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Parkland Walk

Amble along the old railway from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, through London’s longest local nature reserve.

Hiking Easy

Distance
6.1 km
Ascent
133 m
Descent
83 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
39 m
High Point
117 m
Gradient
Parkland Walk Map

Parkland Walk is a 4.5-mile amble along an old railway from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, through London’s longest local nature reserve. Find tranquility in London’s green pockets, and admire the many kinds of flora and fauna along the way. Over 300 species of wildflowers have been recorded, and badgers, foxes, butterflies, and hedgehogs are all inhabitants of the area through which the route passes.

Description

Directions:

Begin from the western end of Finsbury Park, just to the north of Finsbury Park station. Take the opportunity to stroll around the park—there’s a lovely lake, formal gardens, and grand avenues of mature trees and a beautiful arboretum to explore.

The route leaves the park and heads west to Crouch End. Pass through Crouch Hill Park, looking out for the old station master’s house, and the overgrown old platforms of Crouch End Station. The trail then continues along gentle woodland trails through Queen's Wood and Highgate Wood.

The final section takes you through Muswell Hill to Alexandra Park, which is a lovely place to enjoy a sunny afternoon—pootling about on a boating lake, admiring the herd of fallow deer, or having a game of pitch and putt. Finish off at the majestic Alexandra Palace, a gem from Queen Victoria’s reign, which sits high up on a hill, rewarding visitors with sweeping views across London.

From here, you have the option to extend your walk along the Capital Ring long-distance trail, which a lot of the Parkland Walk overlays.

Sources: https://www.haringey.gov.uk/libraries-sport-and-leisure/parks-and-open-spaces/z-parks-and-open-spaces/parkland-walk-local-nature-reserve https://londonist.com/2015/06/weekend-walk-haringeys-parkland-walk

Difficulty

Easy

Walking along a well-kept trail that’s mostly flat. No obstacles are present.

Low Exposure

1 out of 4

The path is on completely flat land and potential injury is limited to falling over.

Remoteness

1 out of 4

Close to help in case of emergency.

Best time to visit

between March and November

Features

  • Wildlife
  • Historical
  • Picturesque
  • Dog friendly
  • Wild flowers
  • Family friendly

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area