5 Best Hiking Trails in London (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Vespera Quill, Expert in Local Experiences and Cultural Analysis · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 7 min read

The hiking trails in London below have racked up nearly 3,400 Google reviews combined, and Parkland Walk alone carries almost 2,000 of those at a 4.6 rating. Most of what ranks here are free, public green spaces rather than paid attractions: old railway lines, a canal towpath, and ancient woodland, all reachable without a car. One name on this list breaks that pattern entirely, a guided hiking club you can actually book, for anyone who'd rather walk with a group than navigate alone.

Short answer: Parkland Walk, a 4km former railway line through north London, is the most-reviewed trail at 4.6 across 1,980 reviews. New River Walk edges it slightly on rating at 4.7, and Sydenham Hill Wood and Regent's Canal Walk both sit at 4.6 with very different scenery, woodland versus waterside. Every one are free public spaces. If you want a guided group hike rather than walking solo, Hiking in London Club is the one bookable business here, rated 4.9 across 166 reviews.

Jump to a business

1. Parkland Walk
2. New River Walk
3. Sydenham Hill Wood
4. Regent’s Canal Walk
5. Hiking in London Club
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London's best-rated trails and walks

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Parkland Walk	4.6 ★	1,980	Longest linear walk, railway history	View ›
2	New River Walk	4.7 ★	501	Short, scenic canalside stroll	View ›
3	Sydenham Hill Wood	4.6 ★	446	Ancient woodland, wildlife	View ›
4	Regent’s Canal Walk	4.6 ★	295	Waterside walking, Camden to Little Venice	View ›
5	Hiking in London Club	4.9 ★	166	Guided group hikes, the one bookable option here	View ›

Where to walk, and what each one actually is

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

Parkland Walk

4.61,980 Google reviews

Parkland Walk is a public nature reserve, not a business, run with input from Friends of the Parkland Walk volunteers. It's the longest linear nature reserve in London at 4km, following the former railway line that once connected Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, with old station platforms and graffiti-lined embankments still visible along the route. Entry is free and open year-round, though the Friends group flags occasional path closures for maintenance.

What people praise

Reviewers call it a genuine escape from the city despite being entirely within it
Popular with dog walkers, runners and cyclists as well as walkers
Well signed with information panels on the area's railway and natural history

Worth knowing

Can get crowded with cyclists and joggers on busy weekends, and a couple of reviewers noted near-misses with fast-moving traffic on the path

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume1,980 · 97th

Confidencevery high

Recency8 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown72% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The deepest review history and a strong, consistent rating make this the obvious first stop if you only have time for one walk.

Website +442075274374 Directions

Florence Road, London N4 3EY

#2🕑 Open 5 days/wk

New River Walk

4.7501 Google reviews

New River Walk is a public park and walking path following the historic New River, a channel built in 1609 to carry fresh water into London from Hertfordshire. It's a free green space through Canonbury in Islington, with planted trees and gardens lining a curving artificial stream rather than a wild river.

What people praise

Reviewers describe it as a quiet, attractive escape without leaving the city
Good for a short, easy stroll rather than a long hike
Wildlife including moorhens and coots visible along the water

Worth knowing

It's a short walk rather than a full trail, so it suits a stroll more than a serious hike

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume501 · 92th

Confidencehigh

Recency4 weeks ago

Info completenesshours

Rating breakdown75% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The highest rating on this page at 4.7, though its short length means it's better paired with another walk than treated as a destination on its own.

Directions

New Riv Path, London N1 2LD

#3🕑 Open 7 days

Sydenham Hill Wood

4.6446 Google reviews

Sydenham Hill Wood is a nature reserve managed by London Wildlife Trust, mixing ancient and newer woodland with remnants of Victorian gardens in Dulwich. It's the Trust's oldest reserve and includes Cox's Walk, a connecting path with several entrances, some of which are not wheelchair accessible due to gates and uneven footpaths.

What people praise

Reviewers praise the mix of wildlife, from squirrels to parakeets
Historic features like an old railway tunnel and folly ruins along the route
Kept clean and well maintained by Woodland Trust volunteers

Worth knowing

One reviewer felt recent path resurfacing has made it feel less wild than before
No picnic benches or public toilets on site

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume446 · 87th

Confidencehigh

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown74% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The strongest pick here for genuine woodland and wildlife rather than an urban walking path, though don't expect facilities once you're in.

Website +442038976151 Directions

Crescent Wood Rd, London SE26 6LS

Regent’s Canal Walk

4.6295 Google reviews

Regent's Canal Walk is a public towpath running through central London, connecting areas like Little Venice, Camden Market and Granary Square along the canal. It's free to walk and open at all times, though it's more urban path than nature reserve, with cafes, narrowboats and canalside bars lining sections of the route.

What people praise

Reviewers highlight the wildlife along the water, including foxes, ducks and swans
A genuinely peaceful escape from traffic despite being in central London
Good stopover points at Camden and Granary Square for food and drink

Worth knowing

A few reviewers note some stretches are poorly lit and feel less safe after dark

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume295 · 82th

Confidencehigh

Recency3 months ago

Info completenessbasic

Rating breakdown78% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The best choice if you want a walk that doubles as a day out, with places to stop and eat rather than pure nature.

Directions

City Rd, London N1 8AP

#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Hiking in London Club

4.9166 Google reviews

Hiking in London Club is an actual business, not a public trail: a guided hiking group offering subscription plans and bookable day trips to routes in and around London, including further afield destinations like the White Cliffs of Dover. Run by organizers including Thomas and Maria, the club focuses on group hikes for people who want company and logistics handled rather than walking solo.

What people praise

Reviewers repeatedly praise the organizers by name for being welcoming and attentive
Described as well organized, with train tickets and logistics sorted in advance
Highly rated for building genuine friendships among repeat hikers

Worth knowing

This is a paid, scheduled activity rather than a free trail you can walk any time

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume166 · 76th

Confidencemoderate

Recency8 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown92% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: If you'd rather hike with a group than figure out a route alone, this is the only name on this page you actually book, and it holds the highest rating here at 4.9.

Website +447535295739 Directions

15 Dance Sq, London EC1V 3AJ

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Watch: 5 Best Hiking Trails in London (2026)

How we rank these trails

Rating is the live Google average. Review volume measures how many visitors have actually left a review, ranked against the others on this page. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a high score on a small number of reviews scores lower than a strong score backed by hundreds or thousands. Recency tracks how recently people are still reviewing. No business can pay to change these numbers, and most of the names here are public green spaces rather than companies at all.

Do you have to pay to hike in London? (2026)

Four of them places on this page are free, public green spaces with no entry fee. Hiking in London Club is the exception, since it’s a paid, bookable group activity with tiered subscription options for members and non-members.

Hiking trails across London

These trails spread across the city rather than clustering in one area, from Parkland Walk in the north between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace, to New River Walk in Islington, Sydenham Hill Wood in the south around Dulwich, and Regent’s Canal Walk running through central London near Camden. If you’re searching for a hiking trail near me in London, most boroughs have one of these within reach by tube or bus.

What to check before you head out

Is the trail free and open to the public, or does it require a booking?
How long is the route, and does it suit a short stroll or a longer hike?
Are there toilets or facilities along the way, or should you plan ahead?
Is the path wheelchair or pushchair accessible?
Are dogs allowed off the lead, or must they stay on a lead the whole way?
If booking a guided hike, what’s included in the price, like transport or subscription tiers?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these hiking trails?

We pulled every trail, nature reserve and hiking-related listing with public Google reviews in London, then ranked them on real rating, review volume, and how recently people are still reviewing.

How often is this page updated?

We refreshed this page in August 2026 using the latest available Google ratings and review data.

Are these actual hiking trails, or just parks?

Honestly, mostly the latter. Four of them are public green spaces such as converted railway lines, a historic water channel path, ancient woodland, and a canal towpath, rather than mountain-style hiking trails. Hiking in London Club is the one genuine bookable hiking business on this page.

Do I need to book in advance to walk these trails?

No, for the ones here public spaces you can walk in any time they’re open, free of charge. Hiking in London Club is the exception and does require booking a place on a guided hike.

The bottom line

For a free, well-reviewed walk with real character, Parkland Walk’s length and railway history make it the easiest starting point. If you’d rather hike with company and let someone else handle the route, Hiking in London Club is the one option here you actually book.

Best Outdoor Activities in other cities

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