Hampstead Heath Extended Circular Walk
London
Hampstead Heath is the wildest 320 hectares of central London, a patchwork of meadow, ancient hedgerow, oak woodland and the famous bathing ponds, climbing to Parliament Hill for one of the city's best skylines. This dog friendly extended circular weaves up through the bathing ponds, summits Parliament Hill, drops to Kenwood House, then loops north and east via Highgate to add a few extra miles over the basic Heath circuit.
Dogs are very welcome and may run off lead across most open Heath but must stay out of the swimming ponds and the fenced sports pitches and gardens. The terrain is rolling rather than flat, with a couple of short steep pulls onto Parliament Hill and around Highgate. Driving is discouraged: street parking is scarce and costly, and the Heath is exceptionally well served by Hampstead, Belsize Park, Gospel Oak and Highgate stations.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 10.5 km (6.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Park, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Kenwood House cafe, Parliament Hill cafe, public toilets at multiple Heath gates and the lido (separate dog rules apply).
- Parking
- No on-site car park. Costly metered street parking around East Heath Road and Highgate. Public transport strongly recommended.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Walk8.7 mi awayEpping Forest Extended Circuit from Chingford
London
An extended eleven kilometre Epping Forest circuit from Chingford with grazed plain, ancient pollards and Connaught Water, dog friendly with seasonal cattle.
Walk8.7 mi awayThames Path: Greenwich to Woolwich
London
A flat Thames Path linear from Cutty Sark to Woolwich past the O2 and Thames Barrier, dog friendly on a strict short lead.
Walk9.4 mi awayNorthaw Great Wood
Hertfordshire
An ancient coppiced woodland walk north of London with a timeless feel and good spring wildflower displays.
Walk10 mi awayRichmond Park Greater Circular Walk
London
The full Tamsin Trail perimeter loop of the largest royal park, dog friendly with off lead access where deer aren't close.
Walk10.8 mi awayCrystal Palace Park and Sydenham Hill Wood Walk
London
A south London circular linking Crystal Palace Park's dinosaurs with the ancient woodland of Sydenham Hill Wood, dog friendly with off lead opportunities.
Walk11.3 mi awayLee Valley Regional Park: Fishers Green to Broxbourne
Hertfordshire
A Lee Valley riverside walk through gravel pits and watermeadows with good birdwatching and easy flat paths.
