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:
- Murder and the Orient
- Planes, bike and automobiles
- Swimmers, bakers and olympic games makers
- Arts and crafts
- A wander down the hill
- Leyton and Leytonstone
- Highams Park animal sculpture trail
- Waltham Forest's industrial past
- A tale of three boroughs
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
Walking groups in the Borough
Other walking routes and maps
- Walks Past: Free self-guided local history walks
- Wood Street Walls: Local street Art Maps
- Go Jauntly: Walking Route App
- Walk London