Waltham Forest Wanders: Walking Challenge 2024

This year, take on six scenic walking routes as part of our borough-wide walking challenge. For anyone who lives in or visits Waltham Forest, these walks will help you learn something new about your borough, enjoy your neighbourhood’s great outdoor spaces, and feel the unbeatable mental and physical benefits of moving. 

The six routes will take you past Waltham Forest’s much-loved spaces and its hidden gems. Walk in the footsteps of the borough’s most celebrated figures, including Sir Alfred Hitchcock, Fanny Cradock and William Morris, all celebrated throughout the routes. 

Please note: this challenge has been extended into autumn and winter 2024.

You can also pick up the physical challenge booklet at these locations around the borough:

• All Waltham Forest libraries 
• Leyton Sports Ground, E10
• Pastures Centre, E11
• Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre, E17
• Chingford Leisure Centre, E4 
• Walthamstow Leisure Centre, E17
• Waltham Forest Dementia Hub, E10 
• Wellbeing Cafés Chingford - South Chingford Community Library, E4 
• Wellbeing Café Leyton, Lea Bridge Library, E10

Routes

The routes cover the south, centre and north of the borough:

Route 1: Murder and the Orient, 2.5 miles, 50 mins to 1 hour (South)

This walking route takes you through the backstreets of Leytonstone and Leyton, taking you on a trip back through time to learn about the borough’s links with Hollywood Horror, Jack the Ripper and the Footballers’ Battalions of the First World War.

Route 2: Planes, Bikes and Automobiles, 4 miles, 1 hour 30 mins (Central)

This walking route explores the lives of three famous sons who influenced transport in the country: A.V. Roe, who piloted the first UK powered flight; Frederick Bremer, the inventor of the first internal combustion engine car; and John Kemp Starley, the inventor of the modern bicycle. The walk begins near Lea Valley and ends in Walthamstow Village, near Walthamstow Central Station.

Route 3: Arts and Crafts, 3.5 miles, 1 hour (Central)

This walking route begins at Walthamstow Central Station. It can be easily made into a day out by spending time in the museums, shops, restaurants or pubs along the way. Most of the places of interest are open by about 10.30am / 11am at weekends. We’ll leave the planning up to you but have provided links to some of the places of interest along the way.

Route 4: A Wander Down the Hill, 4.5 miles, 1 hour 30 mins (North)

This walk is best done on Saturdays when the Old Church at Chingford and the cemetery is open. It’s also worth checking out whether a market is planned in either Chingford or Highams Park and what is on at nearby Epping Forest.

Route 5: Leyton and Leytonstone, 2 miles, 30 mins to 1 hour (South)

This route takes a trail of discovery through Leyton and Leytonstone past the former homes of our borough’s celebrities and influential people including Harry Beck, David Bailey and David Beckham.

Route 6: Highams Park Animal Sculpture Trail, 5.5 miles, 1 hour 30 mins to 2 hours (North)

Discover the 12 animal sculptures carved from local trees by chainsaw carver Marshall Lambert.

Prize Bundles

Once you have completed parts of the Walking Challenge, you can pick up your prizes at our collection hubs around the borough.

• 1 to 2 routes completed: Completion Certficate, Bronze Medal
• 3 to 4 routes completed: Completion Certficate, Silver Medal
• 5 to 6 routes completed: Completion Certficate, Gold Medal, T-Shirt, Water Bottle

Fill out the form below to get your prizes.