Running Routes Highgate: Woods, Hills and Park Loops

Highgate sits on one of the highest points in London, which tells you most of what you need to know about running here: you will meet hills. The good news is that those hills come with some of the best green running in the city, through ancient woodland and a historic park, all within a few minutes of the Northern line. If you are a parent squeezing a run into nursery drop-off or a Saturday morning, these are the running routes Highgate locals use, with honest notes on surfaces, gradients and when to go.

Running routes Highgate: three things to know first

• Hills are unavoidable. Start slow. If the first 10 minutes feel easy, you have paced it right.
• Woodland paths change with the weather. Tarmac stays firm, but unmade paths get muddy and slippery from autumn to spring. Trainers with grip help a lot.
• Woods close at dusk-ish. Highgate Wood has set closing times that get earlier through autumn and winter, so check before an evening run.

Route 1: Highgate Wood laps (best all-rounder)

Good for: steady easy runs, beginners, parents with kids at the playground.

Surface: a mix of tarmac and unmade paths.

Hills: gentle rolling ground compared with the rest of Highgate.

Highgate Wood is about 70 acres of ancient woodland run by the City of London, around a 5-minute walk from Highgate station, with buses 43, 134 and 234 nearby. The City’s Highgate Wood visitor page notes that some paths are tarmac while others are rough tracks that get muddy in wet weather. Cycling is banned throughout under the wood’s byelaws, so you are not dodging bikes.

Run laps of the outer paths and add a loop around the sports field. If you want a session rather than a jog, try this: 10 minutes easy, then 5 rounds of 1 minute faster and 2 minutes easy, then 5 minutes easy to finish.

For parents, this is the most practical route. The large playground and cafe mean one parent can run while the other watches the kids, then swap. My guide to Highgate Wood with kids covers the playground in detail.

Route 2: Queen’s Wood (the wild, hilly one)

Good for: trail running practice and strong legs.

Surface: unmade woodland paths, roots and mud.

Hills: steeper and more up-and-down than Highgate Wood.

Cross Muswell Hill Road from Highgate Wood and you are in Queen’s Wood, around 21 hectares of woodland managed by Haringey Council as a Local Nature Reserve. It feels much wilder than its neighbour, with narrower paths and sharper climbs and drops. That makes it brilliant for building ankle strength and hill fitness, and less good for running fast.

Take it steady, especially on the descents. Shorten your stride, keep your eyes a few metres ahead, and walk the steepest muddy sections. Queen’s Wood Cafe sits on the edge of the wood if you want a post-run coffee. Haringey Council’s Queen’s Wood page has more on the reserve.

Combine the two woods

For a longer run, link them. Do a lap of Highgate Wood, cross into Queen’s Wood for a lap, then back. The Capital Ring walking route passes through both woods, and its signs make a handy guide if you are new to the area.

Route 3: Waterlow Park and Highgate Village (hill repeats with a view)

Good for: hill training and shorter runs.

Surface: pavement and tarmac park paths.

Hills: plenty. This is the hilly heart of Highgate.

From Highgate Village, head down Highgate Hill and enter Waterlow Park. The park sits on a slope, with lawns, ponds and terraced gardens, and views out over London. Lauderdale House and its cafe overlook the Tea Lawn. Camden Council runs the park, and Lauderdale House’s Waterlow Park page has visiting details.

Try hill repeats on the park paths: pick a slope that takes about 45 to 60 seconds to run up, run it 4 to 6 times, and walk down each time to recover. Finish with an easy lap.

Feeling strong? Swain’s Lane, running down past Highgate Cemetery on the west side of the park, is famously steep. It is a tough climb even for experienced runners, so walk it first, and leave it out entirely if you have knee or heart concerns until you have checked with your GP.

Route 4: down to Archway and back

If you live in Highgate, a run down to Archway is quick, and the climb home is the workout. Head down Highgate Hill to Archway and return up Archway Road, or swap one for the other. It is all pavement and lit, which makes it a sensible choice for dark winter mornings when the woods are not an option. My guide to running routes in Archway has more loops from the bottom of the hill.

Staying safe and injury-free on hilly routes

• Warm up properly with 5 minutes of brisk walking or easy jogging before any climb.
• Lean slightly into the hill going up, with short, quick steps and arms driving.
• Go easy downhill. Downhill running is tough on knees and thighs. Control it rather than braking hard.
• Tell someone your route if you run alone in the woods, and carry your phone.
• Stop if it hurts. Sharp or worsening pain is a signal to walk home and rest.

If hill work leaves you sore for days, my post on hill running in North London explains how to build up gradually.

Where a bootcamp class fits

Highgate’s hills reward strong legs and a strong core. Runners who add one or two strength sessions a week usually find the climbs get easier and the niggles fewer. My SYP Bootcamp classes run just down the hill in Archway N19, indoors, 45 minutes, a maximum of 10 people. For runners over 35, SYP Built To Last functional strength focuses on the hips, legs and trunk that carry you up Highgate Hill.

FAQs

What is the best place to run in Highgate?

For most people, Highgate Wood: it has firmer paths, gentler hills and no bikes. Queen’s Wood is better if you want a wilder, hillier trail run.

Is Highgate Wood good for running?

Yes. It is popular with runners, close to Highgate station, and has a mix of tarmac and unmade paths. Check closing times in the darker months.

Can I run in the woods with a buggy?

The tarmac paths in Highgate Wood are your best bet. Queen’s Wood is generally too rough and steep for a running buggy.

How do I get to Highgate from Archway?

Take the Northern line one stop to Highgate, catch a bus up Archway Road, or run up the hill as your warm-up.

Book your first class

Want to take Highgate’s hills in your stride? SYP Bootcamp runs 45-minute small-group classes in Archway N19, max 10 people, £15 a class, indoors in a church hall, with an easier and a harder option for every exercise. Book your £15 class here or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215 and I will send the timetable. If you would prefer coaching close to home, find out about personal training in Highgate.

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.