parklandheritage

Finsbury Park to Highgate: the Parkland Walk

A disused railway through the back gardens of north London, and no traffic for the whole of it.

Distance

5 km

Time

~ 90 min

Start

Finsbury Park

End

Highgate

Best at

afternoon

Right now

28°C· Clear

12 nearby transit lines disrupted — Waterloo & City, District.

Open in Maps for turn-by-turn, or take it offline as GPX.

The Parkland Walk follows the trackbed of the Alexandra Palace branch railway, closed in 1970, for four and a half miles from Finsbury Park to Highgate through the back gardens of Stroud Green, Crouch End, and Muswell Hill. For most of the route you're on an elevated platform looking over gardens and rooftops, with no roads and no street noise.

The spooky green man sculpture at the Crouch End spur is a destination in itself — a relief carving in an old railway bridge that locals have turned into a minor legend. From Highgate station you can either descend to the village or continue west along the edge of Hampstead Heath.

The route

On the map.

A soft dashed line, numbered stops. It’s a suggestion, not a turn-by-turn.

Elevation

↑ 105 m·↓ 38 m·38–105 m ASL

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

01
1
Finsbury Park
Start at the boating lake in the park's north corner. The park itself is 115 acres; the Parkland Walk starts at the park's northern edge on Oxford Road.
01
Finsbury Park
Start at the boating lake in the park's north corner. The park itself is 115 acres; the Parkland Walk starts at the park's northern edge on Oxford Road.
02
2
Parkland Walk start
The walk begins at the old Finsbury Park station trackbed. The path rises immediately; the views over back gardens begin within the first few minutes.
02
Parkland Walk start
The walk begins at the old Finsbury Park station trackbed. The path rises immediately; the views over back gardens begin within the first few minutes.
03
3
Crouch End spur
The path splits midway. The main route continues to Highgate; the spur goes down into Crouch End, which has good cafés and is worth a detour if you're stopping.
03
Crouch End spur
The path splits midway. The main route continues to Highgate; the spur goes down into Crouch End, which has good cafés and is worth a detour if you're stopping.
04
4
Highgate tunnel
The tunnel at the Highgate end was sealed but the entrance is visible. The cutting here is deep; the trees form a canopy above the old track.
04
Highgate tunnel
The tunnel at the Highgate end was sealed but the entrance is visible. The cutting here is deep; the trees form a canopy above the old track.
05
5
Highgate station
The Parkland Walk ends close to the station. From here you can continue into Highgate Village or take the Northern line.
05
Highgate station
The Parkland Walk ends close to the station. From here you can continue into Highgate Village or take the Northern line.

Finsbury Park to Highgate: the Parkland Walk

On the map.

Things to notice.

Finsbury Park

Finsbury Park

Parkland Walk start

Parkland Walk start

Crouch End spur

Crouch End spur

Highgate tunnel

Highgate tunnel

Highgate station

Highgate station

Two more, on similar days.

Highgate: village, cemetery, wood

Stoke Newington: Church Street and Abney Park