On this fabulous walk we will return to north London to explore the area between Finsbury Park, Hampstead Heath and Alexandra Palace.

Join us on our exploration of unexpectedly green London. Sunday 16 March – This walk will take us from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, via a lost railway, a few magnificent parks like Highgate wood, Waterlow Park and Hamstead Heath. Along the way, we will make time to visit and wander around Highgate cemetery, one of London’s most famous cemeteries

En route we will dip through cuttings and under bridges brightly sprayed with graffiti art; we walk past back gardens and even pass a ghost station at Crouch End. Look for the Spriggan emerging from a wall, a bronze sculpture by local artist Marilyn Collins that some say depicts the supernatural man-monster that picked off walkers in Stephen King’s horror story ‘Crouch End’.

We will walk at our usual pleasant pace, so don’t expect a super-fast walk.

These early spring days, when the days are still too short, it is even more important to spend time in nature, get plenty of daylight and enjoy the friendship and company of others. So, come on a walk with us – we promise we will help you feel absolutely fabulous, both mentally and physically!

Will you join us on this walk?

How to get there:

We meet at 10 am in front the Arsenal shop next to Finsbury Park station.

There are so many options to get to Finsbury Park, there is bound to be an easier option from where you live, but if you want, you can meet me at 9am on Camberwell Road, bus stop X (opposite Burgess Park entrance) to travel together. I will take bus 68 to Holborn, and will jump on the Piccadilly line from there.

Our walk will end by Alexandra Palace train station, from where we can make our ways back home.
All stations are within the Oyster and 60+ Freedom card zone, so there is no need to buy tickets in advance.

Terrain and length of the route:

The route is about 9 miles/ 14.5 kilometres.
This walk follows a few city roads, then mostly follows sand and gravel tracks and woodlands paths. The walk is fairly flat until we get to Hampstead Heath, which ofcourse has some steeper inclines. It is March, so puddles and mud can be expected. Please bring good footwear.

Toilets, food/drinks & what to bring:

I suggest we bring a pick-nick and enjoy our lunch outside, but if the weather isn’t very attractive for eating outside, there are some places we can stop along the way.
Don’t forget to bring something to drink for on the way.
There are public toilets in Finsbury park and in Highgate wood as well as in Hampstead Heath.
This walk will happen in any weather, unless it is unsafe, so bring your waterproofs and (preferably waterproof) shoes with a good grippy profile.

Who can join?

Anyone who can comfortably walk 9 miles.
Feel free to bring a friend or family member, with or without poles. Nordic Walkers or not, that doesn’t matter, as long as they are Fit (enough) and Happy! 😊
Are you a Nordic walker but don’t have your own poles? Would you like to borrow some from me? Text me on 078 078 3456 4 and I will bring you some.

Cost:

£10
If you are one of our regular Fit and Happy Outdoors walkers I can recommend buying a ten-session card for £89. This card can be used on Explorer walks as well as our other Nordic Walking fitness walks.
(We also lead regular Nordic Walking fitness classes. These happen every weekday in Burgess Park/ Brockwell Park/ Sydenham Hill and Dulwich Park.)
If you are genuinely poverty stricken- £5
(Train tickets and food or drinks at café not included)

Need poles?

Don’t have your own poles? Would you like to borrow some from me? Text me the MORNING OF THE WALK on 078 078 3456 4 and I will bring you some. (please, please do not ask me days before, as I will forget and that will make us both unhappy!)

Thinking about buying your own?
Check our shop for a great range of poles. Too much choice? You might like to read this useful guide first. Feel free to give us a ring, we are happy to advise you on the best poles for your lifestyle, needs and wishes.

How to join this walk

New to Fit and Happy Outdoors? Please fill in the registration and health questionaire, which you can find here and email them to walks@fitandhappyoutdoors.com at least 24 hours before the session, mentioning in the header which walk you want to join. That will give us enough time to get back to you and discuss your needs and experience.

Please sign up for our Meetup Group to easily RSVP and find out when the next walks are.

Not on Meetup (yet)? You can also use this contact form: