![\"Sunset](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_303956992-30d4.jpg\")
\n\t\tWarning: you\u2019ll likely end up with sore feet (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tWarning: you\u2019ll likely end up with sore feet (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Why run a marathon <\/a>when you can walk it?<\/p>\n At least, that\u2019s the ethos behind the rise of London\u2019s \u2018mega walks.\u2019 The trend is seeing ramblers take to the capital\u2019s streets, parks, past canals and through leafy boroughs<\/a>, all in the name of upping their step count<\/a>.<\/p>\n Though some are committing to walking a full marathon, you don\u2019t need to log a full 26.2 miles for it to count for something. Even a half-day\u2019s wander, or just an hour, can get you out of the house, exploring a new area.<\/a><\/p>\n Now\u2019s as good a time as any to lace up your walking shoes, as the NHS <\/a>has announced it\u2019ll be introducing a new rewards programme<\/a> that\u2019ll entitle walkers who reach a certain distance each day to special discounts.<\/p>\n And, rather than asking the general public to reach 10,000 steps, it\u2019s instead motivating people to plod along for 30 minutes.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAsk Metro<\/p>\n Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about \u2013 powered by Metro and trusted publications.<\/p>\n For this reason, it\u2019s been named the \u2018Marathon A Month\u2019 challenge.<\/p>\n So, why not plan one for yourself and see what the city has to offer?<\/p>\n Metro has rounded up some of the best mega walks across the capital. Whether you\u2019re after canal-side coffee<\/a> shops, sprawling parks or a route that ends at the pub, they\u2019re perfect for a Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n A scenic stroll\u00a0<\/p>\n Looking for something scenic but not too intense? The Wandle Trail is a great pick. Stretching for around 12.5 miles, it follows the River Wandle from Waddon in Croydon<\/a> to the Thames at Wandsworth, passing through peaceful parks and interesting historic spots along the way.<\/p>\n Along the way, you\u2019ll pass Morden Hall Park, a National Trust site with ornamental gardens, historic buildings and a riverside path. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\tLatest London news\t\t\t<\/p>\n To get the latest news from the capital, visit Metro’s London news hub<\/a>.<\/p>\n The trail also takes you through Merton Abbey Mills, once a textile factory, now filled with independent shops and markets.\u00a0<\/p>\n The trail wraps up on the banks of the Thames in Wandsworth. For a perfect end to your walk, stop by The Ship for a drink.<\/p>\n Walking the Tube line\u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019re stuck for inspiration, why not follow the London Underground? <\/p>\n One popular walk doing the rounds on TikTok is the Victoria Line challenge, where people walk the entire route of the Tube line above ground, stopping at every station along the way.\u00a0<\/p>\n The trend has racked up hundreds of videos under the hashtag #victorialinechallenge, with users turning the walk into a full-day adventure.\u00a0<\/p>\n TikTok user @issyraeeverett tried the trend recently, stopping off at a funfair, a food market\u00a0 and even having tea outside Buckingham Palace<\/a>. \u2018My body is broken, but this was good fun,\u2019 she concluded.\u00a0<\/p>\n The 11-mile route takes around 4 hours and 23 minutes, according to AllTrails. It\u2019s considered a moderately challenging walk, so make sure to wear comfy shoes, take breaks and stay hydrated.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s not the only Tube line people are tackling either. One user @captain.m recorded his attempt to walk the Metropolitan Line \u2013 all the way from Amersham (zone 9) to Aldgate, a 30-mile walk which takes over 14 hours to complete, according to Google Maps.<\/p>\n He began his journey at 8am and ticked off the 23 stops by 8.15pm.\u00a0<\/p>\n To get out of London<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to escape the city without going too far, the Epping Forest Main Path and Green Ride Circular is a brilliant option.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to AllTrails, this 8.4-mile loop takes just under 3.5 hours to complete and is considered a moderately challenging route. You can expect forest paths, wide open spaces and peaceful woodlands.<\/p>\n The route begins near Chingford Green, and leads walkers through Epping Forest, one of London\u2019s largest ancient woodlands.<\/p>\n Along the river\u00a0<\/p>\n For a mix of riverside views and green space, the Wandsworth Bridge, Putney and Barnes Circular is a top pick. The route is between five and six miles and is mostly flat, making it accessible for most walkers.\u00a0<\/p>\n You\u2019ll start near Wandsworth Bridge, following the River Thames<\/a> through Putney and Barnes. Expect stunning views of the river along the way, and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife.<\/p>\n Barnes is known for its quaint high street<\/a>, with plenty of independent shops, cafes and pubs to stop at along the way.<\/p>\n It takes around three hours to complete, according to AllTrails. Hoping for a longer stroll? Metro\u2019s Sarah Hooper suggests lengthening the trail by walking through Richmond Park.<\/p>\n For pub lovers <\/p>\n One of London\u2019s most picturesque stretches, the Little Venice<\/a> canal path just north of Paddington offers a gorgeous riverside stroll. The area is famous for its colourful narrowboats and peaceful waterside views.<\/p>\n From Little Venice, walkers can follow the canal east along the Regent\u2019s Canal Towpath for about two miles. <\/p>\n The walk takes in a mix of urban and green spaces all the way to Camden<\/a>, where you\u2019re spoilt for choice for a post-walk drink.<\/p>\n Once you reach Camden, you can reward yourself with a pint at the famous Hawley Arms.<\/p>\n To make the most of green spaces\u00a0<\/p>\n Mapped by a Reddit user on the site\u2019s London forum, this walk weaves through Clapham, Battersea, and Camden, hitting Battersea Park, Hyde Park, and Regent\u2019s Park on the way. <\/p>\n It starts in West Dulwich and ends at King\u2019s Cross.<\/p>\n It takes around four hours \u2013 longer with picnic or caf\u00e9 stops \u2013 and offers plenty of variety, from riverside paths to leafy lawns.<\/p>\n One tip? Don\u2019t skip Paul Rothe & Son in Marylebone, a family-run sandwich shop that\u2019s been around for 100 years.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tTips for completing a Mega Walk \t\t\t<\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning on heading out for a full-day trek, don\u2019t make the mistake of going underprepared.<\/p>\n Metro\u2018s Sarah Hooper, an avid walker who has completed 50km walks for charity, has shared her tips. She says: \u2018I treat long distance walks more like a hike \u2013 be prepared.\u2019<\/p>\n Be sure to pack some sweets. Sarah says: \u2018I always bring a sweetie \u2013 my favourite is sour strawberry laces to up your blood sugar if you get tired\u2019 Official TfL walks<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for some more structured walks, TfL<\/a>\u2019s Walk London Network offers several well-planned walking routes across the city.\u00a0<\/p>\n The eight routes offer everything from bustling urban areas to peaceful green spaces, and they\u2019re designed to be easily accessible by public transport, so you can stop whenever you need to.\u00a0<\/p>\n One of the most popular is the Capital Ring, a circular route made up of 15 connected sections, and covering 78 miles in total. Section five of the walk, for example, takes you from Streatham to Wimbledon Park and passes through Tooting Bec Common and Wandsworth Common.<\/p>\n Another TfL-endorsed option is the Jubilee Greenway, a 60km route created to mark the Queen\u2019s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympics.\u00a0<\/p>\n It connects some of London\u2019s most iconic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Camden Market and the Olympic Park.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tTfL\u2019s Walk London Network \t\t\t<\/p>\n Capital Ring \u2013 a 78-mile route divided into 15 shorter walks, including Richmond Park, Wimbledon Common and Eltham Palace.<\/p>\n Green Chain \u2013 a network of walks across South East London, it takes in woods and parks as well as the Thames Barrier and Crystal Palace.<\/p>\n Green Link \u2013 a route connecting nearly 40 green spaces and a number of waterways between northeast and south London.<\/p>\n Jubilee Greenway\u2013 a path for walkers and cyclists that links Olympic and Paralympic venues, including the O2 Arena, Greenwich Park and the Serpentine.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jubilee Walkway \u2013 this route takes in some of London\u2019s most iconic landmarks, including St Paul\u2019s and Buckingham Palace.\u00a0<\/p>\n Lea Valley \u2013 the path follows the 18 miles along the Lee Navigation towpath, from Waltham Abbey to the Thames at Limehouse Basin.<\/p>\n London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP) \u2013 this encircles Greater London; nearly 150 miles are split into 24 \u2018bite-sized\u2019 walks.<\/p>\n Thames Path \u2013 a 40-mile stretch for walking on both sides of the river. It stretches from Hampton Court Palace to the heart of London.<\/p>\n This article was first published on May 16, 2025.<\/p>\n Do you have a story you\u2019d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow
\nBring a backpack and \u2018loads and loads of water\u2019
\nPack some suncream, as you can still get burnt, even when it\u2019s cloudy.<\/p>\n
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