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Walking

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

Last updated: 7 November 2024

Next review: 10 May 2025

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. Check out the full guide, or find the individual routes below:

Please note that the Vestry House Museum is currently closed for works, and will reopen in early 2026.

Go Jauntly

In partnership with Go Jauntly we have launched three new walks (Summer 2024) which 

highlight the rich history, hidden nature and vibrant community life of the area.

  1. Waterside Walkabout:  This route takes you along the River Lea and Tottenham Marshes, showcasing Walthamstow Wetlands, an internationally significant nature reserve. It also includes a visit to the William Morris Gallery, a museum dedicated to the famed designer.
  2. Mosey on the Marsh: Explore the green spaces of the Lea Valley, including the Ive Farm Community Garden and the Christopher Robbins Woodland Walk. Highlights include Friends Bridge, steeped in history as a former boundary between Anglo-Saxon England and Viking Danelaw.
  3. Walthamstow Village Walk: Celebrating 10 years of the Sustainable Transport program, this walk features Walthamstow Market, the longest outdoor street market in Europe, the soon-to-be-reopened Soho Theatre, and St. Mary’s Church with its new arts focus.

Together, these routes celebrate the community’s commitment to sustainability, heritage, and cultural enrichment, providing engaging experiences for locals and visitors alike.

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

2024 Programme

Mondays

(No walks on Bank Holidays)

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 outside Bury Road Car Park, E4 6AR

Tuesdays

North Chingford

Every Tuesday 11am to 12.30pm: Steady Pace

Meet outside Bury Road Car Park, E4 6AR

Leyton - Gentle Stroll

Every Tuesday 11am to 12pm: Gentle Stroll

Meet at Leyton Sports Ground, E10 6PV

St James Street – Walthamstow 

Every Tuesday 11am to 12pm: Steady Pace

Meet outside St James Street Station, E17 7PJ

Leytonstone, Davies Lane

Every Tuesday 10:30 to 12pm: Steady Pace

Meet at Pastures Centre, 15 Davies Lane, E11 3DR

Leyton

Every other Tuesday 11am to 12:30pm: Steady Pace

Meet at KukooLaLa Cafe, Leyton Jubilee Park E10 7BL

On the alternate Tuesday, the group has an ‘away’ walk, starting in another location. Please email Feel.good@walthamforest.gov.uk for the upcoming home and away walks. 

Wednesdays

Leyton

Every Wednesday 11am to 12.30pm: Steady Pace

Meet at KukooLaLa Cafe, Leyton Jubilee Park E10 7BL

Walthamstow Village Walk 

Every Wednesday 2am to 3pm: Steady Pace

Meet at Waltham Forest Community Hub, 18a Orford Road, E17 9LN

Langthorne Park, Leyton Orient Trust

Every Wednesday 11am to 11:45am: Steady Pace

Meet at Langthorne Park, High Road Leytonstone, Park entrance E11 4YG

Thursdays

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 outside Bury Road Car Park, E4 6AR

Coronation Gardens - Leyton Orient Trust

Every Thursday 11am to 11:45am: Steady Pace

Meet at Coronation Gardens, Leyton High Road Entrance, E10 5HG

Wood Street

Every Thursday 11am to 11:45am: Steady Pace

Meet outside Wood Street Overground Station, Wood Street, E17 3LX

Fridays

Highams Park 

Every Friday 11am to 12.30pm: Steady Pace

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

Nordic Walking – Leytonstone

Every Friday 10am to 11:30am: Medium to Brisk Pace 

Meet outside Leytonstone Station (Church Lane side) E11 1HE

First Friday of the month there is a “Learn to Nordic Walk” walk. Participants must register in advance of attending their first walk by emailing Feel.Good@walthamforest.gov.uk 

Saturdays

Womens Only – Coronation Gardens – Leyton Orient Trust

Every Saturday 8:30am to 9:15am: Steady Pace 

Meet at Coronation Gardens, Leyton High Road Entrance, E10 5HG

Womens Only - Steps and Checks 

Leyton Every Saturday 9am to 11am - Steady Pace 

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

For more information on any of the above walks please email Feel.Good@walthamforest.gov.uk 

If you would like to start a walking group for neighbours and friends, or support an existing walk as a Walk Leader please get in touch. We provide full training and support for the role and we are looking for more Walk Leaders to join the team. 

For more information about walks in Waltham Forest, please contact the Feel Good Walks Team 

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

Community Walking Groups

Waltham Forest Council supports several walking and cycling community groups through the Walking and Cycling Community Fund. 

LBS 4 PEACE Community Interest Company (CIC) is a not-for-profit organisation for like-minded women, who are purpose-driven and determined to shed mental and physical pounds (lbs) for peace of mind, body and spirit. 

Steps & Checks is a free multigenerational holistic health walk for women aged 18 and over designed to promote wellness and recreation in a supportive environment. This is a steady-paced walk in and around Leyton Jubilee Park. Beginners are welcome and rest assured that nobody will be left behind.

Stay Active – Senior Walking Group

The group promotes health, social connections, and enjoyment of the outdoors. 

Every Tuesday at 5pm, starting at Geek Café, 728 High Road, Leytonstone, E11 3AJ.

All fitness levels are welcome.

For further information email www.geekcafecic@gmail.com

Walking groups in the Borough

Other walking routes and maps