There are few better ways to escape a busy London lifestyle than taking a few hours to hike through some of the beautiful natural environments surrounding it. Not too far beyond the bustling streets of England’s capital lies a world of cliff top views, rolling hills and riverside walks that stretch for miles. Many of these trails are situated less than a 90-minute train ride from the city and cater to all levels, whether you are a seasoned hiker or a casual walker.
The allure of hiking moves far beyond the physical benefits like increased cardiovascular health and mental clarity. Hiking is a chance to step away from screens, traffic and the monotony of daily routines. It can help to reignite your creative spark whilst deepening your connection to nature.
The Ridgeway
Distance: 13.3 miles
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difficulty: High
For at least 5,000 years travellers have used The Ridgeway as a reliable trade route, its hills offering commanding views of the villages below. Today, this rugged terrain has become a popular long-distance hiking trail spanning all the way from Avebury in Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon, Buckinghamshire.
One of the most popular sections of the trail is the 13 mile stretch from Tring in Hertfordshire to the Buckinghamshire town of Princes Risborough. Passing through the Chiltern hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this trail is a high intensity hike that usually takes around 6 hours. Highlights along the way include Boddington Hill which is the site of an Iron Age hill fort, the picturesque town of Wendover, and the impressive 16th century Chequers Estate, home of the Prime Minister.
A direct train from London Euston to Tring takes under 45 minutes, as does the train ride from Princes Risborough to London Marylebone, making this hike easily accessible to those living in the city.
The Seven Sisters Cliff Walk
Distance: 13.6 miles
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difficulty: High
Offering some of the best coastal views in the country, the 13.5 mile Seven Sisters Cliffs Walk between the East Sussex towns of Seaford and Eastbourne is a popular, high intensity hike. The Seven Sisters are a series of white chalk cliffs on the English Channel coast whose peaks were formed by erosion from the path of ancient rivers.
The route is a fairly tough trek but the beautiful ocean views along the way make every mile worth the exertion. Cuckmere Haven, a quiet pebble beach, is one of the sights on the trail and on warmer days it offers the perfect opportunity for wild swimming. Also along the way is Martello Tower, one of over 100 English fortresses built during the Napoleonic Wars, as well as the summit of Haven Brow, which is the highest of the Seven Sisters.
To get to Seaford, a train ride from London Victoria changing at Lewes takes around an hour and a half. For the return journey, there is a convenient direct train from Eastbourne to London Victoria.
The Chess Valley Walk
Distance: 10.3 miles
Walking Time: 4.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Following the River Chess from the Hertfordshire town of Rickmansworth to Chesham in Buckinghamshire, the Chess Valley walk is another hiking trail that passes through the beautiful Chilterns. The River Chess is a chalk stream – a crystal clear, lowland body of water that is particularly easy to navigate, making this hike the ideal starting point for those unfamiliar with map reading.
There are numerous picturesque villages along the trail as well as plenty of interesting sights to see. Along the route, you'll find Latimer, a Roman farm villa dating back to the first century, and Chenies Manor, located around halfway, which boasts stunning public gardens. In Sarratt, you’ll discover the last remaining commercial watercress farm in the Chilterns. The trail also offers a chance to spot rare wildlife, with walkers frequently seeing water voles and kingfishers along the river.
Both Rickmansworth and Chesham are on the London Underground Metropolitan line, making them easy to reach in a short amount of time.
Epping Forest
Distance: 13.1 miles
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate/High
Once considered private land belonging to the royal family, Epping Forest has been the forest of the people since 1882 when Queen Victoria decided to open this acreage to the public. There are more than 170 miles of trails in Epping Forest, making it the largest open space in all of London.
One of the longer hikes in the forest is the 13-mile loop at Ivy chimneys that winds through a number of Epping Forest’s most beautiful areas. The woodlands are particularly breathtaking during the Autumn months or when the bluebells come out in spring. At around the halfway point of this hike is Butlers Retreat, a great spot to stop for lunch, and slightly further on are the popular Connaught Water and Strawberry Hill ponds which are always teeming with wildlife.
The Central Line on the London Underground extends to Epping, and a journey from Oxford Circus takes less than an hour.
The Thames Path West
Distance: 7 miles
Walking Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Low
A short walk from Tilehurst Railway Station, through a sprawling industrial estate, reveals a striking shift in Reading’s landscape. Beyond the brickwork and busy streets lies a tranquil natural retreat by the Thames River, where swans and ducks gather in abundance.
The 7-mile section of the Thames Path from Tilehurst to Sonning Bridge is a relaxing, low intensity hike perfect for beginners. You pass rolling fields on the way to Rivermead Park, walk under Caversham Bridge and then past Fry’s Island, a natural island in the centre of the river which is home to a private residence. Following this trail will also take you onto Reading bridge and over islands and meadows until you reach the point where the Thames meets the River Kennet. However, the most impressive sight is the Thames Valley Park, 80 acres of peaceful wetland full of beautiful wildlife.
To reach Tilehurst, take the Elizabeth Line to Reading, followed by a four-minute train ride to Tilehurst Station. For the return journey, a short bus ride to Twyford allows you to rejoin the Elizabeth Line back to London.
