These days, you can’t walk through London without spotting runners everywhere. Some are chasing personal bests, while others want to clear their heads after work, and many are turning their daily commute into an exercise routine. In London, the city is full of amazing running routes, and trails for people to run or jog, from peaceful canal paths to challenging park trails, making it suitable for every type of runner. This blog will tell you the best running routes in London, how to choose your best running routes, and some safety tips for you! Let’s check it out!
London as a Runner-friendly City
Where to run in London? London is actually a runner’s paradise. The city blends green spaces like Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath with scenic routes along the Thames and Regent’s Canal, offering variety for every pace and distance. Many London jogging routes have well-maintained paths, clear signage, and water fountains that make long runs easy.
Best Running Routes London
Whether you are training for a marathon or just want a refreshing jog, London provides you with mix of riverside paths, scenic running tracks, royal parks, and urban trails. To help you better understand your running options in London and where to run in London, below, we have listed the 17 best places to run in London, check it out and see which one you’d love to take on.
1. Thames Path
Distances: 3.75km
Difficulty: 3/10 (All Levels)
Estimated moving time: 40 minutes (approx)
One of the best running routes in London is the Thames Path. Located in central London, so many people choose to run there. As a sightseeing route, you can enjoy the beautiful river view while jogging. You can start from Waterloo, running along the South Bank until you reach the Tate Modern, and then cross over the Millennium Bridge and run back along the river to Westminster Bridge. It’s one of the interesting running paths, you won’t feel bored or tired as you will pass famous landmarks like the London Eye, and Shakespeare’s Globe. It’s mostly flat and ideal for a quick lunchtime run if you’re working nearby. But it can get crowded as well, so it is better run in the early morning to avoid tourists.
2.Battersea Park Loop
Distances: 2.7 km
Difficulty: 2/10 (Beginner)
Located in the Battersea power station and the famous Battersea Cats And Dogs Home in South London, Battersea Park offers a picturesque 2.7 km loop blending riverside paths with lush park trails. The mostly flat, easy to navigate running paths makes it a good choice for easy runs or warm-up. With peaceful surroundings and views of the Thames, no wonder elite marathoner Anya Culling often trains here.
3.Victoria Park Loop
Distances: 7.8 km
Difficulty: 3/10 (All Levels)
Estimated moving time: 50 minutes (approx)
Victoria Park is a great running route for all levels of runners. As one of London’s largest parks, Victoria Park has one of the best running paths in London, the loop is flat, scenic, and peaceful, with wide paths perfect for maintaining your pace. It’s ideal for tempo runs or recovery jogs. You can start from the Hackney Wick Overground Station, take a turn around the stunning Chinese Pagoda or explore the Old English Garden. There are also a number of cafes for after-run refreshments, Pavillion Cafe is a good choice.
4.Canary Wharf Loop
Distances: 5 km
Difficulty: Beginners
Estimated moving time: 10 minutes (approx)
Canary Wharf Loop is a quick and easy running routes you can do. It has smooth pavements, striking skyscrapers, and a buzzing yet spacious vibe. You can start from the corner of Canada Square Park, to the Park Pavillion. The 5 km loop is flat and well-lit, perfect for speedwork or easy miles. With water fountains, clean toilets and plenty of cafes, it’s one of the good places to run in London.
5.Dulwich Park
Distances: 1.65-5km
Difficulty: Beginner
Dulwich Loop is one of the best jogging routes in London, especially if you are just starting out or want a quick jogging or running before work or in the evening. This place offers many different road options. Dulwich Park offers regular park runs for those looking for a weekly run with friends and fellow runners. Looping around the park lets you enjoy the scenic boating lake and the relaxing American Garden. When you are done, you can also grab a coffee at The Dulwich Clock Cafe (open daily 8 am -5 pm), there is also a public toilet, a relief for runners.
6.Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill
Distances: 2.58 miles
Difficulty: 5/10 (Beginner-Intermediate)
Estimated moving time: 25 minutes (approx)
Another good place to run is Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill. Since these two places are close, you can start from Regent’s Park, passing through the famous Queen Mary’s Rose Garden and onto the paths surrounding the park. The challenging part is ascending to Primrose Hill, the incline is gradual but steady, you can finish it in an hour and enjoy the epic and breathtaking view of Primrose Hill. This running route is ideal for those seeking to combine scenic park views with a bit of moderate elevation gain.
7.The Greenway Trail
Distances: 10 km
Difficulty: 6/10 (Beginner-Intermediate)
The Greenway Trail is a long, flat route that follows the Greenway, from Hackney Wick to the Olympic Park and Stratford. It’s one of the London best running routes, offering a mix of urban and green spaces, good for runners looking for a scenic, uninterrupted run with no hills or traffic to slow them down. It’s traffic-free.
8.Vauxhall Bridge to Tower Bridge
Distances: 5.9 km
Difficulty: 5/10 (Beginner-Intermediate)
The Southbank in London SE1 is one of the best places to run in London. It’s a perfect route to enjoy a morning jog while taking in some of the city’s iconic landmarks like London Eye, Tate Modern and HMS Belfast. The flat, well-paved paths ensure an easy, traffic-free run, making it one of the best running routes in London.
9.Embankment
Distances: 2.10 miles
Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate
Estimated moving time: 20 minutes (approx)
Gabriella Griffith, recommends a run along Embankment in her article “Top 5 Prettiest Lunchtime jogs and walks in London”. Starting in Westminster and ending at Blackfriars Bridge, this route lets you take in some of London’s most famous sights like the London Eye, the Ministry of Defence Building and Somerset House.
10.East London Canal Paths
Distances: 10km
Difficulty: 5/10 (Beginner-Intermediate)
Estimated moving time: 2 hours (approx)
Over in East London, you’ll find a crosshatch of the city’s canals and this towpath running route is great if you’re looking for a route that is not as busy as some of the more central routes. In the 10 km running, you will have a glimpse of Victoria Park, the Olympic Stadium, and the Limehouse Basin. You are able to enjoy the mix of industrial, historic and green landscapes as you take on this mostly traffic-free route. You can even extend your run down to the Thames and enjoy a riverside run to finish off your journey. This run is best enjoyed on the weekend, offering a great mix of urban and natural sights.
11.Royal Parks
Distances: 10.5 km
Difficulty: 4/10 (Intermediate-Advanced)
Estimated moving time: 1 hour 15 minutes (approx)
Sitting in the heart of the city, Hyde Park is the largest of the royal parks in central London. Offering world-class events and lush green walks and running routes, it’s a must-run place. There are various running route options, but one run allows you to admire the beauty of London’s four royal parks, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park, and Green Park. You can start from Kensington Gardens, near the Lancaster Gate tube station, and then head west, and turn back east in a circle along the edge of Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James’s Park, finally, back at the Lancaster Gate. This 10.5 km route allows runners to catch glimpse of Buckingham Palace, the Princess Diana Memorial, the Albert Memorial and the soothing water of the Serpentine Lake. Mostly the route is flat and traffic-free, you can run in the early morning to avoid the crowds and enjoy the cool weather.
12.The Railway Run
Distance: 7.8 km
Difficulty: Beginners-Intermediate
Parkland Walk is one of the hidden gems in London. This 7.8 km trail follows an old abandoned railway line, making it a straightforward point-to-point route. This route is popular with walkers, cyclists and the occasional dog walker, but despite its popularity, it remains a quiet and tourist-free running route.
13.Richmond Park
Distances: 11.7 km
Difficulty: 6/10 (Intermediate-Advanced)
Estimated moving time: 1 hour 15 minutes (approx)
Richmond Park is London’s largest park, covering around 10 km of woods, fields, and nature reserves. It has one of the beautiful running paths in London, the mix of flat stretches and gentle hills keeps your running interesting. The route around the park’s perimeter is about 11 km, giving you the chance to spot deer and enjoy the park’s natural beauty. It has a perfect balance of challenge and relaxation, but you need to keep an eye out for cyclists and try to avoid peak-time crowds.
14.Finsbury Park to Highgate Woods
Distances: 12.7 km
Difficulty: 7/10 (Intermediate-Advanced)
This challenging route takes you from Finsbury Park up to Highgate Woods, it mixes park trails, quiet streets, and woodland paths, offering a mix of hills and flats. It’s a great place to build stamina. The contrast between the busy city and peaceful woods makes it a famous running route, the scenic route passes Queen’s Wood and offers shade in summer, making it refreshing yet challenging.
15.Greenwich and the Thames
Distances: 14 km
Difficulty: 7/10 (Intermediate-Advanced)
Greenwich and the Thames make a brilliant running route with stunning riverside paths, historic sights like the Cutty Sark, and open spaces like Greenwich Park. The mix of flat trails and hill climbs offers variety, while the views of Canary Wharf and the O2 keep the scenery exciting. Runners need to watch for cyclists and pedestrians while running.
16.Hampstead Heath
Distances: 5.8 km
Difficulty: 8/10 (Intermediate-Advanced)
As one of the best running trails in London, Hampstead Heath is a challenging route, it offers steep climbs, and winding woodland trails but rewards the unbeatable views over the city from Parliament Hill. It offers a mix of paved and dirt paths, you can snake your way through woodland and up and down Parliament Hill for a challenging daily run. This stunning route is a good way to test your stamina and build endurance. Even pro runner Adele Roberts takes it as one of her favourite routes.
17.Hampton Court & Bushy Park
Distances: 5-10km
Difficulty: All levels
Estimated moving time: 35 minutes (approx)
The two green spaces sit side by side giving you a great opportunity for a fully customisable running route, the wide-open trails, leafy woodland, and even deer roaming freely make it a perfect running escape. Head around a short 5 km along the outskirts of Hampton Court or opt for a longer 10 km around Bushy Park. Both routes offer the chance to immerse yourself in some of London’s most impressive natural spaces and the stunning Hampton Court Palace. It can be busy during weekends and afternoons as it’s one of the popular scenic spots.
How to Choose Your Best Running Routes UK
The best running route is one that matches your ability the most. Beginners should pick flat, short loops in parks, Hyde Park, Victoria Park are both good choices for beginners, because only the predictable terrain builds confidence. Intermediate runners can explore mixed terrain, places like Regent’s Canal, Thames Path are good choices. Advanced runners need long, challenging routes, Thames Path extensions, Richmond Park loops are good options for them to build endurance. Trail lovers’ best spots can be Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest. Urban runners can enjoy running at South Bank, Olympic Park, etc. Knowing your goals and purposes can better help you make the best running route choice.
Safety Tips
People are running for a healthier body, but if in the process you hurt yourself, that will make things go in the opposite direction. Safety is always your priority. Below we have listed several factors you may need to consider when running.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings: When you’re running, you need to watch out for your surroundings, if there is anything blocking your running path, or any danger from the side path, and be aware when you crossing the streets.
Weather: choose good weather to run, some paths are slippery when it’s raining and too frosty.
Focus on Your Rhythm: follow your rhythm, do not be interrupted by others, you can listen to some music that with the same beat of your pace, that’s what people often do.
Stretching: before and after running, be sure to stretch yourself.
Necessity Food and Water: Bring yourself the necessary nutrition food and water, you don’t want to fall down halfway helplessly. Make sure you have sufficient energy, nutrition, and sugar.
Running Partners: some people enjoy running alone, but for your safety, finding a partner can be a wise choice. They can provide immediate help if you get injured, dizzy, or encounter an aggressive animal or person. A partner can call for help, share water or gear, and notice if you’re overexerting yourself. If you are a beginner, finding an experienced running partner can never be a bad idea.
Avoid Night Running: Some people love experiencing the thrill of night running. But if you are a beginner, try to avoid night running, you can easily hurt yourself due to the dark light and eyesight. Be careful where you run at night!
FAQs:
Yes! London has many running routes for runners from all levels. Thames path, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Green Park, St. James Park, and Regent Park, etc are good places to run in London.
There are so many parks that are good for running, parks like Hyde Park, Richmond Park, and Hampstead Heath. These parks offer a mix of terrains, runners from all levels can enjoy running there.
Yes, Battersea Park, Dulwich Park, and the Parkland Walk are all good choices for beginners. These running routes are flat and safe.
Yes, the Thames running routes are good option. Along the Thames river bank, runners can enjoy iconic landmarks like London Eye, Tower Bridge.
There are so many options for a long run in London. You can run along the Thames, following the river from Richmond to Greenwich, which can reach to over 40 miles; another long run option is Richmond Park, it’s traffic-free path allowing you have a wild deer sightings.
Both running and gym workouts offer excellent health benefits, which is healthier depends on your goals, fitness level, and preferences.
Yes! It is safe to run alone in London. Places like Hyde Park is a option for you, it’s a safe and open space which is usually policed heavily as the police station is located in the centre of the park. You should mindful for your surrounding as well, and running near the crowds as much as possible.
If you want, of course you can run in London at night. But for your personal safety, it’s not recommended to run at night.
