The Best Running Routes in North London

For routes across the rest of London, see our full London running guide.

Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill

Distance: 5.8km (loop) | Difficulty: Intermediate | Start: Gospel Oak station (Overground) or Hampstead Heath station (Overground) | Terrain: Mixed gravel paths, grass and natural trail |

Hampstead Heath has running routes to suit most abilities, from the beginner-friendly paths near the Hampstead Heath station entrance to the longer loop that takes in the Parliament Hill summit. It’s where you go in London if you want to feel like you’re not in the city at all.

The paths wind through open grassland and woodland, and on a clear morning from Parliament Hill, you can see the city skyline spread out below you. That view is 98 metres up, and you’ll have to work for it; the climb from the lower Heath is not a gentle slope by any stretch of the imagination.

The full loop, starting from Gospel Oak or Hampstead Heath Overground, covers 5.8km on a mix of gravel paths, grass, and natural trails. If the idea of running on an uneven surface puts you off, the lower Heath paths are much flatter, covering around 2-3km.

Running here in winter presents an additional challenge: mud. Lots of it. The trails hold water badly from October until March, so trail shoes are recommended. Toilets are available near Parliament Hill Lido and open to the public

If the fitness you gain from running up all these hills gives you the confidence to train for a race, the Hampstead Heath parkrun on Saturday mornings is a great option for your first event. It starts at the Athletics Track, it’s free, and it’s one of the friendliest ways to get your first taste of racing. Find it on Find a Race.

Parkland Walk

Distance: 7.8km (one way) | Difficulty: Intermediate | Start: Finsbury Park station (Victoria/Piccadilly) | Terrain: Compacted trail, tree roots in sections, some incline |

Almost the entire Parkland Walk follows a disused railway line, so there are no cars, road crossings, or traffic noise for the best part of 8km. The old trackbed keeps you off the streets even when you're running through dense residential North London, with trees closing in on both sides.

Each end of the route feels very different in terms of terrain. The eastern section from Finsbury Park to Highgate is better maintained and therefore easier to run. The route climbs gradually as it heads north, and once you cross into Highgate, the surface gets rougher. Keep an eye out for tree roots here - the last thing you need is a twisted ankle!

It works well as a point-to-point run: start at Finsbury Park, finish at Alexandra Palace, and get the tube or train back. There’s no cafe along the route, but there is one near the Palace - perfect for a coffee and a sweet treat after the hard work is done.

Unfortunately, the route isn’t well-lit. In winter, it’s best to err on the side of caution and only visit during the day.

Regent's Canal

Distance: 7km (one way) | Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate | Start: Warwick Avenue station (Bakerloo) | Terrain: Flat towpath, paved in most sections, narrow in places |

The Regent’s Canal towpath is the flattest route in this guide. It’s useful if you’re building a base, working on pace, or just don’t fancy tackling any hills. It spans seven kilometres from Little Venice to Mile End with pretty much no elevation to speak of.

The towpath itself is mostly paved and easy underfoot, but it narrows at several points (particularly near Maida Hill tunnel and Camden Lock). Runners and cyclists share the path, so you might have to go single file at the bottlenecks. If you’re running at the weekend, I’d strongly recommend going in the morning, because by midday the stretch near Camden Market is far too busy to be fun for runners.

Like the Parkland Walk, this route works well as a point-to-point. Start at Warwick Avenue, finish at Mile End, and get the tube back. If 7km feels too short, you could carry on into Victoria Park for an extra kilometre, or pick up one of the East London routes from there if you want to keep going.

Practical notes for running in North London

Hampstead Heath and the Parkland Walk are trail surfaces, so no matter how sturdy you think your road shoes are, they will let you down here in wet weather. If you're returning from injury or keeping things easy, skip Parliament Hill, which is intimidatingly steep, and stick to the lower Heath paths instead.

Neither the Parkland Walk nor Hampstead Heath are lit after dark. In winter, both are recommended as daytime-only runs for safety reasons.

Every route here starts and finishes near a tube or Overground station. If you need to cut the canal run short, exit at Camden (Northern line) rather than continuing to Mile End.

North London running events

The Hampstead Heath parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9am. Many runners who are still learning the ropes choose a parkrun as their first race because it’s free to join and only requires you to run five kilometres. The atmosphere is always friendly, which makes a big difference when you're still building confidence.

Alternatively, the Finsbury Park 5k, 10k and Half Marathon is a great shout if you’ve been using the Parkland Walk for training and want something a bit more competitive. There’s a distance to suit all fitness levels, and you’ll get a medal at the end of it - what’s not to love?

Find more running events in North London on Find a Race.