however maintain it safe in a bag when not utilizing it.
In Closing
Now you realize about the most effective mountain climbing in London and the encircling areas, which one will you select first? I’ve executed many of those hikes numerous instances and all the time get pleasure from getting out into elements of the town which might be away from the principle vacationer traps. From straightforward metropolis walks to London day-hikes in beautiful countryside, there’s one thing for everybody.
With so many glorious hikes close to London, there’s no excuse to not get exterior and absorb some recent air (and cease by one or two pubs alongside the way in which). So, mud off these mountain climbing footwear, pack some sandwiches, and have a go at one among these strolling trails in London.
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