Camden's Best Walking Trails: 1.8km Easy Loops to 7km Steep Routes

Camden Council released its updated trail ratings on 7 July 2026, listing five routes by exact distance and difficulty level after field checks completed last month.

Interest in these options has grown because more residents now track steps through the Camden Active Living app, which logged 184,000 walks in the first half of 2026. The ratings help people match routes to their fitness without needing special equipment.

Two routes stand out for regular use. The Camden Greenway starts at the junction of Parkway and Gloucester Crescent and runs 2.4 kilometres along the canal towpath before returning through Camden Square. Difficulty is listed as easy because the surface stays flat and benches appear every 400 metres. The second option, the Ridgeway Loop, begins at the Kentish Town Road entrance to Hampstead Heath extension and covers 5.9 kilometres with two short climbs that reach 45 metres of elevation.

Short routes for beginners

The easiest trail sits inside the grounds of the former St Pancras Hospital site on St Pancras Way. It measures 1.8 kilometres and stays below a 3 percent grade the entire way. Walkers finish the loop in under 30 minutes at a steady pace. A moderate option follows the southern edge of Regent's Canal from Camden Lock Market to the bridge at Oval Road, adding up to 3.7 kilometres with one set of steps that can be avoided by using the ramp at Dingwall Bridge.

Camden Council figures from the April 2026 parks survey show 41 percent of residents walked in a local green space at least once a week, up from 33 percent the previous year. Entry to all trails remains free, though printed maps cost £2 at the Camden Visitor Centre on Camden High Street.

Longer and steeper options

The most demanding listed route runs from Parliament Hill Fields down to Gospel Oak station and back via the ponds, for a total of 7.2 kilometres and 112 metres of climb. The council marks it hard because sections near the ponds stay muddy after rain. A 4.1-kilometre moderate trail starts at the top of Haverstock Hill and circles the athletic tracks at the Parliament Hill running track before returning through the wooded section near the lido.

Anyone starting a new route should check the Camden Active Living app for surface conditions the morning of the walk and carry water on anything longer than 4 kilometres. The council advises first-time visitors to begin on the shorter loops near Parkway before moving to routes with elevation.