Souhar one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Good route, links woodlands and rivers across north west London, from built-up Harrow through London borderlands to semi-rural South Harefield (which is currently hosting a lot of HS2 activity).
Highlight - For anyone who doesn’t know about Ruislip Lido, this route will take you there! It’s a free beach and lake area in woodland, one of London’s best surprise secrets!

A mix of roads (mostly suburban, the road into S. Harefield at the end is the only hard core one), woods and parks. Some paths could be muddy after rain, I wore trainers but walking boots would also be appropriate. In Bayhurst woods the footpath was a better choice than the bridle path, with less churn.

It’s easy to get lost in the woods, so make sure you are equipped to get back on track with gpx and battery; or map and compass.

Plotting - as Strider points out, it’s a bit loose in a couple of places; I don’t think it would lead astray, but I did need to think through the routing in more detail for myself in two places:
at Eastcote when crossing the B466, to ensure safety and also to minimise road walking (I chose to use the path through the cricket ground, which as serendipity would have it turned out well with a match on - Middlesex vs Surrey U13s);
and in Ruislip Woods around the Mad Bess Wood cottage;
and I did get lost in the woods on the way to the Lido.

If this was a first review I would replot to correct/make clear those two sections; as there are already 2 reviews, and because overall it’s a very good route and not leading astray, I’m happy to verify it.

I walked from South Harefield to Harrow, a lovely walk with some road walking.
The mapping is sloppy in places, be aware of this and use common sense; for example: don't climb a fence and go through the school, go round it along the path. In places there are parallel and crossing paths, again, the correct route can be seen with care.
After a short bit of road it is woods for a while, round Bayhurst woods, keeping the fields in view to one side, the Ruislip Woods with beech, oak and old coppiced hornbeam. Some roads before Ruislip Nature Reserve. A few roads then muddy paths along the Pinn River, at the end there was a gate next to allotments, but no lock in evidence. A longer road section before parkland beside the Yeading Brook. The last 2km is through suburban streets approaching Harrow town center. Generally a green and lovely walk, unsuitable for wheels.

Great route through the NW of London. Surprisingly lots of green areas for the inner city. Quite muddy in parts and not suitable for road bikes or mobility, most walkers will enjoy this one, but be sure to bring your boots!.

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