This point to point walk is about 5 miles in length and not suitable for wheelchair users. There are no restrictions for dog walkers on this walk as far as I am aware. My recording starts you off at Finsbury Park station and ends up at Alexandra Park station. This walk is all uphill but is slow to climb, however, if you do it in reverse you will start with a steep uphill challenge.
Route - Garmin
Once you have explored Finsbury Park - head over to the west side where the Tennis Courts are. Here, there is a footbridge over the railway. Take this bridge and take a sharp right afterwards and head up the tree-lined pathway. This is Parkland Walk South
You are now following the old route of the Edgware, Highgate and London Railway. Although there is no track anymore, familiar sights can be seen including the position of a station with the platform still present.
The station - Crouch End, stopped services in 1954. It was opened in 1867 so it had a good life and now it is preserved for its nature and of course, walking.
Keep walking up - its a very slow incline and you are heading in a slightly westerly direction towards Highgate. At the very end of this section, you can make out the tunnel, which is closed at both ends. No trains these days, you are more likely to find Bats in these tunnels. At this point take a left up a steep hill to the main road - at the traffic lights take a right ( Shephards Hill) and cross over the road - walk a short distance to an alleyway on your left - walk down this to Priory Gardens.
At the bottom of the alleyway do a right and cross over the road. Still heading along Priory Gardens you will come to another alleyway on your left as pictured below.
Take this path and walk into Queens Wood. This Ancient Woodland is well worth a good look around and is in 2 sections divided by a road. From the alley go straight unless exploring until you hit Queenswood Road - cross this and find an entrance to the other section of woodland. More exploring here- great fun for children of all ages. In this section go straight again and find the frog pool then left towards the corner of the wood and the main entrance. Here, you can grab a rest in the cafe.
I've made the last image above the exit - look for this and you can see the next point of interest on the far side of the road. The street is Muswell Hill Road and this requires crossing for the entrance to Highgate Wood. This is larger and busier than Queens Wood and has many routes through it.
You can make up your own route through the wood but head over to Cranley Gate in the North-East corner. At this gate you'll be leaving the park behind. Exit onto Muswell Hill Road again and do a left - you'll see a bridge - keep left and follow the path under it.
Going under the bridge you enter the northern section of Parkland Walk. This is similar to the southern section although some great views over the rooftops of houses in Muswell Hill.
You can make out the television mast at Alexandra Palace - that is where the trail is heading. Look right at this point and over the buildings you can make out the skyscrapers of the city in the distance. Carry ambling along the path and eventually, you'll come to a brightly coloured bridge which you should go under.
The footpath will take you up and into Alexandra Palace Park. From here there is lots to explore including top views of London. The palace was opened in 1875 and cost just over £400k - astonishing where you think about - however, that's about £40m these days. In 1935 it was loaned to the BBC for transmission of news services. Currently, it is being (partly) renovated but hosts live concerts and dance parties.
From here it's a nice stroll downhill to Alexandra Park station. However, there are many other bus stops etc that will take you where you need to go.
I hope you like the walk - please see below for other trails in and around London.
