Recommended walks near London UK

There are a lot of nice walks along the Canal system in and around London, and it is a great way to see a lot of different parts of London itself. Train/Bus will get you to Dartmoor and the Lakes District for some great walks. There are a number of good 3 day walks south-west, south and south-east of London along the coast that is accessible by train.

I just got back from a 3 year stent in London, and I regret not doing more of those types of walks. We spent most of our free time heading up to Scotland week long walks, and missed a lot of the local ones.

Not exactly want you asked but….

Getting on a train for 2 hours will put you near the English Lake District, you would then need to spend
Maybe an hour on a local bus/train but well worth it. You can fly from London City airport to Aberdeen (maybe an hour)
And rent a car and get in to the heart of Scotland.

Best join outdoorsmagic.com for local info.

I'd recommend checking out Cicerone Press, which offers numerous guidebooks. You can walk right out of the city on the Thames Path. Or head south to the Southwest Coast Path. So many more options. Depends on what type of walking/backpacking you prefer for this trip. You can download the guidebooks too.

Mike

Maybe some snow in Scotland that time of year but not so much in England.

Seriously join outdoorsmagic

These two blogs may provide a starting point for trips very close to London.

http://londonbackpackers.blogspot.dk/

http://hillplodder.wordpress.com/

Under £100, take a train from London to Bangor (in Wales.) It will take about 3.5 hours and is quite scenic along the coast. Then hitchhike/walk/bus to Betws-y-Coed, Llanberis, or Blaenau Ffestiniog. Snowdonia has lots to hike and is very open. If you'd like to hire a guide and maybe do some rock climbing, scrambling, or mountain biking, I can personally recommend:

Paul Poole
http://www.paulpoolemountaineering.co.uk/

or

Tim Harrop
http://www.timharropmountainactivities.com

I climbed Snowdonia area, staying in Llanberis at the most scenic little B&B and had an incredible time. Great views and a very cool place to visit. Best "wilderness" type spot I've been to outside of the Dublin/Wicklow mountains in Ireland (Didn't get any Scotland hiking in, so just my 2 cents).

Had an excellent time, and really enjoyed the Snowdonia Mountains. A+ for a day trip out of the city, or an overnight.

> perhaps it is only the UK weather that makes the mountains difficult?
Well, true, but not the whole story.
There's a Yorkshire saying about 'lazy winds': so called becasue they don't bother to go around you. They go through you.

Try Offas Dyke path in Wales, or go across Dartmoor.

Cheers

Would like to do at least 1 challenging hike/climb.

Cuillin Ridge on Skye? Long way from London though.

Snowdonia is fantastic.

Rick,

Not to sound like a broken record but best asking those questions on outdoorsmagic.com

I personally would bring the warmer quilt and Nuceli it can still be cold in mountains any time of year,

In would bring both jackets and make the call the day you leave.

If you really want to get a taste of UK mountains head for Scotland – easy enough to fly or advance book on train.

Still quite low but I think you'll find the hills challenging enough.

My last two trips…

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=17197

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=17201

I use a MB UL jacket year-round – and a WM Ultralite outwith winter; cold it can be.

If you head for the 'good' hills read-up a little on midges…pesky little blighters..

Head for Covent Garden in London; lots of outdoors stores there – you should find Esbit easily enough.

Rick,

You will absolutely love Scotland, no trees mean splendid views..

yeah – like Stephen says – ask on Outdoorsmagic
why keep asking here?
I wouldn't ask about hiking in a specific area of California on a UK site…