The 10 Best Scenic Running Routes in London
From the deer trails of Richmond Park to the sweeping skyline views of Hampstead Heath, here is your ultimate guide to running in London.
· 8 min read · Uncategorized
London is a city that reveals its true character to those on foot. While the Tube map is famous, the real map of London for runners is an interconnected web of Royal Parks, ancient towpaths, and sweeping riverfronts.
Whether you are looking for a flat, fast loop for your [marathon training plan](/run-planner) or a muddy trail to escape the city noise, London has a route for you.
Here are the 10 best scenic running routes in London, curated for runners, by runners.
1. Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens (The Classic) **Distance:** 4.3 miles (7km) loop **Vibe:** Iconic, manicured, flat. **Surface:** Paved and packed dirt.
If you only have time for one run in London, this is it. The combined loop of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens is the central nervous system of London running. You will run past the Serpentine Lake, the Diana Memorial Fountain, and Kensington Palace. The wide, tree-lined avenues are perfect for unstructured fartleks or a relaxed Sunday long run.
2. The Thames Path: South Bank to Battersea **Distance:** Variable (easily 10+ miles) **Vibe:** Urban, bustling, architectural. **Surface:** Paved.
The Thames Path offers an unbroken run along the river. Starting at the London Eye and heading west towards Battersea Power Station is an architectural highlights reel. You'll pass under historic bridges and run alongside the water. **Tip:** Run this early in the morning before 8:00 AM; later in the day, dodging tourists becomes an extreme sport.
3. Regent's Canal Towpath **Distance:** 8.6 miles (14km) one way (Little Venice to Limehouse) **Vibe:** Hidden, quirky, industrial heritage. **Surface:** Brick, cobblestone, paved.
This is London’s hidden highway. Dropping down onto the towpath from street level instantly mutes the traffic noise. You will run past colorful narrowboats, through the middle of London Zoo (you can often see the warthogs and wild dogs from the path), and past the bustling locks of Camden Market. Watch your footing under the low bridges!
4. Richmond Park (The Deer Park) **Distance:** 7.1 miles (11.4km) for the Tamsin Trail loop **Vibe:** Wild, ancient, undulating. **Surface:** Dirt trail and gravel.
Located in South West London, Richmond Park is the largest of the Royal Parks and feels entirely removed from the city. The Tamsin Trail traces the perimeter of the park, offering a brilliant mix of rolling hills and ancient oak woodland. The defining feature of Richmond Park is the resident herd of wild deer—a surreal sight on a misty morning run.
5. Hampstead Heath (Parliament Hill) **Distance:** 4-5 miles (variable trails) **Vibe:** Hilly, rugged, sweeping views. **Surface:** Mud, grass, and dirt paths.
If you need elevation, head north to "The Heath." This isn't a manicured park; it's a sprawling, semi-wild woodland. The highlight is the climb up Parliament Hill, which rewards your burning lungs with one of the most spectacular, protected panoramic views of the London skyline. Bring your trail shoes if it has been raining.
6. Victoria Park (The East End Flat) **Distance:** 2.7 miles (4.3km) outer loop **Vibe:** Community-focused, fast, flat. **Surface:** Wide paved paths.
"Vicky Park" is the spiritual home of East London running clubs. It is incredibly flat and features wide, sweeping paved paths that are perfect for hitting specific threshold paces or doing a fast 5K. The park has a beautiful boating lake, a historic Chinese pagoda, and an excellent cafe culture for your post-run flat white.
7. Battersea Park (The PB Track) **Distance:** 1.8 miles (2.9km) carriage drive loop **Vibe:** River views, tree-canopies, speed. **Surface:** Smooth tarmac.
Battersea Park is where Londoners go to run fast. The inner carriage drive is a perfectly flat, smooth tarmac loop shielded by a canopy of trees. It is the site of numerous fast 5K and 10K races. You also get a brilliant stretch along the river overlooking Chelsea.
8. The Royal Parks Loop (St James's & Green Park) **Distance:** 3-4 miles **Vibe:** Royal, historic, central. **Surface:** Paved and dirt.
If you are staying in central London and want maximum sightseeing per mile, link Green Park and St James's Park. You can run down the iconic red tarmac of The Mall, past Buckingham Palace, and around the beautiful St James's Park lake with its resident pelicans.
9. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park **Distance:** Variable **Vibe:** Modern, sprawling, Olympic legacy. **Surface:** Paved.
Built for the 2012 Olympics, this park in Stratford is a masterclass in modern landscape architecture. The paths wind around the striking London Stadium, the London Aquatics Centre, and the ArcelorMittal Orbit. The wide, sweeping paths make it excellent for long intervals.
10. Epping Forest **Distance:** Endless **Vibe:** Deep woods, challenging, muddy. **Surface:** Technical trail.
If you want true trail running without leaving Greater London, head to the end of the Central Line. Epping Forest offers thousands of acres of ancient woodland. You can run for hours under the canopy without crossing a road. It gets incredibly muddy in the winter, so proper trail shoes are mandatory.
**Ready to start planning your London training block?** Head over to our [Run Planner](/run-planner) to map out your mileage and integrate these scenic routes into your weekly schedule!