Finsbury Park Running Route: Laps, Lake and Parkrun

Hills are great until you are a tired parent trying to get back into running, and every route out of Archway seems to go straight up. If you want somewhere flatter, with smooth paths, toilets and other runners around you, it is worth the short trip to Finsbury Park. This guide covers the classic Finsbury Park running route round the perimeter, the shorter loop by the boating lake, surfaces to expect, how it links up with the Parkland Walk, and a simple plan to build from your first lap to running 5k.

Why Finsbury Park is good for beginners

• Tarmac paths. A wide tarmac road loops right round the edge of the park, so you are not slipping through mud all winter.
• Easy to measure. The Good Run Guide puts the perimeter loop at roughly 2.3 km (1.4 miles). Two laps is about a 5k.
• Lots going on. Haringey Council lists an athletics track, boating lake, café, toilets, an outdoor gym and play areas in the park, so it suits a family trip where one parent runs and the other plays.
• Company. You are rarely the only runner, which helps if you feel self-conscious.

It is not completely flat. There are gentle rises in places, but nothing like the hills of Highgate or Hampstead Heath.

The Finsbury Park running route options

The perimeter loop (about 2.3 km)

Pick an entrance, join the tarmac road that circles the park and keep going until you are back where you started. This is the bread and butter of running here. It is wide, well used and easy to follow, so you do not have to think about navigation.

The boating lake loop (short)

The path around the boating lake makes a much shorter loop. I like it for interval sessions, because you are never far from your bag or the kids, and it is a nice change of scenery from the perimeter. Watch out for families and dogs on sunny afternoons.

The athletics track

The park has an athletics track, but it is chargeable to use, so check the current arrangements before you go. A track is perfect if you want measured intervals.

Saturday parkrun

There is a free, timed 5k parkrun in Finsbury Park on Saturdays at 9am. If you can jog-walk 5k, it is a friendly, social way to get a weekly run in. Walking is fine, and plenty of people do.

Linking up with the Parkland Walk

For Archway and Highgate runners, the best bit is the Parkland Walk, a disused railway line turned nature reserve that runs between Finsbury Park and Highgate, with a section towards Alexandra Palace too. It is a gentle, traffic-free trail, and running along it means you can get to Finsbury Park without fighting the main roads.

A popular longer route for confident runners is to run the Parkland Walk from the Highgate end down to Finsbury Park, do a lap of the park and head back. Build up to it, as it is a big jump from a single lap. My Parkland Walk guide covers entrances and what to expect, and if you are nervous about running it alone, read my post on whether the Parkland Walk is safe.

Not up for running there yet? Finsbury Park station (Victoria and Piccadilly lines) is right next to the park, and it is a short bus or tube ride from Archway.

A 6-week plan: from first lap to 5k

Do three sessions a week with at least one rest day between them. Always start with 5 minutes of brisk walking.

• Week 1: one perimeter lap of run 1 minute, walk 2 minutes, repeated.
• Week 2: one lap of run 2 minutes, walk 2 minutes, repeated.
• Week 3: run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds. One and a half laps.
• Week 4: run 5 minutes, walk 2 minutes, for two laps. Try one session around the boating lake loop: jog 2 minutes faster, 2 minutes easy, 5 times.
• Week 5: run 8 to 10 minutes, walk 2 minutes, repeat for two laps.
• Week 6: run one full lap without stopping, walk 2 minutes, then run as much of the second lap as you can. Then try the Saturday parkrun.

If a week feels too hard, repeat it. There is no prize for rushing. If you have any health condition, are postnatal or are coming back from injury, check with your GP or physio first. The NHS physical activity guidelines for adults are a useful benchmark for how much activity to aim for overall.

Practical tips

• Check gate times. Haringey’s page lists gate times that may not match daylight hours, so check before you plan an early or late run.
• Run with traffic in mind on the perimeter road. It is a path, but bikes and the occasional park vehicle use it too.
• In winter, stick to daylight or well-lit, busy times if you run alone, and take your phone.
• Cool down with a 5-minute walk and some calf and hip stretches.

Where a bootcamp class fits

The parents I see stick with running are the ones who also do some strength training. Stronger legs and a stronger core mean fewer niggles and a more comfortable stride. My SYP Built To Last strength class is ideal for runners over 35 who want to keep going for years. Two park runs plus one class a week is a balanced, realistic routine for a busy parent.

FAQs

How long is a lap of Finsbury Park?

The perimeter loop is about 2.3 km (1.4 miles), so roughly two laps make a 5k.

Is Finsbury Park good for running?

Yes. It has a wide tarmac perimeter path, a shorter lake loop, an athletics track and a weekly parkrun, and it is flatter than many North London parks.

Is there a parkrun in Finsbury Park?

Yes, a free 5k parkrun takes place on Saturdays at 9am. You need to register with parkrun once and bring your barcode.

Can I run from Highgate to Finsbury Park?

Yes, along the Parkland Walk, a traffic-free former railway line. It is a good option for confident runners, but build up to the distance gradually.

Book your first class

Ready to make your runs feel easier? SYP Bootcamp runs 45-minute small-group classes indoors in a church hall in Archway N19, with up to 10 people, for £15 a class, and every exercise has an easier and harder option. Book your £15 class here or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215. If your schedule is all over the place and you want a personal plan you can follow anywhere, have a look at my online coaching.

About the author

Artem Olekhnovych is a personal trainer in Archway and the founder of SYP Fitness and SYP Bootcamp. He has coached clients in Archway, Highgate and across North London for over 10 years, and runs small-group bootcamp classes for busy mums and dads. Read reviews from his 1-1 clients.