The best walks and hikes around Bexley

Yes, there are over 35 hiking routes to explore around Bexley. The area offers a great mix of trails, with the majority being easy walks perfect for a casual day out, alongside a selection of more moderate paths for those looking for a bit more of a challenge.

The terrain is generally gentle and accessible. Most hikes follow well-trodden paths through parks, ancient woodlands, and along riversides like the River Cray. While some woodland trails can be muddy after rain, you'll mostly find flat, easy-going surfaces.

Bexley is excellent for circular walks. Many trails are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish in the same spot without retracing your steps. A great example is the Franklin Park Conservatory loop, which offers a pleasant walk through urban green space.

Many of Bexley's parks and trails are very dog-friendly. Foots Cray Meadows is a particularly popular spot for dog walkers, offering wide-open spaces and riverside paths. As always, please keep your dog under control and be mindful of local signage regarding leads, especially near wildlife.

For a short and easy walk that's great for families, consider the Current Clock on High Street – Rooftop Infinity Pool loop. It's a manageable distance for little legs and explores some of the area's pleasant urban parks.

Yes, Lesnes Abbey Woods is a fantastic choice. The trails there wind through beautiful ancient woodland and lead you to the historic ruins of a 12th-century abbey, offering a unique mix of nature and history.

Bexley has several designated 'Locally Significant Views' that protect its scenic character. For expansive vistas, head towards the Crayford Marshes where you can see across the River Thames and River Darent. For classic English parkland scenery, the paths through Foots Cray Meadows with its iconic Five Arches bridge are hard to beat.

Yes, many of Bexley's main parks and trailheads are accessible via public transport. For example, Lesnes Abbey Woods is near Abbey Wood station, which is on the Elizabeth Line. Many other parks are served by local bus routes, making it easy to plan a car-free day of hiking.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community. Hikers often praise the surprising amount of green space within a London borough, highlighting the peaceful ancient woodlands and pleasant riverside paths as major attractions.

Yes, Bexley is part of two major long-distance paths. The London Loop, often called the 'M25 for walkers', passes through Foots Cray Meadows. Additionally, sections of the Green Chain Walk run from the River Thames through areas like Lesnes Abbey, connecting a series of green spaces.

Locals and visitors enjoy a variety of green spaces for walking. Some of the most popular include:

• Foots Cray Meadows: A large, highly-regarded riverside park with meadows and woodland paths.
• Scadbury Park Nature Reserve: A favorite for its wildlife-rich woodlands and circular trails.
• Bexley Woods: Known for its more 'unfiltered' and wild-feeling nature trails.

While most trails in Bexley are easy or moderate, you can find a challenge by combining routes or tackling longer distances. For a more substantial hike, consider the Hayden Park to Innis Park via Alum Creek Trail, which covers over 15 km and provides a good few hours of walking.