Hiking for Single Parents: North London by Tube and Bus

Hiking sounds like something for people with a car, a free weekend and a partner to carry the snacks. As a single parent in North London you may have none of those. But you do have something most of the country does not: a tube and bus network that can drop you at the edge of real woods and hills. This guide to hiking for single parents shows you how to start with walks on your doorstep, step up to proper day hikes by public transport, kit everyone out on a budget, and pace it so the kids (and you) still enjoy it on the way home.

Why hiking works so well when you parent alone

• It is exercise and childcare at the same time. No sitter needed.
• It is cheap and suits every age, from a toddler in a carrier to a moody teenager.
• It is good for your head. Time outdoors, away from screens and chores, can be a real reset. The NHS lists walking as an easy way to get more active and improve fitness in its guide to walking for health.

Hiking with a backpack on hills also builds leg strength and stamina, the same qualities that help you carry kids, climb stairs and get through a long day.

Step 1: start on your doorstep

Before you plan a big day out, do a few “practice hikes” close to home. This tells you how far your kids can actually walk, what they need to eat, and whether your shoes rub. From Archway and Highgate you have some excellent options:

• The Parkland Walk. A green path along an old railway line between Finsbury Park and Highgate, mostly flat and good for first-timers. The Friends of the Parkland Walk site has maps and access points, and my own Parkland Walk guide covers it from a parent’s point of view.
• Highgate Wood and Queen’s Wood. Two ancient woods right next to each other with proper woodland paths and hills. See the City of London’s page on visiting Highgate Wood and Haringey’s page on Queen’s Wood nature reserve. I also wrote about Highgate Wood with kids.
• Hampstead Heath. Bigger, hillier and wilder in places, with Parliament Hill for a view of the city. Plenty of bus routes from Archway and Highgate get you to the edges of the Heath.

Aim for 2 or 3 of these walks over a month, building from 45 minutes to 2 hours.

Step 2: hiking for single parents by public transport

When your local walks feel easy, you can reach bigger countryside without a car. A few ideas that work from North London:

• Epping Forest: the Central line runs out to stations such as Loughton and Theydon Bois on the edge of the forest. From Archway you would change onto the Central line in central London.
• The Chilterns: the Metropolitan line runs out to Amersham and Chalfont and Latimer, with walking routes into the Chiltern Hills nearby.
• The Capital Ring: a signed walking route around London that passes through Highgate. You can walk one section at a time and get public transport home.

Transport tips for solo parents:

• Children under 11 can usually travel free on the tube and buses with a paying adult. Check TfL’s website for the current rules before you go, including how many children can travel with you.
• For trips on National Rail, a Family and Friends Railcard can cut the cost of adult and child tickets.
• Choose routes that start and finish near a station, or a linear route between two stations, so you are never stuck far from a way home.
• Check the return journey and weekend engineering works before you set off.
• A folding buggy is easier than a full-size one on busy trains. For under-3s, a carrier is often easier than both.

Kit on a budget

You do not need expensive gear for day hikes in and around London. What matters:

• Shoes with grip. Trainers with good tread are fine for most paths. Kids grow out of boots fast, so look in charity shops, local parent groups or swap sites.
• Layers, not one big coat. A base layer, a fleece or jumper and a waterproof. Avoid cotton jeans in the rain.
• Spare socks for everyone, in a sandwich bag.
• A small backpack for each child with their own water and snack. It gives them a job and saves your back.
• Your backpack: water, snacks, a basic first aid kit, plasters, wipes, a phone with a charged power bank, and a bin bag to sit on.

Write a list and keep it by the door. When you parent alone, nobody else will remember the spare socks.

Pacing: how to keep everyone happy

The biggest mistake parents make is planning a hike for adult legs. A few rules I give families:

• Walk at the speed of the youngest walker. Not yours.
• Turn back while everyone still has energy.
• Snack every 30 to 45 minutes. Hungry kids stop walking.
• Give them missions: find five types of leaf, count the bridges, be the map reader, spot the trail sign.
• Have a bail-out plan. If a child is done, a shorter route back to a bus stop beats an hour of tears.

Train your body for longer hikes

If you want to carry a toddler or a heavy pack up hills, a little strength work during the week makes a huge difference. Two short sessions at home are enough:

• Step-ups on the bottom stair: 3 sets of 10 each leg
• Squats: 3 sets of 12
• Glute bridges: 3 sets of 12
• Calf raises on a step: 3 sets of 15
• Plank: 3 holds of 20 to 30 seconds

If you have knee, hip or back problems, a heart condition, or have had a baby recently, check with your GP or a physio before taking on long or steep hikes, especially carrying a child.

Where a bootcamp class fits

Hiking is brilliant weekend fitness, and a weekday class makes your hikes easier. The strength, hip mobility and stamina we build in class are exactly what you need for hills and carrying little ones. My SYP Unlock hip and back mobility class is a good fit if your hips and lower back feel stiff after long walks. For more on fitting exercise around solo parenting, see my single parent fitness guide.

FAQs

How far can kids hike?

It depends on age, fitness and terrain, so start short and build up. Practise on local walks first so you know what your children can manage before a big day out.

Can I go hiking from London without a car?

Yes. The tube and National Rail reach places like Epping Forest and the Chilterns, and North London itself has woods and heathland you can reach by bus.

What should I pack for a family hike?

Water, snacks, layers, a waterproof, spare socks, a small first aid kit and a charged phone. Give each child a small backpack with their own water and snack.

Book your first class

Get stronger for your weekend adventures with a weekday class. SYP Bootcamp runs 45-minute small-group classes indoors in a church hall in Archway N19, max 10 people, £15 a class, all fitness levels. Book your £15 class here or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215 and I will send you the timetable. If you live up the hill, see my personal trainer page for Highgate for one-to-one 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.