Walks Near Archway Station: 5 Routes From 20 Mins

You step out of Archway tube, the traffic roars round the gyratory, and it is hard to believe there are woods, ponds and some of London’s best views within walking distance. But there are. I have coached in Archway for over 10 years, and walking is the first thing I recommend to tired parents who want to feel fitter without signing up for anything. So here are five walks near Archway station, from a 20-minute lunchtime loop to a proper half-day adventure, with honest notes on hills, surfaces and safety.

Times are rough, at an easy family pace. Fitter walkers will be quicker, toddlers will be slower.

Why walking from Archway works so well

Archway sits at the bottom of Highgate Hill, which means almost every route here starts with a climb. That is good news for your fitness. Walking uphill raises your heart rate and works your legs and glutes far more than a flat stroll. The NHS says brisk walking counts as moderate exercise, and a few of these walks a week go a long way towards the 150 minutes adults are advised to aim for.

Five walks near Archway station

1. Whittington Park loop (about 20 minutes)

Effort: easy, mostly flat.

The quickest green fix. Whittington Park is a short walk south of the station towards Holloway, with open grass, play areas and paths for a brisk lap or two. Perfect for a lunch break or a walk while a toddler naps in the buggy. Add 10 squats and 10 bench push-ups at each lap and you have a mini workout.

2. Highgate Hill to Waterlow Park (about 45 minutes return)

Effort: moderate, with one long steep climb.

Walk straight up Highgate Hill from the station. It is a genuine leg burner, so take it steady and keep your chest up. At the top, turn into Waterlow Park, with its terraced gardens, ponds and play area, then loop round and come back down. Going up is the workout, coming down is the recovery. My guide to a Waterlow Park outdoor workout has a routine you can add once you get there.

3. The Parkland Walk from Highgate (about 1 to 1.5 hours)

Effort: easy to moderate, with steep slopes at some entrances.

The Parkland Walk follows an old railway line through cuttings and over bridges. From Archway, walk up Archway Road towards Highgate and pick up the path near Holmesdale Road. The access page notes that this entrance is a steep slope and that the surface is generally coarse, getting muddy after long spells of rain. Walk towards Crouch Hill and back, or carry on to Finsbury Park. My full Parkland Walk guide goes into the history and the best stretches.

Is the Parkland Walk safe? It is a popular, well-used local nature reserve, busy with walkers, runners, dog owners and families in daylight. Like many green corridors, parts of it are quiet and secluded, so I would treat it as a daylight walk, go with someone if you prefer, keep your phone charged and tell someone your plans. Shared-use means cyclists too, so keep kids close. I am writing a fuller post on whether the Parkland Walk is safe.

4. Archway to Highgate Wood and Queen’s Wood (about 2 hours)

Effort: moderate, with a long gradual climb up Archway Road.

Walk up Archway Road past Highgate station to Highgate Wood, with its playground, café and toilets. Then cross to the wilder, hillier Queen’s Wood, where the paths dip and climb through ancient woodland. If legs are tired, hop on the 43 or 134 bus back down to Archway. Note that Highgate Wood closes at dusk, which in November means around 4.30pm.

5. Archway to Hampstead Heath via Highgate Village (half a day)

Effort: challenging, lots of hills.

The big one. Climb Highgate Hill, wander through Highgate Village, then head down to Hampstead Heath. Walk up Parliament Hill for the view of the city skyline, then on towards Kenwood if you have the energy. It is a proper day out, with cafés along the way. When you are done, the C11 bus runs between Hampstead Heath and Archway, so you do not have to walk back.

How to make these walks a workout

• Walk the hills with intent. Shorter steps, arms swinging, push through the whole foot.
• Use the talk test. You should be able to talk, but not sing. That is the moderate zone.
• Add strength stops. At each bench: 10 squats, 10 incline push-ups, 10 step-ups. Three stops is a solid session.
• Build up. Start with walk 1 or 2 twice a week, then add the longer ones at weekends.

If you have knee, hip or back pain, or a heart or blood pressure condition, check with your GP or a physio before taking on the steep routes, and start with the flatter ones.

Where a bootcamp class fits in

Walking builds stamina, but your body also needs strength and mobility work, especially if those hills leave your hips or lower back stiff. My classes run in a church hall in Archway, so you can walk to class from the station and get both. They are indoors, max 10 people, and every exercise has an easier and harder option. My SYP Unlock hip and back mobility class is a great partner to regular hill walking.

FAQs

What is the best short walk near Archway station?

Whittington Park for a flat 20 minutes, or up Highgate Hill to Waterlow Park if you want a short but hilly walk with a lovely garden at the top.

Can you walk from Archway to Hampstead Heath?

Yes. The usual route is up Highgate Hill, through Highgate Village and down to the Heath. It is hilly and takes a while, so many people walk one way and get the C11 bus back to Archway.

Is the Parkland Walk safe?

It is a popular, busy route in daylight. Parts are quiet and the path is shared with cyclists, so I recommend daylight walks, keeping children close and telling someone your plans if you go alone.

Are these walks suitable for a buggy?

Whittington Park and the main paths in Highgate Wood are the easiest. The Parkland Walk has coarse surfaces and steep entrances, and Highgate Hill is very steep, so bring a sturdy pushchair or a carrier.

Book your first class

Walks get you moving, and a weekly class makes those hills feel easier every month. SYP Bootcamp runs 45-minute small-group classes in Archway N19, a few minutes from the station, maximum 10 people, indoors, for £15 a class. The timetable comes when you book. Book my £15 class, or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215. If you would like a walking and strength plan built around your week from your phone, 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.