The best city hikes and walks around the London Borough Of Ealing

The London Borough of Ealing offers over 50 urban hiking trails, catering to various preferences. You'll find a good mix of easy and moderate routes, with a few more challenging options for those seeking a longer adventure.

Ealing, known as the 'Queen of the Suburbs', boasts extensive green spaces, woodlands, and waterways. You can explore picturesque waterside trails along the River Brent and the Grand Union Canal, offering opportunities for wildlife spotting. Many routes also pass through well-maintained parks like Gunnersbury Park, Walpole Park, and Ealing Common, featuring ornamental lakes and diverse flora.

Yes, Ealing's urban trails often lead past interesting historical and natural features. You might encounter the impressive Wharncliffe Viaduct, a significant railway bridge, or the scenic Bull's Bridge Junction on the Grand Union Canal. The Brent River Park and Viaduct also offers a blend of natural beauty and historical architecture.

Absolutely! Ealing has many easy, flat routes perfect for families. For instance, the Filmworks loop from Ealing is a short, accessible option. Parks like Gunnersbury Park also offer gentle paths and open spaces for children to enjoy. Many trails are well-suited for strollers, making them ideal for families with young children.

Yes, many of Ealing's urban trails are dog-friendly, especially those through parks and along canal paths. Always keep your dog under control and check for specific park regulations regarding leash requirements. The extensive green spaces provide plenty of opportunities for your canine companion to enjoy the outdoors with you.

Yes, many of the urban hikes in Ealing are designed as circular routes, allowing you to start and end at the same point. An example is the popular Gunnersbury Park Pond – Swans on the Pond loop from South Ealing, which offers a pleasant walk around the park's features.

For elevated views, consider exploring areas like Horsenden Hill or Northala Fields. Horsenden Hill offers varied terrain and woodland walks with panoramic vistas of the surrounding area. Northala Fields features distinctive man-made hills that provide expansive views across the borough and beyond.

Ealing is well-served by public transport, making its urban trails highly accessible. Many trailheads are located near Underground stations, Overground lines, or bus stops. This allows for convenient access to various starting points across the borough, including routes like the Swans on the Pond – Gunnersbury Park Pond loop from Acton.

The urban trails in the London Borough of Ealing are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Reviewers often praise the abundance of green spaces, the well-maintained paths, and the peaceful escape these routes offer from city life, highlighting the ease of access and the variety of scenery.

While many routes are easy to moderate, Ealing does offer options for longer, more challenging urban hikes. For example, the Richmond Bridge – Richmond Lock and Footbridge loop from Hanwell is a moderate 18 km route that provides a more extensive exploration of the area's waterways and green spaces.

Yes, Ealing serves as a gateway to broader walking networks. Sections of the Thames Path pass through the area, offering connections to famous attractions like Kew Gardens. You can also access segments of the Capital Ring, a 78-mile circular walk around London, and the Hillingdon Trail, which features parkland, countryside, and waterside walking along the Grand Union Canal.

Absolutely. Despite being an urban borough, Ealing has many pockets of natural beauty. Trails along the River Brent, such as the Hidden Forest Trail – GSK House, Brentford loop from Hanwell, can make you feel far removed from the city, offering a tranquil experience with lush greenery and local wildlife.