Walking

Find out about walking in Waltham Forest, the benefits of walking, and how to start walking or join a walking group.

Last updated: 26 September 2023

Next review: 14 November 2023

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.

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

2023 Programme

Mondays

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 at Bury Road Car Park, E4 6AR

Leyton, Ladies only, in association with The Hornbeam

Every Monday 9.45am to 11:15am

Steady pace

Meet at KukooLaLa Cafe, Leyton Jubilee Park, E10 7BL

Tuesdays

North Chingford

Every Tuesday 11am to 12.30pm

Steady pace

Meet at Bury Road Car Park, E4 6AR

Leyton: Gentle Tuesday walk

Every Tuesday 11:30am to 12:30pm

Gentle Stroll

Meet at Leyton Sports Ground, 485 High Road, Leyton, E10 6PY

Tea and biscuits at the sports ground are provided after the walk

Walthamstow

Thomas Gamuel Park, Walthamstow in Partnership with Leyton Orient Trust

Every Tuesday from 11am to 11:30am

Steady Pace

Meeting at Thomas Gamuel Park, E17 8NP (entrance near Collingwood Road)

Finishing at Stafford Hall, E18 8JY for teas and coffees

Wednesdays

Leyton

Every Wednesday 11am to 12.30pm

Steady pace

Meet at KukooLaLa Cafe, Leyton Jubilee Park, E10 7BL

Thursdays

Leyton

Coronation Gardens, Leyton in Partnership with Leyton Orient Trust

Every Thursday weekly from 11:30am to 12pm

Steady Pace

Meet at Coronation Gardens Park entrance, E10 5PW (entrance near Buckingham Road) 

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 at Bury Road Car Park, E4 6AR

Fridays

Highams Park

Every Friday 11am to 12.30pm

Steady pace

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

This walk finishes at Coco Café on Hale End Road, E4 9PB

Sundays

Walthamstow: GEM family walk

First Sunday of the month

2pm to 3pm

Slow pace

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

Waltham Forest living map