The London Loop

The London Outer Orbital Path, or London Loop, almost completely encircles Greater London, covering a total distance of around 240km (150 miles).

The M25 for Walkers

It has been described as 'the M25 for walkers', although it rarely comes anywhere near the motorway .

The route stays as much as possible within Greater London, to facilitate use of travelcards, but it has proved necessary to venture outside in places.

The Gap in London's Loop

The only gap in the circuit is between Sections 24 at Purfleet and 1 at Erith, where the River Thames provides a substantial barrier of almost a kilometre (half a mile) with no convenient crossing point.

London Loop: 24 Sections

The 1st of the 24 sections (Section 5) was opened in May 1996.

Other sections have followed at the rate of 2 or 3 a year as signs are installed and leaflets are published. The route became fully walkable in 2001. However some sections don't yet have signs or individual leaflets, and a few diversions are necessary where the preferred route isn't yet available.

Here's a complete list of the sections and approximate distances:

1. Erith Riversite to Old Bexley Village 13.5km (8.4 miles)
2. Old Bexley Village to Jubilee Country Park 11.5km (7.2 miles)
3. Jubilee Country Park, Bromley to West Wickham Common, Bromley 14.4km (9 miles)
4. West Wickham Common, Bromley to Hamsey Green, Croydon 14.4km (9 miles)
5. Hamsey Green, Croydon to Coulsdon South Station, Croydon 9.6km (6 miles)
6. Couldson South Station, Croydon to Banstead Downs, Banstead 7.2km (4.5 miles)
   
7. Banstead Downs, Banstead to Bourne Hall Park, Ewell 6.4km (4 miles)
8. Bourne Hall Park, Ewell to Kingston upon Thames 11.7km (7.3 miles)
9. Kingston upon Thames to Hatton Cross 13.6km (8.5 miles)
10. Hatton Cross to Hayes & Harlington 6.1km (3.8 miles)
11. Hayes & Harlington to Uxbridge 11.7km (7.3 miles)
12. Uxbridge to Harefield West 7.2km (4.5 miles)
13. Harefield West to Moor Park 7.7km (4.8 miles)
14. Moor Park to Hatch End 6.1km (3.8 miles)
15. Hatch End to Elstree 13.3km (8.3 miles)
16. Elstree to Cockfosters 16.8km (10.5 miles)
17. Cockfosters to Enfield Lock 13.3km (8.3 miles)
18. Enfield Lock to Chingford 10.4km (6.5 miles)
19. Chingford to Chigwell 6.4km (4 miles)
20. Chigwell to Havering-atte-Bower 9.6km (6 miles)
21. Havering-atte-Bower to Harold Wood 6.9km (4.3 miles)
22. Harold Wood to Upminster Bridge 6.9km (4.3 miles)
23. Upminster Bridge to Rainham 6.4km (4 miles)
24. Rainham to Purfleet 7.2km (4.5 miles)

London Loop: Signs in the Countryside

The route is indicated by a variety of signs and waymarks. In the countryside, you'll generally see a simple white disc with an arrow and the flying kestrel logo in blue and text in green. Check out the arrows closely before you continue – we don't want you to get lost!

London Loop: Signs in the City

In urban streets, you'll see aluminium signs strapped to lampposts and other street furniture, with a picture of a walking man.

At major focal points, you'll also see tall green and white signposts giving distances to 3 points in either direction.

More information

An excellent guidebook to the whole route, written by David Sharp is published by Aurum Press.

The Ordnance Survey is marking the London Loop route on its Explorer maps as new editions are published.

In addition, individual leaflets for each section can be obtained from places such as libraries or tourist information centres.

Download the Your London: London Loop Guide [PDF 1.4MB]