Crycat two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Around 60% is off-road and very green as it uses Crystal Palace Park and a chain of parks along the River Pool towards Catford, part of the Waterlink Way, a local walking/cycling route which is also National Cycle Network route 21, so there’s plenty of signs. From Crystal Palace Station to the river path turning you could follow the Green Chain Walk or Capital Ring signs (GCW/CR), but this route saves you a 1km loop around a neighbourhood park.

This route is essentially a tidied up version of 4-star CryCat 1 which has a strange offset in the GPX file. There are several places that may mislead, this requires less vigilance. I’ve added extra Dinosaurs, which I think the CryCat 1 reviewers also did and a safer road crossing.

The route description starts at Catford. There’s no need to cross the South Circular because there’s a foot tunnel below. The entrance is very discreetly tucked beside the London bound entrance to Catford Bridge station. Of the two stations Catford Bridge is, perversely, the one slung below the road, older and brick built. The foot tunnel comes out in Halfords car park, keep on towards Wickes then turn right into a footpath from where you’ll see the river.

This begins the Pool River Linear Park, which merges seamlessly into Riverview Park near a play area. There’s also a footbridge here over train tracks, Bellingham Station is 650m beyond that. Further along Riverview Park a side trip could include the council-funded community toilets in the Sainsbury mega-store (cafe and drive through burgers also available, plus many buses).

After the park, cross a busy road, walk through a cul-de-sac into a short wooded path which comes to Lower Sydenham Station car park. The next part is on Kangley Bridge Road through a small mixed industrial park; a few businesses use heavy vehicles and machinery. Perhaps it will feel shorter if you know in advance that it’s only for 700m.

Another riverside park gives some respite from the skip lorries, the slim River Pool Walkway, which comes out on Lennard Road. It’s pavement walking for 2km from here and if you want out New Beckenham Station is 350m east and Kent House Station is about 600m straight ahead through a park. Instead turn west/right. This is where the GCW/CR leaves and rejoins again just before Penge East Station. There’s a footbridge to cross, swap to CryBec 1 Slow Way for the step-free version. Quieter streets lie beyond, then less quiet past Penge West Station and to the main gates of Crystal Palace Park. The GCW/CR signs will take you right through the park, past the cafe and toilets, past many Dinosaurs and a steep path (13%) up to the Crystal Palace station exit.

Crystal Palace Park is locked at night (Bromley Council), the rest is lit but may feel isolated. Crystal Palace, Catford and (with a trek) at Catford Bridge have step-free platforms but I haven’t checked the other five stations. Yes, that’s correct, there are eight train stations (on five lines) along a 4mi/6.5km walk

Around 60% is off-road and very green as it uses Crystal Palace Park and a chain of parks along the River Pool towards Catford, part of the Waterlink Way, a local walking/cycling route which is also National Cycle Network route 21, so there’s plenty of signs. From Crystal Palace Station to the river path turning you could follow the Green Chain Walk or Capital Ring signs (GCW/CR), but this route saves you a 1km loop around a neighbourhood park.

This route is essentially a tidied up version of 4-star CryCat 1 which has a strange offset in the GPX file. There are several places that may mislead, this requires less vigilance. I’ve added extra Dinosaurs, which I think the CryCat 1 reviewers also did and a safer road crossing.

The route description starts at Catford. There’s no need to cross the South Circular because there’s a foot tunnel below. The entrance is very discreetly tucked beside the London bound entrance to Catford Bridge station. Of the two stations Catford Bridge is, perversely, the one slung below the road, older and brick built. The foot tunnel comes out in Halfords car park, keep on towards Wickes then turn right into a footpath from where you’ll see the river.

This begins the Pool River Linear Park, which merges seamlessly into Riverview Park near a play area. There’s also a footbridge here over train tracks, Bellingham Station is 650m beyond that. Further along Riverview Park a side trip could include the council-funded community toilets in the Sainsbury mega-store (cafe and drive through burgers also available, plus many buses).

After the park, cross a busy road, walk through a cul-de-sac into a short wooded path which comes to Lower Sydenham Station car park. The next part is on Kangley Bridge Road through a small mixed industrial park; a few businesses use heavy vehicles and machinery. Perhaps it will feel shorter if you know in advance that it’s only for 700m.

Another riverside park gives some respite from the skip lorries, the slim River Pool Walkway, which comes out on Lennard Road. It’s pavement walking for 2km from here and if you want out New Beckenham Station is 350m east and Kent House Station is about 600m straight ahead through a park. Instead turn west/right. This is where the GCW/CR leaves and rejoins again just before Penge East Station. There’s a footbridge to cross, swap to CryBec 1 Slow Way for the step-free version. Quieter streets lie beyond, then less quiet past Penge West Station and to the main gates of Crystal Palace Park. The GCW/CR signs will take you right through the park, past the cafe and toilets, past many Dinosaurs and a steep path (13%) up to the Crystal Palace station exit.

Crystal Palace Park is locked at night (Bromley Council), the rest is lit but may feel isolated. Crystal Palace, Catford and (with a trek) at Catford Bridge have step-free platforms but I haven’t checked the other five stations. Yes, that’s correct, there are eight train stations (on five lines) along a 4mi/6.5km walk