Finchley Central—Whetstone

Finwhe one
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By a Slow Ways Volunteer on 07 Apr 2021

2X
Distance

5km/3mi

Ascent

42m

Descent

29m

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Description

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Finchley Central and Whetstone.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Finchley Central and Whetstone.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

Status

This route has been reviewed by 3 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Finwhe one

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.

Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 3

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (3)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 1

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 2X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
DescriptionNote
Grade 2: Mostly smooth and compacted surfaces, but there may be some loose gravel, muddy patches or cobbles.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.		Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Not present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Not present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Maybe present Very slippery (1)
Present at time of survey Very muddy (1)
Maybe present Very icy (1)
Not present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Not present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Not present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Not present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Not present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Not present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Not present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Not present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remove area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Not present at time of survey Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 140.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 14.0% (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 12.0% (1)

The steepest camber gradient across the path 7.0% (1)

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

25.0% of the route is on roads (1)

80.0% of the route is lit at night (1)

90.0% of the route is paved (1)

10.0% of the route is muddy (1)

There is no data on rough ground

There is no data on long grass

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1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

2X July 2021 by Strider
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Geography information system (GIS) Data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Finchley Central
Grid RefTQ2528590691
Lat / Lon 51.60114° / -0.19242°
Easting / Northing525,285E / 190,691N
What3Wordsadvice.frames.jumpy
Whetstone
Grid RefTQ2613193937
Lat / Lon 51.63012° / -0.17904°
Easting / Northing526,131E / 193,937N
What3Wordsphones.fats.small

Finwhe One's land is

Green urban 20.8%
Urban 79.2%

Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018

Reviews

Jonathan

06 Oct 2021
Report

This is a pleasant, gentle route mainly following the Dollis Valley Greenwalk between two London Underground stations on the Northern Line (Totteridge & Whetstone and Finchley Central). There is also the option to step off mid-route and access Woodside Park station if needed. The route is probably the quietest and easiest way to get between Totteridge & Whetstone and Finchley Central on foot. Most of the route is sealed, some sections have fairly new hard surfacing and one short section has not been updated recently and can get quite muddy in spots.

We walked the route both ways in October 2021. As others have said, there are a couple of places where you can walk on either side of the brook or to step off the main path down desire paths into the woods beside the brook or across open lawn areas. There are plenty of benches to sit on, allotments to admire, some great playground fun to be had and (at the Finchley end) many places to grab a coffee or lunch. All in all, it is quite a beautiful walk - especially on a sunny day!

Lovers Walk, at the Finchley end, may not be accessible to mobility scooters - there is at least one pinch point and the path itself is fairly steep and narrow in some places. However, all street crossings on the Dollis Valley Greenwalk have ramps to the kerb either on or very near the path. The route should be doable for people with standard pushchairs/buggies. Cyclists may need to find an alternative route from Finchley Central to the Dollis Valley Greenwalk, but there are plenty of quiet streets to choose from.

Strider

29 Jul 2021
Report

A lovely walk mostly along part of the Dollis Valley Greenwalk. From Finchley Central Tube Station to/from Whetstone Tube Station.
A mix of brookside woodland tracks and open park spaces with playgrounds. A few roads to cross and some short road sections but otherwise definitely a green walk. Regular benches allow you to stop, rest and watch wildlife or people.

FinchleyLiz

25 Jun 2021
Report

A rural feel to this brookside wander north from Finchley Central, despite being parallel (but two streets from )the main road.
This is one of our regular meanders, full of birds and wildlife, plants and wildlife. There are options to leave and rejoin the brook, if you want less shade and would enjoy the wide open spaces of the grassland.
It is used by regular walkers, joggers and cyclists, all polite local people who consider the children being pushed and walked and taught to cycle.
The path has been smoothed over with a substantial surface which enables smooth riding for buggies and chairs of all types, thanks to a Lottery Funding for the scheme.

  • Strider

    Strider

    02 Aug 2021

    Agreed Liz.

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