Love walking
- Lee Valley
- May 1
- 3 min read
Updated: May 14
The days have grown longer, the sun is peaking through the clouds and there’s no better time to get out and about to explore the beauty of Lee Valley Regional Park. Our great park stretches over 10,000 acres, and offers hundreds of great days out.
May is National Walking Month 🌼
A time to celebrate the joys and benefits of walking - it's an opportunity to commit to a healthier lifestyle by incorporating more steps into your daily routine. Whether it's a leisurely walk through your favourite bit of the park or a brisk stroll somewhere further afield, every step counts towards better health.
Discover the park with our pre planned routes – take the guess work out of exploring 🌿
We’ve created more than 30 of our favourite walking routes for you to try each has its own charm and character. Here’s a few of our top choices:
Sensory route – Waltham Abbey Gardens. A short, accessible walk, around this historic area with great sensory highlights to stimulate senses
Mills and Thrills – Bromley-by-Bow. A 4 mile walk explores this area of London where old and new combine
Walk on the Wild Side – Tottenham Marshes. This 1.5 mile circular route meanders through wetland and wildflower meadow habitats
Lakes of the River Lee – River Lee Country Park, Fishers Green. A scenic 7.5 mile circular walk that takes in the lakes of this wonderful country park
Faba to Fields – Rye House. A circular 2 mile route through tranquil surroundings, with beautiful views, weirs and wildlife
Each route offers a unique experience, allowing you to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors in a meaningful way.
Why walk? Here’s some of the benefits of walking🚶♂️
Walking isn't just a way to get from A to B, it's a powerful tool for enhancing both physical and mental wellbeing. Here's how regular walks can benefit you:
Physical health
Regular walking strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the risk of heart disease
Brisk walking has been shown to increase white blood cell count, bolstering your body's defence against illnesses
Being active, such as walking, can help regulate your sleep patterns, leading to better rest
Mental wellbeing
Walking, especially in natural settings, can lower levels of cortisol, the body's stress hormone, promoting relaxation
Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that act as natural mood lifters
Regular walking increases blood flow to the brain, improving memory and cognitive abilities
Increase your activity with a Lifewalk 🌳
We run free guided “Lifewalks” every week up and down the park. These sociable walks are a great chance to meet new people while leading a more active lifestyle. Walk leaders and volunteers make sure everyone gets to know each other and people can walk at their own pace.
See what walks are coming up – just hit the Health and Wellbeing filter button to see the list of planned walks.
Ready to Explore? 👟
The park offers a diverse range of walking routes suitable for all ages and abilities – however you can just as easily explore on your own and see where the trail takes you. So, whether you're looking to immerse yourself in nature, visit one of our heritage sites or simply enjoy a peaceful walk, there's a trail that’s perfect for you.