The best day hikes in and around London to try this Easter weekend

With the Easter bank holiday in full swing, there’s nothing better than getting out of the city for a few hours to enjoy the beauty of nature.

The good news is, you don’t have to look far away, as some of the most beautiful hikes you can do are just a short journey from the heart of London.

There are loads of great trails where you can get in touch with nature and see the beauty of the British countryside, all accessible by tube or train.

So get on your hiking boots and venture out of the capital to make the most of the long weekend.

Chess Valley

A 10-mile linear walk following the River Chess, this flat and well-signposted walk takes around four to five hours and can be taken from Rickmansworth to Chesham or vice versa.

‘Along the walk, you will get to enjoy beautiful and varied scenery and a landscape rich in wildlife,’ says Carla.

‘You’ll also pass through several cute villages, and at times throughout the walk, you get close to the clear sparkling waters of the River Chess, one of the Chilterns’ famed chalk streams.’
The walk starts and ends in towns that are on the Metropolitan Tube Line, making it easily accessible for city-dwellers.

Duration: Around 10 miles (16km), typically 4 to 5 hours.

Difficulty: Moderate, mostly flat with a few gentle inclines.

Latest London news

• What I Rent: I pay £2,600pcm for my south London one-bed — here’s what I get for my money


• London is getting its first new town centre in 50 years — but at what cost?

To get the latest news from the capital, visit Metro's London news hub.

Getting there: Hop on the Met line all the way to Chesham, finishing at Rickmansworth for an easy return into London.

Box Hill

Up in the Surrey Hills, Box Hill is a great place for both experienced and newbie walkers.

You can go from the station straight up to the summit, or you can take one of the longer, circular routes.

At its highest point, Box Hill is 224 metres, but the Salomons Memorial, which is the most popular Box Hill viewpoint overlooking the town of Dorking, is 172 metres high.

‘You’ll get to enjoy beautiful countryside views and abundant wildlife throughout your journey,’ says Carla.

It’s an easy journey to Box Hill, with trains from Waterloo, Victoria and Clapham Junction taking under an hour.

Duration: 4-7 miles (6-11km) depending on route, which takes around 2 to 4 hours.

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging with some short but steep climbs.

Getting there: Trains from London Victoria or Waterloo to Box Hill & Westhumble station lead you right to the start of the walk.

Richmond Park

The largest of London’s eight Royal Parks, Richmond Park is easily accessible and has loads of different walks to choose from.

Plus, there’s deer.

The Tamsin Trail is the main walking path, which goes all the way around the edge of the park and takes approximately three hours to complete.

The park is a top UK site for ancient trees and supports a range of rare species, including birds, beetles, bats, fungi, grasses and wildflowers.

Carla recommends visiting the Isabella Plantation woodland gardens, taking a break at Pembroke Lodge tea rooms, or enjoying distant views of St Paul’s Cathedral from King Henry’s Mound.

You can get to Richmond via the District Line or by train from Waterloo, followed by a one-mile walk from the station to the entrance of the park.

Duration: Flexible.

4-8 miles (6-13km), taking about 2 to 4 hours depending on your route.

Difficulty: Easy.

Flat terrain and well-maintained paths.

Getting there: Easily reached via Overground or train to Richmond, or tube to Putney Bridge station, followed by a short walk.

Epping Forest 

‘Epping Forest offers a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city,’ says Carla.

There are a number of sign-posted circular walks you can do at Epping Forest, with different starting points close to a number of tube stations that you can access via the Central Line.

You can also take the Overground to Chingford from London Liverpool Street.

Duration: 5-10 miles (8-16km), roughly 2 to 5 hours in total.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate – largely flat, but can be muddy and uneven in places.

Getting there: Hop on the Central line to Epping or Loughton for direct access to the forest.

Seven Sisters 

An iconic British landmark, the Seven Sisters’ white limestone cliffs in the South Downs National Park offer glorious views of the sea and countryside.

‘A range of distances can change the level of challenge from beginner-friendly to moderate,’ says Carla.

‘It’s a good idea to take a picnic so you can enjoy lunch on the beach at Cuckmere Haven at the foot of the cliffs.’
You can start the walk from Seaford and end in Eastbourne or vice versa, but the views are supposed to be the best when you walk east.

Get to either location via train, with regular journeys departing from London Victoria that take around an hour and a half.

Duration: Around 13 to 14 miles (21-23km), taking a good 5 to 7 hours.

Difficulty: Challenging.

The hike covers a long distance with relentless up-and-down climbs along the cliffs.

Getting there: Take a train from London Victoria to Seaford, finishing in Eastbourne for the return.

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.