10 top hiking trails near London
Nothing beats a long hike with gorgeous views when the weather’s good. These top trails close to London are easy to get to and provide a wide range of routes for all expertise…
Main image: Ashdown Forest (c) Craig Payne
1
Box Hill
If you fancy a challenge and want to see the best views that Surrey has to offer, look no further than Box Hill, widely considered the most breath-taking walk in the Surrey Hills. Grab a train to Box Hill & Westhumble Station, and once you emerge you’ll be immediately met with stunning natural beauty and wildlife. The terrain is slightly more challenging than average, so it’s definitely one for hikers with a little more experience – but don’t let that scare you. The full Box Hill hike offers a range of challenging hiking paths and a 13km circular route with steep climbs, but you can also choose shorter paths to accommodate different expertise levels.
2
Seven Sisters Cliff Walk
The Seven Sisters Cliff Walk is one of the most beloved hiking trails in the UK for a reason. The iconic cliffs, paved in a smooth white façade, offer gorgeous panoramic views of the English Channel and prove the perfect opportunity to reap the benefits of the open sea air. From London, you can take the train to Brighton before switching to the train to Seaford (only a 30 minute journey from Brighton). If you’re looking for a longer hike, the full cliff walk goes all the way to Eastbourne over 21km, or if you’d like a shorter trip, there are shorter hikes along the route where you have the option to stop off at different towns.
3
Chess Valley Walk
Hop on a train to either Rickmansworth or Chesham station to begin the Chess Valley Walk, a scenic 10 mile hike through the Chilterns. You’ll pass through picturesque fields and pretty villages along the River Chess, and the whole walk is clearly sign-posted, so you never have to worry about getting lost. Some notable sights along this hike include a Roman villa at Latimer, as well as Chenies Manor, which has gorgeous gardens open to the public to visit. This one is super close to London and very easy to get to.
4
Epping Forest
Forest hikers should definitely add Epping Forest to their list; it’s a beautiful, magical woodland and its walking paths are not too difficult for first-time hikers. It’s very quick to get to from London: the train from Liverpool Street to Chingford station takes only 30 minutes. Choose from various paths varying in difficulty, surrounded by ancient woodlands and plenty of wildlife to spot. You’ll be guaranteed to find yourself transported to another world entirely on this magical walk.
5
Green Chain Walk
Short on travel time? The Green Chain Circular Walk might be the one for you. Spanning down the River Thames to Nunhead Cemetery, this is one hike you don’t even have to leave London for if you don’t want to. The full trail is a whopping 50 miles long, but of course there’s no need to attempt the whole thing. There are various sections to choose from; if you want a scenic route, we recommend the Crystal Palace to Nunhead Cemetery route, which follows along Beckenham Palace’s flower gardens, with an ancient manor and beautiful green meadows. Come to a stop at Nunhead Cemetery and explore its majestic grounds, before celebrating the end of your walk at one of Nunhead’s cosy nearby pubs.
6
The Ridgeway
The Ridgeway is an ancient trail following an old travellers’ route along southern England from centuries ago. Still a popular walking trail now, we’ve selected a particular section of it for aspirational hikers: the Tring to Princess Risborough route, which takes you along the Chiltern Hills and is perfect for sightseeing. You can take the train from London to Tring (approx. 44 minutes) and then hop on a bus from Tring station to the town centre, where you will begin your walk. Along the way, you’ll traverse both fields and beautiful woodlands, and even pass through Chequers Estate, which is the country home of the Prime Minister.
7
Kent Downs
The 90-minute journey from London Victoria to Cobham (Kent, not Surrey!) will take you to a gorgeous walking trail where you can discover the beauty of the Kent Downs. Having been labelled an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Kent Downs are certainly an Eden-like feast for the eyes. You can take the 11-mile circular route from Cobham to explore some of the loveliest parts, including Mill Hill viewpoint and Silverhand Estate, which is paved with picturesque apple orchards.
8
The White Cliffs of Dover
We would be remiss without mentioning these ancient chalk cliffs, the subject of so much Romantic poetry. One of the chief inspirations for the concept of the sublime, the White Cliffs of Dover are most certainly worth a visit. The train to Dover Priory from London is one hour and 30 minutes; if you leave early enough you’ll give yourself plenty of time to explore the wild majesty of these iconic cliffs. You can choose the 16km walk full of panoramic sea views, or opt for a shorter walk with stop-off points, such as the lighthouse or the Fan Bay Deep Shelter.
9
Ashdown Forest
The train to East Grinstead will lead you to the stunning Ashdown Forest, a popular hiking spot and beautiful conservation area, replete with wildlife and winding woodlands. This one is a slightly longer journey from London (coming in at about two hours) but it’s most definitely worth it. The Ashdown Forest Extended Walk spans 14 kilometres, but there are also plenty of shorter trails to explore. There’s also the nearby village of Forest Row, where you can stop in for a meal or a drink after your hike.
10
Ouse Valley Viaduct
If you want to see some of the most impressive Victorian remains that Britain has to offer, be sure to check out the Ouse Valley Viaduct walk. The train to Balcombe will take you to a 13km circular hike around Ardingly Reservoir and to the Viaduct. It’s a brilliant piece of architecture: sit inside and you’ll find yourself within an optical illusion where you can stand at one end and see through 450 metres of arches. Grab a picture for Instagram, maybe have a picnic, then continue down the Ardingly Reservoir Walk for some picturesque natural sights.
