Whether there is a tube strike or you simply don’t want to venture too far from home, there are plenty of reasons why sometimes we like a good walk in London. But where to go for a countryside walk in the city? This is when the Dollis Valley Greenwalk makes an entry. This decently long walk through Barnet and Finchley is that good surprise which takes you through what is left of former countryside fields in the Capital city.
When the tube strike ruined my hiking plans for the weekend, I was left with only one option: hiking in London! Looking restlessly on Google and my favourite navigation app, Outdooractive, for a trail, I came across the Dollis Valley Greenwalk. I had never heard of it before but after a quick search, I knew this walk was definitely worth doing. And no regret!
Follow my steps for a perfect day out in London.
Logistics of the Dollis Valley Greenwalk
Walk 1 – With Hampstead Heath
- Distance: 14.2 miles (22.8 km)
- Total Ascent: 656 ft (200 m)
- Highest Point: 433 ft (132 m)
- Lowest Point: 144 ft (44 m)
- Walking Estimate: 5 hours
- Difficulty: Intermediate
Walk 2 – Without Hampstead Heath
- Distance: 10.9 miles (17.5 km)
- Total Ascent: 289 ft (88 m)
- Highest Point: 407 ft (124 m)
- Lowest Point: 157 ft (48 m)
- Walking Estimate: 4 hours and 15 minutes
- Difficulty: Intermediate
How to get there
- Thames Link train to Mill Hill Broadway Station, fare zone 4
For the Return
- Walk 1 – Hampstead Heath Station, Overground, fare zone 2
- Walk 2 – Golders Green Station, Northern Line, fare zone 3
What to Pack
- Comfortable clothing and footwear. Trainers are fine
- Backpack with snacks and water
- Packed lunch is optional as there is a coffee shop stop on the way
- Headcover, sunscreen and sunglasses if the sun is out.
- Rain gear in case rain is forecasted
Additional Information:
- There are public toilets in King George V Playing Fields
- There are public toilets in Hampstead Heath Extension
- There are public toilets in Hampstead Heath Park
- This is a stile-free walk
- This is a dog-friendly walk
Where to Eat
- Em’s Coffee, Totteridge and Whetstone, London
Dollis Valley Greenwalk Map
Do you want to do this walk? Simply download the GPS map by clicking on the button below. Please note that the files are in GPX format. To learn how to upload it onto your navigation app, follow my step-by-step guide here.
Highlights of the Dollis Valley Greenwalk
- Dollis Valley
- Dollis Brook
- Whetstone
- Woodside Park
- Windsor Open Space
- Little Wood & Big Wood
- Hampstead Heath
- Totteridge Nature Reserve
- Dollis Brook Viaduct
What is the Dollis Valley Greenwalk?
The 10-mile (16 km) long Dollis Valley Greenwalk trail takes you from Mill Hill Broadway, Borough of Barnet, to Hampstead Heath, Borough of Camden. It takes around 5 hours to complete the walk. The terrain is mainly flat making it ideal for walkers and runners. Parts of the path can get muddy during the rainy seasons, so don’t forget to wear appropriate footwear.
In the 1930s, Alfred Pike, Finchley Counsellor, designed a route from Mutton Brook to Dollis Brook called the Brookside Walk. Using this walk as a starting point, the Borough of Barnet develops the Dollis Valley Greenwalk. The project came to life in March 2009 thanks to a grant from the Mayor of London.
Dollis Valley Greenwalk Guide
Now we covered the basics, let’s get to the walk!
Mill Hill Broadway
Our walk starts at Mill Hill Broadway station. Cross over the M1 in front of the station and take The Broadway. To avoid strolling on the sidewalk of a busy road, take a turn on Millway and continue rambling in the residential area until you reach Mill Hill Circus.
Then take Lawrence Street. You can divert to the residential area as you walk up Lawrence Street to take a look at the beautiful houses of this place. In the field on the opposite side of the street, you can see horses grazing.
At the top of the street, leave the road and take the footpath in front of you leading to Holcombes Dale.
Holcombes Dale & Totteridge Nature Reserve
Follow the footpath through Holcombes Dale, a large field bordered by trees with strangely shaped bushes in the middle. As soon as you step onto this green space, it is easy to forget that you are in London.
On the other side of the field, you find the Totterridge Nature Reserve. One of London’s last patches of the countryside, the fields of the Nature Reserve were once used to produce hay for horses in London. Saved from being turned into a cemetery in the 1990s, the meadows are now utilised for cattle to graze.
The reserve is a haven for wildlife such as birds and butterflies. During Spring the trees are flowering and in summer the flowers are in full bloom, offering a show of colour for your eyes.
Dollis Brook
Continue on the Dollis Brook Walk path until you reach the said Brook. This tributary of the River Brent runs from Mill Hill to East Finchley. Follow the path alongside Dollis Brook, passing through meadows and forested areas.
You then arrive at King George V playing fields, a 14-acre lot near Wyatts Farm Open Space. Walk past the latter, which is no longer a farm but a football field. Follow the trail through the grassland and you arrive at the Brooks Farm Open Space. As for Wyatts Farm, there is no farm to be seen, but a huge green open space in the heart of London.
Related Content: The Yeading Brook Walk
It is time to deviate from the Dollis Valley Walk trail and find a place where to eat. When you reach Totteridge & Whetstone tube station, take left onto Totteridge Lane and then left again onto High Road. My recommendation for a healthy and hearty lunch is Em’s Coffee. With a selection of made-to-order sandwiches, all-day breakfast, fresh salads and smoothies, this tiny coffee shop has a big potential.
Bon appetit!
Whetstone Stray, Woodside Park & Riverside Walk
After lunch, walk back to the Dollis Valley Trail. On Totteridge Lane, turn left onto Whetstone Stray. Walk across the park, following Dollis Brook. The paved path goes through grasslands bordered by trees, with benches along the way and bridges over the brook.
After this digestive walk through Whetstone Stray, you arrive at Woodside Park. This suburban residential area was developed in the late 1920s. You pass by the Finchley catholic School Playing Fields, Twineham Green and the Old Finchelians Club.
At this point, the Dollis Valley Greenwalk merges with the Riverside Walk. Follow the trail taking you on sinuous passages through woodlands. It really does not feel like London!
Dollis Valley Viaduct & Windsor Open Space
As you come out of the park, you come face to face with the Dollis Valley Viaduct. This railway viaduct carries the Northern Line train. It is the highest point of the London Underground network above ground. Designed by John Fowler and Walter Brydone, the 68-foot (18 m) tall structure is composed of 13 arches of 32 feet (9.8m) span. It opened on 22nd August 1867.
You then set foot on the Windsor Open Space, home of varied wildlife from mammals, birds, butterflies and insects. Originally farmlands with sheep grazing, the grounds were turned into a playground for poor children in 1907 and a public recreation park in 1922.
Little & Big Woods
Leave Windsor Open Space and turn left towards the North Circular road. You then enter another green site. Follow the paved path through open spaces and forested areas.
You then walk across a residential area and arrive at Little Wood followed by Big Wood. Respectively 1.2 and 7.3 hectares, these two patches of woodlands in the middle of London are conservation areas. You can find oaks, hornbeam and wild cherry trees as well as bluebells during Spring. The land was originally owned by the church before being acquired by the equivalent of the Borough of Barnet in 1933.
Shall We End or Shall We Continue?
When you come out of Big Wood, you enter a really pretty residential area. As you walk down Bigwood Road towards Hampstead Heath Extension, you first pass by the HBS Barnet School buildings. Then the school ground makes way for stunning houses with pretty and well-maintained front yards.
The Dollis Valley Green Walk ends here, right by the entrance of Hampstead Heath extension at the end of Bigwood Road. There is no tube station, which makes it unusual to choose to end the trail here. Therefore, you have two choices:
- Go to Golders Green, the closest tube station
- Continue the walk through Hampstead Heath.
If you chose the first option, walk across the Hampstead Heath extension. It forms part of Hampstead Heath Park and comprises woodlands and grasslands.
When you arrive at a red brick house with benches in front, turn right and follow Horse Track. Take the exit on Wellgarth Road and then turn right onto North End Way. Golders Green Station is a little bit further down in that direction.
Should you want to opt for Option 2, keep reading.
Hampstead Heath
The 320 hectares (790 acres) of this ancient heath stretch from Hampstead to Highgate and is one of the highest points in London. The site is composed of woodlands, green hills, meadows and ponds including 3 of them opened to the public for wild swimming. Parliament Hill, 93 m above sea level, offers an unmatched view over London’s skyline.
Continue through Hampstead Heath extension and at the end cross over Wildwood Road. You then enter Hampstead Heath via Sandy Heath, a forested area. Walk up and down the uneven terrain through the forest until you reach Spaniards Road. Walk across the road and you then get to the Vale of Health.
As you continue on the path, you reach the first pond of this walk.
After the pond, you arrive at the Pryors Field. Walk across the car park and you come face to face with two ponds. They mark the end of our walk.
Take the exit on South End Road. Hampstead Heath Sation is just on the other side of the road.
Safe journey back!
Final Thoughts on the Dollis Valley Greenwalk
If you like walking in London, the city has plenty of trails and greenery areas. In the same area as the Dollis Valley Greenwalk, you can enjoy some shade and fresh air at the Hendon Reservoir, also called Welsh Harp. For more information, check the Welsh Harp walking guide here.
For more ideas about where to go for a walk in London, check my 7 Best Walks in Greater London selection.
And you, what is your favourite London walk? Let me know in the comments below.
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