Connect Walthamstow with Slow Ways
We’re creating a network of walking routes that connect all of Britain’s towns, cities and national parks
more survey is needed to fully connect Walthamstow to the verified network. Can you give a hike and help?
Give a hike!Walthamstow
Greater London
Slow Ways linking Walthamstow and Chigwell, Dalston, Enfield Town, Ilford, Loughton, Stratford, Wood Green
England / Greater London / Walthamstow
Walthamstow’s seven Slow Ways are 96% checked
Help connect Walthamstow
Many Slow Ways have several route options. Some will be better than others, or good for different reasons.
Our goal is for each Slow Way to have at least one route that is verified and surveyed. To be verified – and get its snail badge – a route needs at least three positive reviews.
Give a hike and help get a for every one of Walthamstow’s Slow Ways.
Walk to Walthamstow from further afield
Slow Way | Route | To do | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dalston—Walthamstow
|
Dalwal one |
|
2 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 8km/5mi | Ascent 37m | Descent 40m | ||
Dalston—Walthamstow
|
Dalwal two |
|
U U |
|
Survey me | Distance 8km/5mi | Ascent 21m | Descent 24m | ||
Enfield Town—Walthamstow
|
Enfiwal one |
|
2 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 11km/7mi | Ascent 49m | Descent 56m | ||
Enfield Town—Walthamstow
|
Enfiwal two |
|
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 14km/9mi | Ascent 55m | Descent 64m | |
Walthamstow—Chigwell
|
Walchi one |
|
|
U U |
|
Double check | Distance 9km/6mi | Ascent 89m | Descent 70m | |
Walthamstow—Chigwell
|
Walchi two |
|
4 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 12km/8mi | Ascent 162m | Descent 143m | ||
Walthamstow—Ilford
|
Walilf one |
|
U U |
|
Survey me | Distance 9km/5mi | Ascent 45m | Descent 56m | ||
Walthamstow—Ilford
|
Walilf two |
|
3 X |
|
Review me | Distance 9km/5mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Walthamstow—Stratford
|
Walstr one |
|
1 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 9km/6mi | Ascent 46m | Descent 64m | ||
Walthamstow—Loughton
|
Waltlou one |
|
|
U U |
|
Double check | Distance 11km/7mi | Ascent 133m | Descent 130m | |
Walthamstow—Loughton
|
Waltlou two |
|
|
4 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 12km/7mi | Ascent - | Descent - | |
Wood Green—Walthamstow
|
Woodwal one |
|
1 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 8km/5mi | Ascent 44m | Descent 43m |
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Walthamstow and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?
This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!
Collective progress
81% of Walthamstow’s seven route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified
12/12
12/12
7/12
8/12
21 people have contributed to Walthamstow’s Slow Ways
8 people have pledged to walk and review a route
7 people have surveyed a route in Walthamstow
119km out of 119km have been walked and reviewed
350km of reviews have been shared in Walthamstow
Latest Updates
The Walthamstow start was busy with a market, and the Stratford side busy with people hurrying home....
Derick Rethans
Good use of green space, wide paths in some areas, quite narrow and overgrown in others....
Strider
As Daisy mentions, despite being very suburban, she has managed to include some really great patches of green. I particularly enjoyed Claybury Park and the few moments I got along side the river Roding and I spotted some lovely wildlife by the water....
Dan Barron
Once entering the path following alongside the reservoir there is no lighting so if walking during the evening would recommend bringing a torch. Upon entering Ponders end the path underfoot returns to tarmac, there is a bridge to cross the A1055 which does have both steps and a ramp to cross. In totality the walk too around 3.5 hrs to complete with the path just stretch that is in the best shape after Lea Valley Viaduct....
Jack
I walked this route from Stratford to Walthamstow, It is busy at the beginning and end, but wonderfully quiet in the middle section. All of this is on paved footpaths or shared cycle lanes, although there is an alternative (potentially muddier) footpath in the hackney marshes. just the last stretch is actually alongside roads....
andrea weyand
The biggest issue for me were the two sub-par road crossings but my own experience wasn't bad I just wouldn't recommend them without putting a warning, the route description is better since any review will eventually drop below a list of more recent ones. Being enjoyable is a subjective criteria, and the varied (semi-)natural habitats (Claybury Park and the riverbank on top of Epping Forest) and the variation in neighbourhood character achieve that for me, and avoiding walking beside busy roads is also important. The missing part starts from the meadow in Epping Forest by Chelmsford Road and ends where this route leaves the bank of the Roding in Woodford....
Daisy C
Daisy C added Walchi two, a new walk from Walthamstow to Chigwell
Walk this routeThere is no need to add detail to other reviews but I loved the variety of neighbourhoods and the bits of nature which persist in the midst of urban development....
Philip Le Marquand
It's a great route connecting two busy urban centres with some lovely green space in East London...
Dan Barron
I didn't actually walk the next bit along Pymmes Brook between Ferry Lane and Stonebridge Lock as I was exploring the reservoirs and the parallel towpath on the River Lea Navigation, but I think it'd make a better route overall. The northern part of Tottenham Marshes was unexpectedly wild, unlike Hackney Marshes further south on the River, so adding more breaks up the towpath sections. Because further south I'd also walked the river towpath, instead of the marshes like this route, the river got pretty samey by the end. And the northern part goes through a conservation area, probably quieter and prettier than the road walking on the northern part of this route....
Daisy C
Daisy C added Enfiwal two, a new walk from Enfield Town to Walthamstow
Walk this routeThis is a great route and quite accessible; although there are some steep ramps over foot bridges, and a low bridge (1.5m high) to duck under....
Slow Ways Darren
A really great route that mostly goes through green spaces and backroads! Defo recommend...
Saira
This is a great route going through plenty of green space, along the river and past the marshes and through Hackney Downs too. There is a low bridge that many people will have to stoop to walk under at the marshes end of Coppermill Lane....
Dan Barron
In the depths of Winter this was quite a muddy route, although it wasn't ever very deep....
Slow Ways Darren
You can't cross the Greenman Roundabout following a straight line, you can't go through Henry Reynolds Gardens, the gates are locked on the North side, you Can't walk through Bush Wood in a straight line, the path past The Heronry Pond does not go through the woods, the way across and out of Wanstead Park is inaccurate. But if you can find your way, the walk goes through some nice roads and lots of green space....
Strider
After a busy road the path goes through quiet streets to trendy Walthamstow Village with few cars. This is followed by a long cycle path past Whipps Cross Hospital between parkland and a busy road....
Strider
It is best to go with adequate supplies, although there are several places you can usually obtain refreshments on route in good weather including the Humphrey's Cafe at The Highams Park, clearly signposted and visible just off the route. Most of the route is popular with local cyclists in good weather, but presents a challenge in wetter conditions....
Liz R
A really enjoyable walk that takes in the marshes, River Lee, and Millfields Park and Hackney Down green spaces. The route is mainly paved or gravel track, however parts of Hackney Marsh are grassland....
Tom
On parks, Belmont Recreation Ground has a dedicated picnic area, Downhills Park has an ornamental garden, and there's also the wetland with associated wildlife off Forest Road....
Tom
I wandered off the route on one or two occasions but easily found my way back - in places, there are intersecting paths. A very enjoyable and varied route on a summer's day....
John Scott
great route from Stratford to Walthamstow almost entirely off road with distinct sections that add interest - Hackney Marshes, the canalside, Walthamstow Marshes and heaps of blackberry picking opportunities in the summer and places to stop for picnic...
Kate Shurety
More suburban streets to a large open field alongside a noisy A10, Over the A10 using a foot bridge with steps then along increasingly busy streets to Edmonton Green Station. Then more suburban busy streets and a circuitous route through to Walthamstow stations....
Strider
From the shopping centre and through 'quaint Walthamstow' to Wood Street station past suburban roads to the beginning of a green thread which takes you to Epping Forest. You pick up the London Loop for a while before walking along residential roads close to Loughton....
Strider
After some busy streets there are suburban roads before Hackney Downs. More suburban roads then the canal....
Strider
I walked from Walthamstow to Wood Green. It is hard to see how the green spaces could be incorporated without doubling the length of the route....
Strider
Derick Rethans added Waltlou two, a new walk from Walthamstow to Loughton
Walk this routeIt's a good idea as a route, but it was very imprecise, especially not thinking about streams and rivers. I'm uploading a different version of this, even though that was also still very very muddy....
Derick Rethans
Overall a good route that I walked from Loughton to Walthamstow....
Derick Rethans
Bit eerie at the beginning sandwiched between the cemetery and the abandoned allotments, but worth it for the chance to explore Wanstead park and Hollow pond, and a nice finish through the Walthamstow village area....
mamesjayne
Best done in reverse so that you don't finish in the hubbub of Stratford/Westfield and so that you can refresh yourself at the Coppermill pub! It's nice to follow the natural Lea/Lee through Hackney marshes rather than the navigation....
mamesjayne
I walked this route from Walthamstow to Stratford, and I really enjoyed it!...
mtormey
It's entirely on smooth pavements and almost entirely along roads but the scenery is quite varied and diverse and I really enjoyed the route overall!...
mtormey
The first, short section through Epping Forest is difficult to navigate with no obvious path taking the route shown, and for much of the year is very very muddy - wellies or similar boots are essential....
Rose
Be aware that Walthamstow marshes get very wet and in winter can be completely flooded. Also dogs are not allowed across and there is a kissing gate at the far end....
Stuart
This is a good route between Stratford and Walthamstow, although at both ends it's very busy with shops and stations....
This is a well-considered route which has a mix of pleasant off road paths, residential roads and some hard core major A roads. There are some big obstacles which have to be crossed - railway lines, the A10, the North Circular, and the River Lee valley - and the route has been well thought through to keep directness, enhance connectivity by passing railway stations, and give refreshment opportunities. The only improvement to the route that I found is the next section, along the B137 Montagu Road, which can be avoided by continuing straight on along the off-road path along Angel Walk, instead of turning right along Montagu Road. Probably wouldn't walk this route after dark, its mostly lit on the footpaths, but the marshes area is dark....
Jane Taylor
Quiet route, picking up lovely stretches of green in the area. You can also go off the route to explore Hollow Ponds and Wanstead park - both favourite spots of ours in the local area....
Pippa Winstanley
This is a great route given how densely populated/ urban the surrounding area is. A large part is off-road through Wanstead Park and other parts of Epping Forest, which are lovely. The start and finish sections are unavoidably on roads, although most of the way in Walthamstow is on quiet, pleasant streets with plenty of cafe stop opportunities....
Rose
Slow Ways added Dalwal one, a new walk from Dalston to Walthamstow
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Enfiwal one, a new walk from Enfield Town to Walthamstow
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Walchi one, a new walk from Walthamstow to Chigwell
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Walilf one, a new walk from Walthamstow to Ilford
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Walstr one, a new walk from Walthamstow to Stratford
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Woodwal one, a new walk from Wood Green to Walthamstow
Walk this routeWalthamstow’s Slow Ways starting point
Grid ref
TQ3715389022
Lat / Lon
51.58338° / -0.02182°
Easting / Northing
537,153E / 189,022N
what3words
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Walthamstow and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?
This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!
Facilities
Users have reported that the following facilities can be found within 1km of Walthamstow's meeting point
Public toilet
Wheelchair accessible toilet
Supermarket or convenience shop
Restaurant, cafe or pub
Accommodation
Accommodation for under £50 a night
Campsite
Bothy
Free wifi
Mobility scooter hire
Off-road wheelchair hire
Disabled Parking
Train station
Bus stop
Ferry
Official ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town
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