Last updated: 8 March 2024

Next review: 20 February 2025

Why walk

Walking has a huge range of benefits including:

  • Physical health - for a longer life expectancy, more energy, stamina, improving core muscle strength, and boosting the immune system.
  • Mental health - for a mood enhancer, stress and anxiety reliever, better sleep, improved memory and a way of calming your mind.
  • For your neighbourhood - every journey walked means less by car, improving air quality and fostering a sense of community.

Waltham Forest Wanders

Discover Waltham Forest with our walking and cycling trails showcasing a number of famous people and places in the borough and sharing some of Waltham Forest’s lesser-known secrets.

The nine routes can be followed on your own or with family and friends and are a great way to learn more about our borough while enjoying the great outdoor spaces and finding new favourite places.

There are nine routes to choose from:

Download the full guide or the individual routes by clicking on the links above, or view them on our Living Map.

Please note that the Vestry House Museum is currently closed for works, and will reopen in early 2026.

Feel good walks

Our Feel Good Walks are suitable for anyone to join and are FREE. They provide a great way for you to get out and about, meet new people and explore some of the beautiful green spaces Waltham Forest has to offer.

Walks are led by trained volunteers and take place across the borough with options for shorter and slower-paced walks. Find out more on the Ramblers' wellbeing walks website or by emailing feel.good@walthamforest.gov.uk

2024 Programme

Mondays

(No walks on Bank Holidays)

Friday Hill, Chingford

Every Monday 11am to 12pm: Steady Pace

Meet outside The Chingdale Centre, 19 Chingdale Road, E4 6HZ

Bury Road, Chingford

Every Monday 10:30am to 11am: Gentle Stroll

Meet outside Bury Road Car Park, E4 6AR

Higham Hill Park, Leyton Orient Trust

Every Monday 11am to 11:45am: Steady Pace

Meet at Higham Hill Park, Hecham Close entrance, E17 5QS

Tuesdays

North Chingford

Every Tuesday 11am to 12.30pm: Steady Pace

Meet outside Bury Road Car Park, E4 6AR

Leyton - Gentle Stroll

Every Tuesday 11:30am to 12:30pm: Gentle Stroll

Meet at Leyton Sports Ground, E10 6PV

Leytonstone, Davies Lane

Every Tuesday 10:30 to 12pm: Steady Pace

Meet at Pastures Centre, 15 Davies Lane, E11 3DR

Thomas Gamuel Park, Leyton Orient Trust 

Every Tuesday 11am to 11:45am: Steady Pace

Meet at Stafford Hall, St Barnabus Road, E17 8JZ 

Leyton

Every other Tuesday 11am to 12:30pm: Steady Pace

Meet at KukooLaLa Cafe, Leyton Jubilee Park E10 7BL

On the alternate Tuesday, the group has an ‘away’ walk, starting in another location. Please email Feel.good@walthamforest.gov.uk for the upcoming home and away walks. 

Wednesdays

Leyton

Every Wednesday 11am to 12.30pm: Steady Pace

Meet at KukooLaLa Cafe, Leyton Jubilee Park E10 7BL

Walthamstow Village Walk 

Every Wednesday 2 to 3pm: Steady Pace

Meet at Waltham Forest Community Hub, 18a Orford Road, E17 9LN

Langthorne Park, Leyton Orient Trust

Every Wednesday 11am to 11:45am: Steady Pace

Meet at Langthorne Park, High Road Leytonstone, Park entrance E11 4YG

Thursdays

Leytonstone

Every Thursday 11am to 12.30pm: Steady Pace

Meet at Lakeside Diner, Hollow Ponds E11 1NP

Bury Road, Chingford

Every Thursday 10am to 11am: Brisk Pace

Meet outside Bury Road Car Park, E4 6AR

Coronation Gardens - Leyton Orient Trust

Every Thursday 11am to 11:45am: Steady Pace

Meet at Coronation Gardens, Leyton High Road Entrance, E10 5HG

Fridays

Highams Park 

Every Friday 11am to 12.30pm: Steady Pace

Meet at Humphrys Cafe, The Highams Park, IG8 9RF

ACA Walk

Every Friday 11am to 12pm: Steady Pace

Meet outside the Feel Good Centre, 170 Chingford Road, E17 5AA

Nordic Walking – Leytonstone

Every Friday 10am to 11:30am: Medium to Brisk Pace 

Meet outside Leytonstone Station (Church Lane side) E11 1HE

First Friday of the month there is a “Learn to Nordic Walk” walk. Participants must register in advance of attending their first walk by emailing Feel.Good@walthamforest.gov.uk 

Sundays

Walthamstow, GEM Families

First Sunday of the month 2pm to 3pm: Slow pace

Meet by the Coppermill Car Park, E17 7HG

No booking is required, just turn up on the day. 

 If you want a gentle way to get back to exercise, walking is perfect.

Meet at the grass field next to Coppermill Fields Car Park, E17 7HG

For under-represented communities in the borough, also known as "global ethnic majority families".

Parkrun

Parkrun takes place at The Peter May Centre, 135 Wadham Road, Walthamstow, E17 4HR.

Parkrun is a 5 kilometers weekly timed event open to all ages and abilities, you need to register to get your barcode and take part.

To find out more, visit the Peter May Leisure Centre website.

Junior parkrun

Junior Parkrun takes place at Leyton Jubilee Park, Marsh Lane, Leyton, London, E10 7BL

Junior Parkrun is a free, fun, and friendly, consisting of weekly 2 kilometers events for juniors aged 4 to 14 year olds.​

To find out more, send an email to leytonjubileejuniors@parkrun.com

Other walking routes and maps