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. Walked and written by the editor.

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.

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.

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.

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.

5. 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