Love walking
- May 1, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 29
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 have 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 40 of our favourite walking routes for you to try, each has its own charm and character. Here’s a few of our top choices:
Planes and Trains – Lee Valley Ice Centre. A great one mile walk through Walthamstow and Leyton Marshes where history and wildlife combine. Refreshments available at Lee Valley Ice Centre’s café
Grebes and Gravel – Lee Valley White Water Centre. Enjoy a circular two mile walk that takes in the habitats of Bowyers Water, then round off with refreshments in the café overlooking the start pool of the white water course.
Urban Oasis – Tottenham Marshes. A figure of eight route covering just over 3.5 miles through the wildlife and wildflower habitats of the marshes.
Monks and Meadows – Waltham Abbey Gardens. A five mile route that takes in the wonderful Cornmill Meadows before heading off into River Lee Country Park and returning via Walton Walks alongside the River Lee Navigation.
Valley Views – River Lee Country Park, Fishers Green. An eight mile circular route that winds it way through farmland and lush green open spaces as well as some section of towpath too
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 by walking
We know thinking about getting more active can be daunting - how about joining a group of like minded people with the same goal? We run free get active sessions every week up and down the park.
There are a range of walks so you can choose whichever suits your needs, wehter you're looking for just a cuppa with a short stroll, or something that builds on your endurance skills. 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.
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