North to South London 34 Mile Trail
Great news! A NEW and exciting long distance trail created by Emily Morrison and Lucy Maddison of The Walking Post has arrived!
The Walking Post is home for inspiring walking route ideas in Surrey, Kent, London and further afield.
A big shout out to Emily and Lucy for putting this wonderful trail together! It’s incredibly well structured, with easy to navigate instructions and maps for each section.
WHAT IS THE NORTH TO SOUTH LONDON TRAIL?
This route stretches 34 miles from Cockfosters in the far north of London all the way to Carshalton in the South. It traverses the capital, connecting footpaths, waterways, woods and other green spaces – some well-known, some entirely surprising. And the best bit? 75% of the route is off-road! Which, when you’re walking across a capital city, is quite something.
Full Route
SECTION 1: COCKFOSTERS TO HIGHGATE
Distance 8 miles / 12.5 km
Oak Hill Park I Pymme’s Brook I Arnos Park I Broomfield Park I New River Aqueduct I Alexandra Palace I Highgate Woods
ROUTE DETAILS
Start Cockfosters – Piccadilly Line
End Highgate – Northern Line
Difficulty Easy
Length 8 miles / 12.8 km
Average time 3.5 – 4 hours
Total ascent 416ft
Section 1: Directions
Cockfosters to Highgate 8 miles / 12.8 km
Leave Cockfosters station via the exit opposite the barriers, signposted ‘way out and northbound buses’ on an underpass. Exit to the right and once you reach street level, turn left and then left again on Chalk Lane, briefly following the London Loop
As the road swings around the right, turn off the road onto a track towards a church (Christ Church). Passing the church to your right, turn left down a public footpath taking you past a primary school on your right-hand side
You’ll come out onto Mount Pleasant Road which you cross, using the crossing straight ahead of you and then turn left along the opposite pavement. Very shortly, turn right down Ashurst Road
The road swings around to the right. Continue on the left-hand pavement until you see a footpath off to the left signposted ‘Heddon Court Avenue’ between houses. The path continues straight on. You’ll cross another road and then continue straight on between the houses
You’ll emerge onto another suburban road and turn right along the pavement passing Freston Hall. At the T-junction, turn left along Cat Hill (A110) and then take the next right down Mansfield Avenue, continue down here until you see some woods (Oak Hill Wood Nature Reserve to your left and take the second footpath between trees with a red bin and 2 posts
Please note these woods have many paths and can be a little confusing, so if in doubt keep straight on to emerge from the woods into Oak Hill Park and make for the tarmac path ahead (Pymmes Brook Trail)
Walk straight downhill , cross a small wooden bridge. After a short while you will see a turning to your left, ignore the first and take the second path left path down to the stream, cross over turn right walking parallel to the stream and keep going straight on
When you see another bridge, cross back over to the other side and continue on until you emerge from the woods into an open area, this is Oak Hill Park
Head for the squat building in front of you and slightly to the left. Cross a wooden bridge and then turn left along the tarmacked cross-path by the building. You are now on the Pymmes Brook Trail
Continue on this trail the left bank of the brook until you reach a road (Parkside gardens), with a bridge to your right. Cross the road turn right and then immediately left to continue on the grass along the right-hand bank of the brook
You’ll cross two roads. Just continue on the left bank of the stream until you come out onto a road, next to the Arnos Park Viaduct. Go left under the viaduct and then immediately right, across the road, into Arnos Park. Continue along the tarmacked path until there’s a turn off right onto a road
Come out and turn left onto Wilmer Way. Walk uphill to the mini roundabout and cross Powys Lane, and turn right through a gate into Broomfield Park, also signposted Pymmes Brook Trail. Turn right along the tarmac path and follow around the edge of the park until you get to an archway into a walled garden
Go through the archway and turn left along a flower-lined walkway. Then turn right, with a pond to your left and a white archway visible ahead of you. Continue straight on, ignoring the sign off left for the Pymmes Brook Trail. Go through the gate in the wall, next to the white archway and turn left along the pavement of Broomfield Lane, keeping the park to your left
Keep straight on and cross a bridge over the railway line and then turn right at the mini roundabout onto Shapland Way. Turn left at a big brick building called Palm Court and then immediately to your right, there’s a set of steps down to New River Path
At the bottom of the steps, turn right along the river (which is actually the New River Aqueduct). Follow this until you reach the North Circular (A406). Use the crossing to your left to get across the road and then turn right on the pavement, over a bridge and then turn immediately left, following the signs to New River Path
Turn left through a green gate and you’ll see the waterway ahead of you. Continue along the left bank and then take the steps up to Myddleton Road. Opposite is a community garden
Cross the road turn left and then first right onto Palmerston Road. At the next mini roundabout, bear right and cross the road towards Finsbury Gardens. Turn right on Truro Road and then go left through the gate into the Gardens
Take the concrete path through the gardens, crossing Nightingale Road and continuing straight on through the park on the other side. You’ll cross two more roads but keep straight on along the New River Path
Bear right towards the road and you’ll come out on Dorset Road, with Alexandra Palace straight ahead of you. Continue until you reach the Starting Gate Pub and then cross the road, going over the footbridge to the right of Alexandra Palace station
The walkway comes out onto Bedford Road, cross the road, turn left on the pavement with houses to your right and follow the path as it ascends into Alexandra Park woodland. Where there the path splits, take the right hand option and continue through the woods
Cross a path and go straight on through the Rose garden to emerge on the side of Alexandra Palace itself. Turn left to the front of the palace on the terrace, right to walk in front of it and then down steps to the road
Descend downhill as the road curves left and on the right are two tracks with white gates. Turn right along the second track right just before a bus stop towards a car park
The path continues around to the left of the park and the exit via a covered walkway. Follow the signs for Parkland Walk (North) straight ahead. You’ll go through a green painted underpass under Muswell Hill and then along Parkland Walk- an old railway track route (with panoramic views to your left)
The path then swings left up to the road (Cranley Gardens), almost at a mini roundabout. Turn left at the roundabout onto the B550 and then, after a few feet, cross the road and go through the metal gates into Highgate Woods
Follow the sign for the café and toilets going around to the left. Continue on the path, ignoring the come-out at Lodge Gate. You’ll pass a plaque for Highgate Wood Lodge on your right. In the woods you will cross the Capital Ring
Fairly soon, turn right following signs to the playground. You’ll come out at Archway Gate and exit onto Archway road, if you turn left, you’ll soon reach Highgate station. Or If you are continuing on with the next section of the walk cross the road into Church Road.
SECTION 2: HIGHGATE TO BAKER STREET
Distance 6.5 miles / 10.5 km
Hampstead Heath I Kenwood House I Parliament Hill I Camden Lock I Regents Canal I Primrose Hill I London Zoo I Regent’s Park I
ROUTE DETAILS
Start Highgate tube – Northern Line
End Baker St tube – Circle, Hammersmith & City, Bakerloo, Jubilee & Metropolitan
Difficulty Easy
Length 6.5 miles (10.5km)
Average time 2.5-3.5 hours
Total ascent 293ft
Section 2: Directions
If starting from Station Leave Highgate station (exit 3) and turn right on Archway Road, cross straight over at the junction at Southwood lane by the Woodman pub, and take 2nd left into Church Road. (If carrying on from Section 1 from Highgate woods cross Archway road and go ahead into Church Road)
Continue straight on at the junction onto View Road. Come out onto Denewood Road and turn left. At the T junction with Broadlands Road, take a right
At the next junction, turn right onto Bishopswood Road. At the bottom of this road, cross over and turn left on Hampstead Lane. Very soon, there’s a pathway off to your right with no sign - but just past the entrance is a plaque which tells you that you’re now on Hampstead Heath
Continue straight down the path until you come out on onto the open, and then turn right along the edge of a band of trees. At the end of the tree line, you’ll come to a cross path. Go straight on along a tarmac path - but don’t forget to look behind you at the view!
Go through some gates with Kenwood House ahead of you. After the house, turn immediately left down a set of steps. Continue straight on to the right of the lake and go across a little bridge into woodland, turning right uphill once across
The path meets another path from the left. Just keep going uphill to the right. Turn right out the second gate you come to will metal railings and then via left down a stony path
At the cross path, keep straight on. To your left you will see an open meadow with houses on a hill behind (Highgate).. Continue straight on, ignoring cross paths, in the direction of Parliament Hill, the highest point on Hampstead Heath. (Please note this area can be confusing so if in doubt ask someone the way to Parliament Hill)
Continue straight on until you see a wide cross path and a hill to your left. Turn uphill and at the top admire the view from Parliament Hill
Turn right here straight down towards the London view. The path quickly descends into an open field. Ahead of you is a running track and to the left of that, a red-brick building which is Parliament Hill Lido
Take the path between the running track and the lido and follow it down to the road and exit the heath onto Gordon House Road
Turn right, passing Gospel Oak tube station, cross at the lights , turn left past shops and take the next left turn called Oak Village
At the end of the road, cross over and continue straight on down Grafton Road until it crosses the railway tracks
Across the bridge, turn left to stay on the same road as it curves to the left and continues straight on for 800 metres until you reach Prince of Wales Road with the Leisure Centre to your left
Cross the road turn left then immediately right down Castlehaven Road to continue on for 400 metres until you reach Hawley Road. Cross to the other side, turn left and then after a red brick flats you will see a paved walkway on your right (Torbay Lane) signed Hawley Wharf
Turn down here and under one railway arch and then another. Ahead you will see a paved area with cafes and bars and then emerge on the Regents Canal towpath
Turn right and continue on the towpath until you pass under Camden High Street bridge unless you want to visit the market, turn sharp right up onto the bridge, cross over the canal then turn immediately right back on the canal side path
Cross the metal footbridge just after the lock and continue on the towpath keeping the canal to your left
Carry on along the Regents Canal passing under 4 bridges. Just after the 5th bridge the canal turns sharply to the right and there is a Chinese restaurant boat to your left. Take the towpath exit immediately after the bridge to emerge onto Prince Albert road
Turn left and walk until you see Primrose Hill ahead. Cross the road to enter the park and take the left-most path along the bottom of the hill and near the end of the park exit left back onto Prince Albert Road. Directly across the road is the entrance to Regent’s Park. Go through the gates into the park, crossing a bridge and then the Outer Circle and continuing through more gates and bearing left, with London Zoo on your left-hand side
Look out for giraffes and camels as you continue along this path until you see the Gothic Ready Money Drinking Fountain ahead of you. Go around the fountain and bear right along the appropriately named Broad Walk, past a café of the same name on the right-hand side
Where the Broad Walk meets a road, turn right along Chester Road, continuing straight through the ornate gates into Queen Mary’s Rose Gardens. Continue straight until you reach a cross path where you bear left and then right around Regent’s Bar & Kitchens
Cross the Inner Circle and continue straight on through more gates. You’ll see a boating lake and band stand to your right
Cross over the lake via the footbridge and then turn right and swiftly left to exit the park onto the Outer Circle. Turn left here to cross at the lights and then turn right, following the road around to the left as it joins Baker Street
Cross Allsopp Place to continue along Baker Street. The underground station entrance is down on the left. Or you can continue down to the next junction to pick up the next stage of the North to South London Trail.
SECTION 3: BAKER STREET TO BATTERSEA
Distance 6.2 miles / 10 km
Marble Arch I Hyde Park I Buckingham Palace I St James’s Park I Trafalgar Square I South Bank Centre I Thames Path I London Eye I Houses of Parliament I Lambeth Palace I Battersea Power Station
ROUTE DETAILS
Start Baker Street – Bakerloo, Circle, Jubilee, Metropolitan
End Battersea Power Station – Northern Line
Difficulty Easy
Length 6.2 miles / 10 km
Average time 2.5 – 3 hours
Total ascent 98ft
Section 3: Directions
Come out the front entrance of Baker Street underground station onto Westway (A501). Cross this road carefully and go straight down Baker Street on the right-hand pavement
Cross over Bickenhall Street and then turn right down York Street. Continue straight on, crossing two junctions until you reach St Mary’s Church, Marylebone on the left-hand side. Go around the side of the church on Wyndham Place and turn back to admire its magnificent Romanesque Revival frontage before crossing Crawford Street ahead of you and continuing straight down Wyndham Place
The route takes you straight on from here, down the right-hand side of Bryanston Square and then across George Street and down Great Cumberland Place until you come out at Marble Arch
You’ll need to turn left here and go to the crossing in order to get across to Marble Arch itself. Walk beside the arch onto a pedestrian square. Ahead of you is another crossing (spanning Park Lane). Take this crossing and bear right into Hyde Park - at Cumberland Gate
There’s a choice of paths here and you want to take central one which runs diagonally across the park. Cross the cycle path and continue straight on in with grass lawns on both sides. This path cuts a straight line through the park all the way to the Serpentine, so ignore diversions off to the left and right
You’ll reach the eastern edge of the Serpentine with a café (and customer toilets) ahead of you. Turn left here on the wide path by the Serpentine and then after the cafe take the path to the right down hill and follow it left with gardens on both sides
Cross a small square with a statue in the middle and follow the main path all the way to Queen Elizabeth Gate on Hyde Park Corner
Use the crossing ahead of you to get to the Wellington Arch and then continue from here past the Memorial Gates onto Constitution Hill which runs to the right of Green Park
At the end of this road, you’ll reach Buckingham Palace. Bear left and cross over the Mall to enter St James’s Park. Continue along the left bank of the lake
A short distance after the bridge across the lake, there’s a path heading off left which you can follow back onto the Mall. Alternatively, you can continue straight on to St James’s Palace and then turn left here
Once on the Mall, continue through Admiralty Arch and straight across the roundabout below Trafalgar Square, crossing Whitehall and Northumberland Avenue to reach the Strand
Just before Charing Cross station, take a right down Craven Street. This road emerges at the bottom of Northumberland Avenue next to the Playhouse Theatre. To your left, you’ll see the steps up to the Golden Jubilee Footbridge
Cross the footbridge and turn right along the South Bank. You’ll follow the Thames Path all the way from here to Battersea Power Station
The path goes slightly inland along the Albert Embankment - just follow the road until you see Vauxhall station ahead of you, cross the road and Vauxhall Bridge and follow signs on your left to the Thames Path
At Battersea Power station, the layout of the area is constantly changing as it’s being developed. At time of writing, you need to head away from the river at Kirtling Street (the path joins this road) and then turn right at Cringle Street back towards the river - and the Power Station
When you reach Circus Road East turn right to the river front entrance to the power station to continue on the walk onto stage 4 or if finishing turn right to go to Battersea Power Station tube
SECTION 4: BATTERSEA TO COLLIERS WOOD
Distance 7.2 miles / 11.5 km
Battersea Power Station I Battersea Park I Peace Pagoda I Thames Path I St Mary’s Church I River Wandle I King George’s Park I Wandle Meadow Nature Park
ROUTE DETAILS
Start Battersea Power Station – Northern Line
End Colliers Wood – Northern Line
Difficulty Easy
Length 7.2 miles / 11.5 km
Average time 2.5-3.5 hours
Total ascent 50ft
Section 4: Directions
If coming from Battersea Power station tube, exit, turn left and follow the pedestrian path to Battersea Power station. Turn right by the side of the station on Circus Road East and walk to the front of the Power station facing the river
Once in front Battersea Power Station facing the Thames turn left and walk straight on to follow the Thames Path under a rail bridge and then under Chelsea Bridge via a metal walkway to enter Battersea Park
Follow the path as it curves left and turn right to follow the Thames Path. Continue across Battersea Park close to the river passing the Peace Pagoda to your left, and exit the park through a perimeter gate and on to Albert Bridge Road
Cross the road with care and continue straight on down a ramp to stay on the river path. Keep going straight and after a while taking another ramp or stairs up to cross Battersea Bridge Road
Continue on by the river walkway and at St Mary’s Church walk through the church yard to stay on the Thames Path. Keep following the river path until you cross a wooden walkway, and are required to turn left away from the Thames by a high metal fence to skirt around a Helipad. Turn right to pass by the London Heliport Hotel and right again to go back to the river and continue left along the Thames Path
Follow the river route to Wandsworth Bridge Road and pass underneath to a cobbled street called Jews Row. Immediately after the Ship pub turn right to go back to the Thames and left to continue on
Go on until and turn left at a Thames Path sign close to a large waste refuse centre. When you reach the road Smugglers Way, turn right to walk in front of the refuse centre, and straight on until the road turns into a track and crosses a river - the Wandle
Turn immediately left after this first bridge to walk inland with Wandle to your left on a wide tarmac track. Continue on until you see a ramp up to a main road and turn left on to the busy Armoury Way. Walk left along the road until the traffic lights cross right over Armoury Way and go straight ahead into Ram Street
Turn very soon right down a pedestrian walkway signed Chivers Passage and continue straight on until you reach the Wandle. Turn left and follow the river until you see a pedestrian footbridge, turn right over the river and then immediately left and cross the main road to Southside Shopping Centre
Go straight ahead down Buckhold Road with Southside to your left and follow the road as it curves right until you come to King George’s Park. Enter through the new corner park entrance (still being built at time of writing) and walk diagonally into the park keeping the lake to your left
Follow the edge of the lake straight on passing the tennis courts and then turn left onto the paved cycle track. Continue on to the edge of the park and then turn right in the park keeping on the cycle track signposted “Earlsfield Morden”
Continue straight on here with the Wandle on your left until you see a ramp and steps straight ahead, go up here and turn left to continue on the cycle track by the river
After a while you exit the park, cross Kimber Road and back into parkland to keep on the Wandle Trail. Continue on until you see a block of flats ahead and a sign on railings Fosters Way, turn left here and just before the bridge turn right to continue by the river with the flats to your right
Follow this walkway (Riverdale Drive) by the river and as it curves to the right, and meets Knaresborough Drive. Turn left her and left again onto Strathville Road, turn right to stay on this road when you see the river to your left
Turn left onto Penwith Road (briefly joining the Capital Ring) cross the Wandle Continue straight on and at the end turn right on the busy Garratt lane. Go straight on by Earlsfield station and then first right into Summerley Street
Follow this quiet road until you see a sign “Riverside Walk” turn right here, cross the Wandle (again!) and turn immediately left to carry on the river path with the Wandle to your left
Keep going and don't be tempted to turn right into Weir Road Industrial Estate. Cross the busy Plough Lane at the pedestrian crossing and go straight on to walk now with the Wandle to your right
Continue on and under a railway bridge. Keep straight on and don’t turn right into Wandle Meadow. The path emerges on a quiet road, with houses to your left. Don't turn right into the park here but carry straight on along Chaucer Way, cross North road and then take the next footpath right and diagonally across Wandle Meadow Nature Park
Ahead there is a wooden footbridge. Go up the steps and cross the Wandle and then immediately turn left onto a small path by the river. Continue on until the River Wandle goes into a tunnel and emerges onto Byegrove Road, turn left here and then right into Wandle Park by the white Lodge
Take the middle path and follow it ahead to the reeds and then right as it curves round and left over a wooden bridge. Go straight over another bridge and turn slightly left to exit the park almost opposite Colliers Wood tube station
SECTION 5: COLLIERS WOOD TO CARSHALTON
Distance 6.1 miles / 9.8 km
Deen City Farm I Merton Abbey Mills I Wandle River I NT Morden Hall Park I Watermeads Nature Reserve I Watercress Park I The Grove I Carshalton Park
Merton Abbey Mills: Photo credit from Wikipedia
ROUTE DETAILS
Start Colliers Wood – Northern Line
End Carshalton Beeches – Southern trains
Difficulty Easy
Length 6.1 miles / 9.8 km
Average time 2.5-3.5 hours
Total ascent 233ft
Section 5: Directions
Starting from Colliers Wood tube station, exit and turn left down the A24 towards the big tower block, keep straight on past here, cross the main road to continue straight on into Merton High street
Take the next left into Priory Retail Park keeping “Kiss Me Hardy” pub to your right. Immediately after the pub turn right along a path keeping the car park to your left
Ahead of you is a footbridge across the Wandle. Cross here and walk straight on keeping the Wandle River to your right until you reach another footbridge, with a large shopping centre to your left
Turn right over the bridge and then immediately left to continue beside the Wandle. Carry on until you reach the dead end Station Road, go through the small archway in the wall ahead (signed Merton High St and Wandle Park) and cross at pedestrian lights over the A24 and straight on to continue on the Wandle Trail
To your left is Merton Abbey Mills, keep going straight on the track, cross the next road and along a driveway signed “Deen City Farm” . At the end of this driveway you will see Deen City Farm entrance to your right. Continue straight on down a track with the Wandle to your left and then follow the path round to the right, over a small stream and immediately left to reach the tram line pedestrian crossing, take care crossing here then go straight ahead into Morden Hall Park
Take the first path to your left onto the Wetland Boardwalk. Follow this winding path through reed beds and at the end of the boardwalk turn left along the tarmac path and across two footbridges over streams. Go straight on with the Wandle parallel to your left
Turn next left over to cross the water on a white iron bridge. Keep straight on the path on a wide track and follow it round to the right between an avenue of trees
Exit Morden Hall Park through a gate in the perimeter fence onto Morden road. Cross over and turn right until you see a sign indicating Ravensbury Park. Turn left here with the Wandle to your right
Follow the path turning right over a small bridge and straight on until there is a small rise and a second bridge to your right. Cross here and carry straight on with the Wandle River now to your left and right and cross another bridge. Continue on with houses appearing to your left
Just before exiting Ravensbury Park, turn immediately right over a wooden bridge. Exit the park, turn left and cross London road and enter Watermeads Nature Reserve. Follow the path straight on and over small bridges, past a weir keeping the Wandle to your left
Follow the path as on and then as it curves round to the right until you come to two bridges, continue straight on the left hand bridge until you come to another Watermeads sign and turn left here to exit the park
Go straight ahead on the earthen path (can be muddy ) which soon changes into a tarmac path with the Wandle on your left. Continue straight on, until you go over a small humped bridge and exit the river path through metal barriers and out into a driveway with houses on your right
Follow until you emerge at the busy Goat Road. Turn right following the Wandle signs and cross over the road left at the pedestrian crossing and straight on to the shared cycle track
The tarmac cycle path continues on for a while until there is a bridge over the Wandle. Cross left over the river and then keep right to stay on the trail keeping the green railings to your left
Keep straight on with the Wandle now to your right. Exit onto Culver Avenue, cross the road and back on the Wandle Trail
Follow the path with houses appearing on your left and exit onto a busy road, turn right, cross over the road and you will see a small park garden to your left. Turn left diagonally across this garden and back to the Wandle (now on your left) follow this path until it emerges onto the quiet Mill Lane. turn left along here with houses to your right and under a railway bridge
Pass a Mill shop and then take a cycle track on your left labelled “Carshalton Ponds.” Continue straight on here (Wandle to left) until the end when you will see a sign to Carshalton Ponds, turn left here and into Grove Park
Keep right to continue walking parallel to Wandle River, passing a small waterfall until You will come to Carshalton Ponds. Turn left here and follow the path straight on signed Beddington Park keeping Grove House to your left
Very soon you’ll come to a sign on your right saying “Wandle Oaks Link” Turn right here through a doorway in the wall and walk straight ahead to the High St. Cross the pedestrian crossing by the Co op and turn left along the High Street and first right into Carshalton Place
Continue straight on with the empty water channel to your left. Cross a small bridge and straight on until you get to the main road. Cross the road and enter Carshalton Park
Go straight on towards the stone grotto ahead keeping the old water channel to your left. When you reach the grotto take the stone steps immediately to the right of it up to a path towards the park edge railings. Turn right here to stay in the park, walk parallel to the railings and then exit the park at the middle exit onto Ashcombe Road
Turn right here and first left into Park Avenue. Continue along here for a short while and take a pathway between houses to the right with a bridleway sign. Follow this path which curves round to the left until it emerges on a road. Go straight on, ahead of you will see the entrance to Stanley Park if you are continuing the route towards Brighton
If finishing here, turn right into Gordon road and follow this road along until you see Carshalton Beeches station on your left
Awesome! You have now completed the North to South London Trail!!
With big thanks to the amazing Emily Morrison and Lucy Maddison of The Walking Post for their incredible gift to all of us!
Hope you enjoy!
Happy Hiking!
Marc
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