Running in London: 10 fabulous routes to explore

London is an excellent city for runners, with a diverse range of stunning routes to explore. To help you make the most of what the city has to offer, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite running spots. There’s something here for everyone, whether you prefer running in parks, along waterways, or through urban landscapes.

Lace up your trainers and head out to enjoy the sights of one of the world’s best-running cities!

Urban Landmarks

These routes are great for runners who want to soak up some of London’s cultural and historical landmarks while on the go. To make the most of your outing, head out early in the morning so that you can avoid the crowds.

Thames Path city centre loop

This is the ultimate urban route if you want to combine your run with some sightseeing. For a 5-mile (8 km) loop, you can follow the north and south river banks between Hungerford Bridge and Tower Bridge. You’ll get to take in some of London’s most famous landmarks along the way, such as the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, Big Ben, and many iconic bridges. 

Regent’s Canal

Regent’s Canal was built in 1820 and used for commercial transport until the 1960s. Nowadays, its towpath is an oasis for runners looking for a spot of calm on their runs. Start your run in Limehouse, where the canal meets the Thames, and follow it west to Angel (around 5 miles/8 km). You’ll pass hundreds of canal boats, Victoria Park, and Hackney’s Broadway Market as you fly across north London.

An alternative route forms a circular loop from Limehouse along the east London canals. Follow the Limehouse Cut Canal for a chance to visit the Olympic Stadium before continuing towards Victoria Park and back to your starting point along the Regent’s Canal. 

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Inner-city parks and nature reserves

London has a wealth of stunning green spaces, with public parks, royal parks, and numerous nature reserves. These areas are a paradise for runners and will give you the unique experience of soaking up some of the city’s cultural and historical highlights while surrounded by nature.

Richmond Park 

Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park in London and is home to around 650 free-roaming deer. The hills, woodlands, ponds, gardens, and grasslands are a peaceful respite for runners wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the city streets.

The Tasmin Trail skirts the border of the park over a distance of about 7.5 miles (12 km). Don't miss out on the wonderful view over St. Paul’s Cathedral from King Henry’s mound or the scenic panorama from the top of Richmond Hill!

Battersea Park

This is a great park to head to for a short, lively run and is located on the south bank of the Thames next to Chelsea. A loop around the park is around 2 miles (3 km) and takes you past the boating lake, bandstand, and gardens. Battersea Park is an extremely popular running destination and regularly holds 5 and 10 km racing events. 

Hyde Park

London’s royal parks were initially private hunting grounds for the monarchy. Nowadays, these spaces are open for all to enjoy, and Hyde Park is probably the most famous of them all. The park is bursting with life and history, and your run will be animated by the boaters on the Serpentine Lake, the Speaker’s Corner, and the numerous events that take place year-round. 

A loop around the park is about 3 miles (5 km), but if you fancy going further, you can combine your visit with a tour of three more royal parks: Kensington Gardens, St. James’s Park, and Green Park. This unforgettable route will take you past Buckingham Palace, the Princess Diana Memorial, and the Albert Memorial.

Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath is a wonderful oasis for runners seeking out some varied terrain and hills close to the city centre. A loop around the edge of the park is around 4 miles (6.5 km) and takes you along a mix of paved and dirt paths. You can easily lengthen or shorten your run by exploring some of the many paths that cross the Heath. 

Check out the wonderful view over the city from the top of Parliament Hill, and admire the impressive Kenwood House on the northern tip of the Heath. To round off the experience, you can take a dip in one of the bathing pools, which are open all year.

Victoria Park

London’s oldest purpose-built park is situated in Hackney, in East London. A loop around the perimeter of the park is around 2.5 miles (4 km), with highlights including the impressive Chinese Pagoda and the quaint Old English Garden. The terrain is a mix of paved paths that wind through open green spaces. 

Regent’s Park 

Regent’s Park is right in the heart of London and offers a welcome respite from the bustling streets that surround it. A scenic loop around the perimeter of the park is around 2.5 miles (4 km) and will take you past beautiful gardens, the boating lake, and London Zoo. To discover the most scenic view in London, you can cross the Regent’s Canal and run to the top of Primrose Hill.

You can also explore more of the canal, which stretches out to each side of the park. To the west, you can run towards Little Venice, with its charming narrowboats, and to the east, you can explore Camden Town and its famous market.

Epping Forest

In the northeast of London, Epping Forest boasts nearly 300 km of wonderful woodland trails and has many signposted circuits of varied distances. You can stop to have a look at Queen Elizabeth’s hunting lodge, loop around the peaceful Connaught Water Lake, or admire the rich biodiversity near Strawberry Hills Pond. If you’re feeling ambitious, a run around the perimeter of the forest is about 21 miles (40 km).

If you're heading out of central London, Chingford is probably the most practical place to start your run, as it has plenty of transport options. 

Parkland Walk

This is a beautiful linear nature reserve that follows the former railway line that connected Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace over 4.5 miles (7 km). The Parkland Walk takes you along a peaceful track surrounded by nature and is the perfect escape from busy city life.

Hungry for more?

If these ten routes haven’t completely satisfied your taste for adventure, check out the following long-distance paths right on London’s doorstep:

• Ridgeway Trail - A spectacular trail that follows a ridge of chalk hills between Avebury and Ivinghoe Beacon to the northwest of London. It’s known as ‘Britain’s oldest road’, and the route has been followed by travellers since prehistoric times.
• England Coast Path - An ongoing project aims to create a National Trail that follows the whole of England’s coastline. A new section of the England Coast Path was opened in 2022 and stretches for 49 miles (80 km) along the banks of the Thames between Woolwhich and the river’s estuary in Grain.
• Thames Path - Head east out of London towards the river’s source in the Cotswolds. The section between Marlow and Windsor is renowned for its beauty and is very easy to access from central London.
• North Downs Way - This National Trail offers 153 miles (245 km) of spectacular scenery between Farnham in Surrey and Canterbury (and the White Cliffs of Dover) in Kent.
• Greensand Way - A wonderful long-distance path between Haslemere, in Surrey, and Hamstreet, in Kent. This is a lesser-known and therefore calmer alternative to the North Downs Way, and the Greensand Ridge runs to the south, mostly parallel to its famous counterpart. The 108 miles take you through two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs.

Take your pick

Rain or shine, running in London is a unique and wonderful way to explore the city. Your feet will lead you through the city’s parks and nature reserves, along famous waterways, and past iconic landmarks. 

Now that you’ve seen what’s on offer, all that's left is to put on your running gear and head out of the door! 

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