How to do the Parkland Walk in North London

The Parkland walk is the longest nature reserve trail in London. Located in North London, it runs from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, following the old railway line. The railway tracks aren’t there today, but along the route you will pass by remnants of the past.

An old railway platform surrounded by trees and bushes along the Parkland walk in North London. — An old railway platform

What to expect on the walk

The Parkland walk is an easy route along a wide dirt trail, lined with trees and bushes the whole way. There are informations boards here and there (but not enough in my opinion) telling you about the history, and some of the trees, birds, and insects (yuk) along the trail.

A path leading through the dense woodland on Parkland Walk south. There is a person walking ahead on the path.

An information board for the history of the Parkland walk.

A blank information board with graffiti on it, sitting infant off a metal railing and bushes. — This one was very informative

You will see old railway ruins, and some impressive views of the London skyline. When I describe the walking route further down, I will tell you about all of it.

Looking over the rooftops to a view of the skyscrapers of London, partway through the Parkland Walk.

Looking over the tree tops and houses, with a view to the skyscraper and London Shard in the distance, at the end of the Parkland Walk.

The Parkland walk is actually divided into two sections. Parkland Walk South (the longer section) and Parkland Walk North (the shorter section). Highgate (and Highgate Wood) is in between the two sections.

Highgate Wood is a 70 acre ancient woodland, and is thought to have been around since the Roman times. If you like your trees and shrubs, then these woods have over 50 species of them.

A wide path leading through Highgate wood, with a person walking his dog.

The Highgate section does involve a little bit of road walking, but the rest is pretty much nature.

How long is the Parkland walk?

The Parkland walk trail is just under 4 miles long, however, you will end up walking about 5 miles from station to station.

There is an option to make it shorter though. Highgate is the midway point (between the north and south sections), which takes you past Highgate Underground Station if you would like to end/start the walk there.

If you want to pick one section, but aren’t sure which one, you will find more railway history and bigger trees on Parkland Walk South, and more impressive views plus Highgate Wood on Parkland Walk North.

Logistics

Start: Finsbury Park Station
Finish: Alexandra Palace Station
How to get there: Finsbury Park Station is on the London Underground (Victoria and Piccadilly lines) and National Rail Great Northern. Alexandra Palace Station is National Rail Great Northern. Alexandra Palace and Finsbury Park are 3 stops apart on the Great Northern line. What I did is buy a return ticket to Alexandra Palace on Trainline, then got off a few stops earlier and Finsbury Park.
Distance: 4.9 miles
Time: It took me about 1h40 min to complete
Terrain: Dirt trail, maybe some mud, road, some steps.
Difficulty: Easy
Dog friendly: Yes

Amenities along the Parkland Walk

At the start of the walk by Finsbury Park station, there is a Tesco and Lidl nearby. Apparently there is a toilet in the station, but I couldn’t find it.
By the old railway platform on Parkland walk South, off the trail is the Merro Cafe which is dog friendly. It’s signposted.
Around Highgate there are a few cafes and pubs.
In Alexandra Park you will walk past the Grove Cafe, which is open Thursday-Sunday. There is the Phoenix Bar and Pizzeria at Alexandra Palace.
Opposite Alexandra Palace Station is a highly rated pub called The Starting Gate.

A blackboard sign pointing towards a cafe, sitting in front of a wall of graffiti.

Map for the Parkland Walk Route

If you like old railway line walks, just outside of London you could try this one along the Worth Way.

Route Description for the Parkland walk

After you exit Finsbury Park station, turn left and head into Finsbury Park. There is a big sign outside saying ‘cycle park’.

A sign saying 'Cycle Park' on a black painted brick wall.

A short way along, take the left trail off the main path and walk all the way to the end, then turn left.

A walking path, with a winding path leading off it to the left, and metal railings with plants below it to the right. There are people walking along the paths ahead. — Take the left trail just ahead

A path winding ahead through the grass in Finsbury Park. There is a wall of trees ahead in the distance.

The path leading to a bridge with metal railings engulfed by bushes and fern. — This is after the next left turn

Once over the bridge, take the first right, which is the start of the Parkland walk.

A wide gravel dirt trail, with a graffiti covered brick walled budding on the right, and trees and bushes to the left. — The start of the Parkland Walk trail

Parkland Walk South

Before heading out on the Parkland Walk, I did a bit of research into what I would see. Basically lots of trees and insects. I wasn’t interested in the insects and would rather prefer they weren’t there, so I focused on the trees. I read about the types of trees and history, only to realise that once I got there I had no idea what I was looking at.

A wide path with puddles, lined with trees and bushes.

From my research I can tell you that there are a mix of native English trees, and non native trees which probably ‘escaped’ from one of the neighbouring gardens. One such tree is the Stag’s Horn Sumach, from North America. It’s twigs are covered in soft brown hairs, like antlers of a stag.

I couldn’t see it. Maybe I didn’t look hard enough.

Although, I did have other things on my mind. I needed a wee. When out walking in the countryside, it’s easy to find a hidden spot to go. Not so much here. The trail is lined with houses on both sides, and the trees weren’t thick enough to block the view. In summer when things are more bushy, it might work. But not now, in the heart of winter. I would have to hold it.

Looking through the trees to a row of houses just about visible, near the start of the Parkland Walk.

Views and old railway stuff

Some way along, you will get a view across the rooftops, and to the BT tower in the distance.

Looking down along a street lined with houses, and a view to the BT tower in the distance.

Next there is a bridge with these platforms which I felt so sure must be part of the old railway. Now I’m not so sure. I can’t find anything concrete about it online.

The walking path leading through a platform with a metal wall covered in graffiti.

The next part is the real deal though. After passing some graffiti covered brick archways, you will reach a junction. Take the right, then further along just past some more graffiti covered brick archways, you will reach the old railway platforms. This felt pretty cool, partially engulfed by greenery. Nature claiming back its land.

A wide path with a brick archway wall to the right, covered in graffiti and fern, partway through the Parkland Walk.

A split in the walking path, lined with leading trees. — Take the right here

A path leading ahead towards and old railway platform on the Parkland Walk in North London. There are brick archways to the right, and trees and bushes engulfing the platform ahead.

The wide path leading towards and under a brick bridge covered in graffiti.

Past the platforms and under the interesting looking bridge, you will reach some ruins of a wall, with the roots of an old sycamore tree sticking out of it. It’s not known exactly what this was, but the consensus is that it was a building associated with the railway.

Brick wall ruins, with the roots of an old sycamore trees growing out of it along the Parkland Walk.

The big trees

Continuing on the trail, it feels very different along here. The trees get bigger, and it feels more and more like you are out in some forest in the countryside. You will come across an information board telling you about the trees you see. One of these would have been useful earlier.

An information board telling you about some of the trees along the Parkland Walk.

A wide dirt path leading through the woods, with a leaning tree on the right and wooden bench below it.

The wildlife trail and bats

Near the end of Parkland Walk South, you will pass a garden like area to the right. This is the wildlife trail biodiversity project. It’s maintained by volunteers every Wednesday. Interestingly, today was Wednesday. I watched them working for a moment, then one suggested I joined in. I gave a little chuckle, then left.

Looking into the wildlife biodiversity project area with plants and trees.

Just next to the conservation area, is an information board which warns you that you might get lost trying to find Parkland Walk North. It explains a few route options to get there. But don’t worry, I will show you.

An information board with a map of the Parkland Walk local Nature reserve,

Before you leave Parkland Walk South though, there is one last thing. The bats. Just before the trail leads up towards the road, there is an open area to the right, which leads to some old railway tunnels. I have read that the access is blocked by bars, but you can spot some bats from them. I didn’t go over to look, as the ground was a bit wet.

Looking across a muddy wet area surrounded by bushes and trees.

A wide dirt path leading up towards a road. There are trees and bushes on the right side.

Highgate

When you reach the road, turn right. Then at the blue walled building, turn right onto the main road. The blue building is the Boogaloo. This brought back memories. This area is actually my old neck of the woods. I used to live a few minutes walk down the road.

Looking towards the main road with cars driving along it, and a blue coloured building on the right corner. — Turn right on the main road

Continue along the main road, passing by Highgate Station.

The pavement with a flower bush island with red flowers, and a sign on the black pole pointing the direction for Parkland Walk North. There is ba red London Underground sign to the left.

Fun Fact: Jerry Springer was born in Highgate Station, during World War II (it was used as a bunker).

It’s also a great station if you want to do stair training (if you don’t mind the air quality). Many moons ago when I was training for a race that would involve lots of stairs, this was the best place I could find in London with lots of steps (118) in a straight line up. Hampstead station does have more steps, but they wind up, which isn’t fun.

When you reach the Woodman Pub, turn right, then a short way down the hill take the left opening into Highgate Wood.

A brown information board for the Woodman, on a white painted brick wall.

Looking across the road to a wooden fence and opening, into a mass of woodland on the other side. — That’s the entrance to Highgate Wood

Highgate Wood

Upon entering Highgate Wood, there are a couple of options. Take the right trail. You can explore the woods more if you want, but I chose to keep things simple and stay walking along the edge. It’s easy to get lost in woods. I’ve got lost in these woods before.

A fork in the wide dirt path, surrounded by leafless trees. — Take the right here

A dirt path leading ahead through Highgate wood with leafless trees.

When you reach the next junction, take the right, and you can now follow this path right to the end.

A junction in the dirt paths, surrounded by leafless trees. There is a person walking through the middle of the junction. — Take the right here

But first, you will pass by the Highgate Wood Lodge. It was built in 1886 and designed by the same guy that did Leadenhall and Old Billingsgate Market. It was built as the home of the Highgate Wood’s head keeper, and to this day is still used as accommodation by staff.

The Highgate wood Lodge just visible through the trees and bushes ahead. — Highgate Wood Lodge

Now make your way along the path all the way to the very end, and turn right to exit at Cranley Gate.

A wide path leading through a mass of trees with tall trunks in highgate Wood.

A dirt path t-junction in the woods, with two people and their dog walking along it. — Exit here on the right

A big black sign for Highgate Wood Cranley Gate, with the London Crest,

Once you exit, cross over the road and turn left. At the first road on the right, you will see a Parkland Walk North sign pointing along it. This is confusing. Don’t take this road, but instead look across the other side and you will see the entrance to Parkland Walk North.

Parkland Walk North

Upon entering, walk down the steps and turn right. You will now be back on a tree lined trail. Along here there is a small wall platform type thing. I feel like this must be something to do with the old railway, but again, I can’t find anything about it online, so I will just pretend.

Looking down some curved steps, surround bus bushes and trees with fern. There is a wooden bench on the left.

Some wall ruins on the dirt back, surrounded by fern.

After a bit of walking, you will reach a bridge. I have read that this is an impressive archway bridge, which really doesn’t mean much if you are walking along it as you can’t see any of that. What you do get from here is the best view so far of the Parkland Walk. Way in the distance you can see the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, and next to it, the City of London and the Shard.

A wide dirt path leading through thew woods, with trunks covered in fern.

A women with red hair walking three dogs along the path over the bridge, There is a brick wall on the left, and a black bin on the right.

Looking over the red rooftops towards a view of the London skyline and skyscrapers in the distance, near the end of the Parkland Walk North.

Alexandra Park and Palace

When you reach the bridge tunnel, walk though it. The path will curve right, the straight ahead are the gates of Alexandra Park. Go in there.

The dirt path leading towards and through a bridge tunnel which is painted bright green and covered in graffiti.

The walking path leading though a gate lined with bushes. — Walk through there

In Alexandra Park, when you reach the first junction, take the left. Then at the next junction a bit further along, go left again. Along here you will get your first view to the top of Alexandra Palace.

A fork in the walking path, with a green in the middle and trees ahead. — Go left here

A fork in the walking path with a big green leafy bush in the middle. — Then go left here

A path winding down the hill, m lined with trees, and a view to a tower of Alexandra palace visible through the tree branches.

At the car park, take the path along the left side of it, then at the bottom, cross over the path and onto the trail directly opposite.

An empty car park on the right, and a path alongside it on the left. — Take this path

A dirt path leading though some hedges and bushes. — Then go up this one

When you reach the road, walk up it towards Alexandra Palace. Alexandra Palace is a sports and entertainment centre. So depending on when you do this walk, it could be packed and full of people, or completely empty. Back in the day I have been to gigs, and ice skating here.

When you reach Alexandra Palace, continue walking along the right edge. You will have a view to the London skyline again, but it gets better in a moment.

A road leading up towards Alexandra Palace.

Continue walking along the edge to reach the long walkway where you will get all the views of the skyscrapers in the distance. Including the Shard again. There are those binocular things here if you want a closer look at the views.

A wide walkway with The brick walled Alexandra Palace to the left and blue railings to the right. There is a person walking along the walkway ahead.

Walk to Alexandra Palace Station

To get to the station, continue along the walkway to the other side, then cut diagonally across the car park.

You now want to walk on the path directly opposite the Alexandra Palace East Court entrance. It will take you past a fountain, and down down the hill.

A man walking pushing a pram along wide path, lined with strips of green grass and trees. — You want to take this path

The east court entrance to Alexandra Palace. — Opposite this

A wide path leading towards a fou Tain. There are two wooden benches on the edges of the path. There are tall green neatly cut bushes around the fountain.

A path leading straight down the hill, lined with neatly cit grass and a wall of trees ahead at the bottom.

At the bottom, you can turn right, then left. I instead stayed straight onto the dirt trail. I really needed that wee still, and it looked more hidden this way.

A dirt trail lined with trees with fern covering the trunks.

It was a good place for a wee, but it’s also quite muddy, so if you want less mud, take the other route. If you take this route, keep following the trail to reach the road later on. When you reach the road, turn left. Then walk for a little along the path next to the road.

A muddy trail covered in fallen orange leaves, lined with bushes and trees.

The dirt trail leading to the main path and road. — You should end up here whichever way you went

The entrance to the station is a bit hidden. Look out for a small opening in the railings on the right. This will lead you straight to Alexandra Palace Station.

Two people walking along a narrow passage toward Alexandra Park Station, with a blue metal railing on the left and green leaves covering the railings to the left.

More similar walks

For more of a nature feel in London, you might like the Little Venice to Camden trail. It’s a short easy route taking you along the Regents Canal, and alongside Regents Park. Or you can do the big boy and walk the whole of the Regents Canal.

My favourite for nature in London is the Richmond to Hampton Court route. This one follows the River Thames, and definitely doesn’t feel like you are in London. You should see a lot of deer on this one.

If you would like to see more of the London skyline, then this one to Primrose Hill won’t disappoint. It’s one of the prime spots in the city for views.

If you fancy seeing the city closer up, then I recommend the Jubilee Walkway City of London route. This one takes you on a journey between the old and new, featuring Roman remains, and one of the oldest pubs in the city.

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Parkland walk longest nature reserve in London. 5 mile easy walk.

Walk the longest Nature reserve trail in London.