Saturday Walk - A varied walk through the green spaces of London's ‘Northern Heights’, with some panoramic views of the city: Finsbury Park to Hampstead

Length: 18.9 km (11.7 mi) [for a shorter walk see below]

Ascent/Descent: 335/321m

Net Walking Time: ca. 4 ½ hours

Toughness: 4 out of 10 

 

Meet at 10.15 outside Finsbury Park Station (Main Line Services from Kings Cross, and Victoria and Piccadilly Lines), Station Place/National Rail Exit.

 

This is an urban stroll through the green spaces of London's ‘Northern Heights’, starting with a section along the Parkland Walk, a linear nature reserve created along the trackbed of a disused branch line off the East Coast main line, followed by a succession of woods, parks and playing fields on the way to an early 20^thC example of town planning, Hampstead Garden Suburb.

The remainder of the walk is now almost entirely on Hampstead Heath, 325 hectares of woods and parkland.

After a break for lunch (and a brief excursion into Golders Hill Park) the walk route takes you to a fascinating survival from one of the grand properties built around the edge of Hampstead Heath.

The walk now heads north-east to the Kenwood Estate, where you have the opportunity to visit Kenwood House.

The full walk ends with a short exploration of Hampstead's old streets, taking in some of its many historic buildings. 

 

Short Walk: 

Start from Highgate Underground (3.7 km and 80m ascent into the route) or from East Finchley Underground (another 2.3 km along). 

 

Elevenses: Plenty of options in Highgate. 

Lunch: the Old Bull & Bush in North Hampstead (11.0 km). 

Tea: numerous options in Hampstead, see the pdf for details.

 

For walk directions, map, photos, height profile, and gpx/kml files click here. t=swc.257.x