10 Greatest Hikes Close to London in 2023 (Day Hikes and Walks)
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 large Royal Parks and close by mountain climbing trails, there are hikes round London for all ranges of expertise.
I’ve carried out loads of mountain climbing in London together with on Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill, Parliament Hill Fields, and Epping Forest. Town makes a fantastic 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 dwelling 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 primarily based on accessibility, ease, crowds, views alongside the best way, and total enjoyment on the path.
1. Hampstead Heath Round
Hampstead Heath is one in all 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 historical forests and rolling meadows.
I’ve been strolling and mountain climbing on Hampstead Heath many occasions because it’s really easy to get to from central London and feels such as you’re in the midst of the English countryside, (there’s an excellent 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 straightforward hikes close to London this is a superb possibility. It’s good for strolling and jogging, and canines are welcome as long as they’re on a lead. The path is open year-round however can get a bit of 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 here to see the trail 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)
Length: 2 hours
Sort of Path: Circle
Elevation Acquire: 653 ft (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 occasions 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 one of the crucial iconic cityscapes on the earth.
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 Street 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 means and takes simply over an hour, you don’t want to fret about mountain climbing gear. Simply guarantee you’ve a snug 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 here to see the route on AllTrails.
Getting There: The closest tube is Tower Hill (Circle and District Strains). It’s a ten-15 minute stroll from Liverpool Street Station.
Size: 3.1 miles (5 km)
Length: 1 hour and 18 minutes
Sort of Path: Out and Again
Elevation Acquire: 404 ft (123 meters)
3. Parkland Stroll (Finsbury Park to Alexandra Park)
That is one other hike I’ve carried out a couple of occasions as I used to dwell near Ally Pally (Alexandra Palace) in north London. This is without doubt one of the finest mountain climbing 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 a fantastic stroll for households as there’s some fascinating wall artwork and footage 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 nicely 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 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)
Length: 1 hour and 37 minutes
Sort of Path: Level to Level
Elevation Acquire: 528 ft (191 meters)
4. Thames Path Nationwide Path (Hammersmith to Richmond)
In contrast to 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 a couple 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 a substitute 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 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 strains. It’s a two-minute stroll to the bridge.
Size: 6.4 miles (10.3 km)
Length: 2 hours and 11 minutes
Sort of Path: Level to Level
Elevation Acquire: 360 ft (110 meters)
5. Epping Forest Oak Path
Epping Forest is positioned simply outdoors 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 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 suggest packing a picnic and making an entire day of it. That is one in all my favourite locations to go mountain climbing close to London because it makes a fantastic 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)
Length: 2 hours and 48 minutes
Sort of Path: Round
Elevation Acquire: 850 ft (259 meters)
6. Regents Park to Primrose Hill
Regent’s Park is one in all 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, via completely manicured gardens with colourful flowerbeds, and previous the massive boating lake the place you may cease to take a ship out on the water.
You’ll go an open-air theater earlier than making your means as much as Primrose Hill for beautiful panoramic views of the town skyline. This a part of north London is typified by massive, Victorian homes, boutique outlets and artisan bakeries, cafes, and eating places and is one in all 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 Street Tube (Circle, Bakerloo, and Hammersmith & Metropolis strains) is only a two-minute stroll from the park.
Size: 4.2 miles (6.8 km)
Length: 1 hour and 36 minutes
Sort of Path: Round
Elevation Acquire: 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 via the Chiltern Hills Space of Excellent Pure Beuty (AONB). This is without doubt one of the most stunningly scenic components 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 must be reasonably match to try this hike however you’ll be rewarded by stunning scenes of rural England. The path can get notably 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)
Length: 4 hours and 44 minutes
Sort of Path: Level to Level
Elevation Acquire: 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 Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty lower than an hour by prepare from the capital, and make for a few of the finest mountain climbing close to London. This space is famed for its sweeping countryside vistas and is the proper place for a day hike outdoors the town.
The route is reasonably difficult and takes over 4 hours to finish, but it surely’s higher to take it straightforward and permit an entire day for the expertise. There are many glorious locations for a picnic the place you may cease to take pleasure in sweeping views of the Surry countryside and also you’ll go via historical woodland, open fields, and valleys.
There are some steep climbs so that you’ll must be pretty match to deal with this hike, but it surely’s positively definitely worth the effort for the beautiful views. If the climate isn’t conducive to picnics, otherwise you resolve to hike in winter, you may 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 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)
Length: 4 hours and 4 minutes
Sort of Path: Round
Elevation Acquire: 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 beautiful rolling hills, forests, and valleys, there are many fascinating issues to see alongside the best way together with the Otford Solar System; one of many largest model solar systems on the earth.
It is a implausible trek for extra skilled hikers; there are some steep climbs and components of the path observe nation roads, making it troublesome for households or newbies. For those who go in spring you’ll be met with a sea of bluebells, however this time of 12 months could be a fairly muddy so put on appropriate footwear.
It is a sensible hike at any time of 12 months as the realm receives a pleasant breeze in summer time, and in winter it appears to be like much more scenic underneath a layer of snow (make sure you pack a heat coat!). The route begins and finishes off very near The Woodman pub which is nicely price popping in for a refreshment and a few relaxation.
Path Particulars and Info
Location: The route begins and finishes on the Otford Memorial Hall 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)
Length: 2 hours and 35 minutes
Sort of Path: Round
Elevation Acquire: 958 ft (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 seashore at Frinton-on-Sea is without doubt one of the nicest within the southeast of England and someplace I’ve spent a number of time (I swam there so much final summer time).
You may both stroll alongside the seashore or observe 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’ll 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 in case 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 positioned on the east coast of England within the county of Essex. Click here for directions.
Getting There: There are hourly trains from London Liverpool Avenue station to Frinton-on-Sea. The coast path and seashore are a ten-minute stroll from the station.
Size: 2 miles (3.2 km)
Length: 1 hour
Sort of Path Out and Again
Suggestions for Mountaineering Round London
Under, you’ll discover some useful suggestions that can assist you get probably the most out of those London treks:
- At all times carry waterproofs: England is famed for its moist climate, so it’s finest to be ready and pack a water-resistant jacket. Some trails will be very muddy after rain so Wellington boots are advisable if hitting the mountain climbing 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 carry a car (to keep away from parking issues, congestion costs and so forth). As a substitute, make use of London’s glorious public transport. Most of the trails begin close to an underground station so are straightforward 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 pleasing. Spring and fall are the proper occasions because the climate isn’t too sizzling or chilly and the paths aren’t overrun.
- Hike throughout daytime: Though mountain climbing in London may be very secure, make sure you plan your route so that you just don’t find yourself mountain climbing after darkish (which is widespread sense wherever). Follow the paths and don’t get lost 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 too can obtain a mountain climbing app corresponding to AllTrails which options most of the routes and useful particulars of tips on how to get to trailheads and so forth.
Mountaineering 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 most popular hikes near London because it gives some beautiful countryside environment only a brief tube journey from the middle of the town. That is additionally one in all my favourite London strolling trails and one I’ve carried out many occasions.
The South Financial institution is without doubt one of the best hikes round London because it’s flat and paved your complete means. This is a superb method 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 corresponding to Regent’s Park, St James’ Park, and Holland Park, however to see bigger, pure falls you’ll want to go away from the town to Scotland or Wales.
What you need to put on when mountain climbing round London relies on the time of 12 months you go. In summer time, you’ll wish to pack mild as summers within the metropolis will be sizzling (carry 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 12 months.
The Epping Forest Oak Path is without doubt one of the most beautiful trails near London (and in my residence county of Essex). Discover historical woodland and stroll amongst over 100 lakes and ponds on this beautiful forest park.
Mountaineering round London isn’t harmful in case you follow acknowledged paths and hike throughout daytime. These London trails are common and busy areas with loads of folks round at most occasions. Take the identical precautions you’ll wherever and don’t flash precious gear round. Taking a digicam is okay, however hold it safe in a bag when not utilizing it.
In Closing
Now about the very best mountain climbing in London and the encompassing areas, which one will you select first? I’ve carried out many of those hikes numerous occasions and at all times take pleasure in getting out into components of the town which are 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 outdoors and absorb some contemporary air (and cease by one or two pubs alongside the best way). So, mud off these mountain climbing footwear, pack some sandwiches, and have a go at one in all these strolling trails in London.
