Capital Ring
126 km / 78 miles
This is an inner London circular orbital route linking parks, commons and open spaces, and very well served by public transport. While there is a signifcant proportion of hard surface and pavement on the route, there are many sections that seem quite rural, in green parks and woods, round lakes and reservoirs and along rivers and canals, and there are a number of long parkland sections such as in Richmond Park, and many fine views across the distant City from the higher sections.
There are numerous points of interest along the way, highlighted in the well-researched guidebook and leaflets. Leaving the Thames path at Woolwich, the route includes Maryon Park, Woolwich Commons, Oxleas Wood, Eltham Palace, Crystal Palace, Wimbledon Park, Richmond Park, crossing of the Thames at Richmond, Syon Park, Brent River Park, Grand Union Canal, Horsenden Hill, Harrow on the Hill, Fryent Park, Brent Reservoir, Queens Wood, Parkland Walk, Finsbury Park, the New River, Clissold Park, the Lea river, the Olympic Park site at Stratford, the Greenway, and finally the Woolwich foot tunnel under the Thames.
The latest edition of the main Aurum guidebook for the route, listed below, includes changes to the route since its previous editions. These are also summarised in the additional information on this publication's page linked below, to help if you are familiar with the previous route or have an earlier edition or older OS maps. The overview leaflet printed by Walk London is available at local libraries or posted out free by contacting Walk London info@walklondon.org.uk or 0870 240 6094
From the start the route soon coincides with the Green Chain Walk to Crystal Palace. The Dollis Valley Greenwalk (10 miles and included on OS mapping) provides a link between the London LOOP and the Capital Ring as does the Thames Path South East Extension to Erith.
The Definitive Guide Cicerone book is a comprehensive guide to walking routes in Greater London.
Strider News - December 2012 (Publication Update)
Details:
| Path Type: | Paths Marked on OS mapping | |
| Waymark: | Name with Big Ben in arrow ring on green disc | |
| Attributes: | Easy; Forest/Woodland; Lake/Reservoir/Loch; River; Canal; Urban; Heritage; Industrial History; Olympics | |
| Start and Finish: | TQ432793 - Woolwich Foot Tunnel, Gtr London  |
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| Open Date: | 2005 | |
| Web Sites: | TfL Walking Routes | |
| Walk London |
Publications, Badges and Certificates:
| Guidebook: | Capital Ring (Aurum Press - 2012) |
| Leaflet: | Walk London - overview leaflet (Walk London - 2012) |
| Paperback: | London: The Definitive Walking Guide (Cicerone Press - 2002) |
| Certificate: | Certificate (Walk London - 2012) |
| Paperback: | Big Walks of London (John Merrill Foundation - 2008) |
Maps: |
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| Purchase Ordnance Survey Maps (path is named on OS maps): | |
| OS Landranger: | 176, 177 |
| OS Explorer: | 161, 162, 173, 174 |
| OS Explorer Active: | 161, 162, 173, 174 |
| Other Paper Maps: | |
| Map (Other): | London Street Atlas (Geographer's A-Z Map Company - 2005) |
| Digital Maps: | |
| Digital Street Mapping: | A-Z Greater London by Memory-Map (Memory-Map Europe - 2005) |
Walking Support Providers:
| Support Providers: | Self Guided Walking Holidays (Beks Treks UK) |
Group Accommodation within 5 Km of this Path:
| Hostel Accommodation: | Travel Joy Hostel | 4 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | Belgravia Rooms | 5 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | London Earls Court YHA, 38 Bolton Gardens, London | 5 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | Meininger Hotel London | 5 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | Ace Hotel, W Kensington, London | 3 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | TRAVEL JOY WIMBLEDON | 2 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | Hostel 639, Harrow Road, Kensal Green, London | 5 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | All Star Hostel, Kilburn, London | 4 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | Palmers Lodge, Swiss Cottage, London | 4 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | Smart Camden Inn, Bayham St, London | 4 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | Clink Hostel, 78 Kings Cross Rd, Kings Cross | 4 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | Clink 261, Kings Cross, London | 4 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | London St Pancras YHA, 79-81 Euston Road, London | 4 Km |
| Hostel Accommodation: | London Thameside YHA, 20 Salter Road, London | 4 Km |
Connected Paths:
| Path Highlights: | Capital Ring Highlights |
| National Trails (England & Wales): | Thames Path National Trail |
| Paths Marked on OS mapping: | Dollis Valley Greenwalk; Grand Union Canal Walk; Green Chain Walk; Shakespeare's Way; Thames Path South East Extension Click to show 2 more Paths Marked on OS mapping |
| Other Paths: | 1066 Harold's Way; Games Way; Green London Way; Green Trail (Richmond); Greenwich Meridian Trail; Hadleigh to Stratford Legacy Walk; Hertford Union Canal; Jubilee Greenway Walk; Lea Valley Walk; Nelson Way; New River Path; Orange Way; Queen Eleanor Crosses Way; Timeball & Telegraph Trail; Walsingham Way - London to Walsingham Click to show 12 more Other Paths |
| Anytime Challenges: | Gerald Colton Way; London to Canterbury: Exploring the Pilgrims Route |
Downloads:
| GPS Exchange Format Route File: | Capital Ring GPX Exchange Format Route File | Login to Download (Members Only) |
| MemoryMap Route file: | Capital Ring Memory Map Route File | Login to Download (Members Only) |
| Tracklogs Route file: | Capital Ring Tracklogs Route file | Login to Download (Members Only) |
Route Profile:
| 120.6 Km (74.9 miles) 1,293 m (4,242 ft) ascent 127 m (417 ft) maximum height |
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