This is a post about the best day hikes from London by train.
London may be a bustling metropolis, but just a short train ride away you’ll find some of the most scenic hiking trails in this part of the UK. From rolling hills to dramatic cliffs and peaceful woodlands, these are the day hikes from London I keep coming back to, most of them within an hour or so and all accessible by train.
Quick Guide
Cost: all free to visit — you’re only paying for the train
Location: Surrey, East Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Berkshire and Kent
Getting there: train from Waterloo, Victoria, Marylebone or Euston, depending on the hike
Best time to visit: spring for bluebells (Ashridge), autumn for colour (Pewley Down, Ashridge), year-round for the rest
Don’t miss: the Stepping Stones at Box Hill, and the Seven Sisters cliffs if you want a proper full-day challenge
Box Hill, Surrey
I LOVE Box Hill!! You might’ve heard of the “stepping stones” or seen them on socials. They’re right at the beginning of one of the paths. One of the most popular out of all the hikes near London, Box Hill offers breathtaking views over the Surrey Hills. Located in the North Downs, it’s part of the National Trust and provides a mix of woodland trails, open grassland and the iconic Stepping Stones crossing the River Mole. The circular trail takes you through lush landscapes and ends with stunning panoramic views from the summit. It’s a perfect choice for those who want a moderate challenge with rewarding scenery. There are various different trails starting from the cafe which offers the most delicious gingerbread latte during the winter season! Up there you’ll also find the observation point and vasts amounts of greenery where you can chill, have a picnic and admire the view.
How to get there: Take the train from London Victoria or London Waterloo to Box Hill & Westhumble Station. The trail starts right from the station.
Free to visit.
Leith Hill, Surrey
Leith Hill is the highest point in South East England and offers incredible views stretching as far as London on a clear day. The walk to the summit takes you through ancient woodlands and open heathland before reaching the famous Leith Hill Tower. I find Google maps is quite deceiving as it doesn’t show the trails but I can assure you, there are! I’ve walked them… the one thing I found disappointing was the Tillingbourne Waterfalls – it was literally a little bit of water coming down a rock. The hike around the area was beautiful though! And we finished off with coffee and pastries from the tower coffee shop. Yep, the little coffee hut is inside the tower! You can also climb to the top of the tower for even better views and learn about its fascinating history. Please note it’s closed for winter so keep an eye out for the reopening date.
How to get there: Take the train from London Waterloo to Dorking and take bus 433 to The Plough.
Free to visit.
Seven Sisters Cliffs, East Sussex
For coastal views, nothing beats the dramatic white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters. The hike from Seaford to Eastbourne follows the South Downs Way and offers some of the best seafront scenery in England. The rolling cliffs, crashing waves and endless sea views make this one of the most picturesque walks near London. The route is challenging in places due to steep climbs but the incredible landscape makes it worth the effort. My friends and I did it one day – it took us about 6 hours with breaks for picnic, stop at the cafe for ice cream and a break from the steep hills. You can do it in less or more, up to you. BUT my friend had a brilliant idea for next time: book a spa hotel at the end for massage and relaxation. I’ve got my eye on The Grand Hotel – right on the beachfront, hot tub, spa and way cheaper than I expected by the looks of it!
How to get there: Take the 2hr train from London Victoria to Seaford (change in Lewes!). The trail begins at Seaford Beach. Alternatively, you can do the reverse and start in Eastbourne but I’d recommend finishing there.
Free to visit.
Epping Forest, Essex
Just outside of London, Epping Forest offers a peaceful woodland escape with miles of trails to explore. Ancient oak trees, hidden ponds and open glades make this a great spot for nature lovers. The Oak Trail is one of the most scenic routes and takes you through some of the forest’s most beautiful areas. It’s an easy walk with plenty of opportunities to see wildlife along the way.
How to get there: You can get there by tube, train or bus and there are different stations you can go to for different trails. I’ll link GoodJourney here who’s got all the various car-free routes so you can pick what’s easiest for you.
Free to visit.
Wendover Woods, Chiltern Hills
Nestled in the Chiltern Hills, Wendover Woods is perfect for those who enjoy forest walks with gentle inclines. The Ridgeway National Trail passes through the area and offers beautiful views over the surrounding countryside. There are several routes to choose from including an easy loop around the woods or a longer hike towards Coombe Hill, which provides one of the best viewpoints in the region.
How to get there: Take the 45min train from London Marylebone to Wendover. The woods are a short walk from the station.
Free to visit.
Devil’s Punch Bowl, Surrey
A unique landscape shaped by thousands of years of erosion, the Devil’s Punch Bowl is a spectacular natural amphitheatre with deep valleys and sweeping heathland. The circular walk through the area takes you past ancient trees, dramatic viewpoints and hidden trails that feel completely remote despite being so close to London.
How to get there: Take the train from London Waterloo to Haslemere, then take bus 19 that drops you off right by the car park and cafe. The Hindhead Common & Devil’s Punch Bowl cafe is so cosy! They even have a book corner!
Free to visit.
Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire
Ashridge Estate is part of the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers some of the most scenic woodland walks near London. The Ivinghoe Beacon trail takes you to one of the highest points in the area, providing breathtaking views over rolling hills and open countryside. The estate is also known for its bluebells in spring and vibrant autumn colours later in the year.
How to get there: Take the train from London Euston to Tring. From the station you can take a taxi or walk to the Estate on a footpath that parallels the Aldbury road.
Virginia Water Lake, Surrey/Berkshire
I LOVE Virginia Water Lake during any season but particularly spring and autumn. I don’t know about you but I find the presence of a body of water so calming, so the lake in the middle of this park is pretty great! VWL is part of Windsor Great Park and there are different areas scattered about. For example, the Valley Gardens, which I definitely recommend you visit in Spring. SO MANY FLOWERS! SO MANY COLOURS! If you literally just go around the lake, the loop around it is just under 8km so it takes you about 2 hours to go around it.
However, you’ve got a few different options here… one time (in band camp #millennialhumour) I went with a friend on a mission. We weren’t going to just walk around the lake and leave. We were going to walk all the way to Windsor Castle. Yep, that’s possible. And you can stop by to load up on the most delicious cakes at the Savill Garden Kitchen. Keep going past it and you’ll reach the statue of King George III and His Horse. Yep, the one at one end of the Long Walk. Needless to say, once you get to it, you just head down the Long Walk and arrive at Windsor Castle. It’s a great day out when the sun is shining!
VWL also has different cafes scattered about. But if you’re keen on taking your own picnic, there’s plenty of space to lay down your blanket!
How to get there: Take the train from London Waterloo to Egham or Virginia Water then a bus from either station. Alternatively, you can walk 30min from Virginia Water station – it’s a straight road with amazing houses on both sides!
Free to visit.
Pewley Down, Guildford
This walk starts right in Guildford as you cross the town centre and go up a hill to the entrance of Pewley Down for the most beautiful views. This is probably one of the best hikes near London for me and easy to get to also. You can make this shorter or longer, as you wish. You can go all the way (UP!) to St Martha’s Church for stunning views of the area and go back around via Chantry Woods. These woods in autumn have the most beautiful “carpet” of orange leafs! As Guildford is a bigger town, on the way back you have loads of options in town for a rest and a treat.
Free to visit.
How to get there: take the train from London Waterloo to Guildford and walk to Pewley Down via the town centre.
Otford and the Darent Valley, Kent
The Darent Valley is a hidden gem for hikers looking for picturesque countryside and charming villages. The circular walk from Otford takes you through rolling fields, woodlands and alongside the River Darent. The village itself is home to traditional pubs and historic buildings, making it a great spot for a post-hike meal.
How to get there: Take the train from London Victoria to Otford, where the trail begins.
You probably noticed which ones of these are the best hikes near London for me. I did have a lot more to say about some… Either way, each of these hikes offers a unique landscape, whether it’s rolling hills, coastal cliffs or ancient forests. They’re all easy to reach by train, making them perfect for a day trip out of the city. Whether you’re looking for a challenging trek or a gentle scenic stroll, there’s a trail here that suits every kind of hiker.
Free to visit.
Brockenhurst, New Forest
Brockenhurst is a bit further out than the rest of this list, but it’s worth the extra journey. I went after a stop in [Burley] and followed one of the AllTrails routes out of the village, which took in the New Forest’s giant sequoias — a small, slightly surreal pocket that felt almost Pacific Northwest for a few minutes, easily my favourite part of the walk. Along the way we spotted ponies, deer and a properly huge variety of mushrooms. It’s an easy, gentle walk overall, nothing technical.
We ended up cutting it a little short near the sequoias. The trail continues up a path between the trees, but we stuck to the road instead and cut back across some greenery to Brockenhurst, since we were on a time limit that day. All in, including the detour, it took us around three and a half hours, though the full AllTrails route would take a bit longer if you follow it exactly.
I drove on my visit, but Brockenhurst has its own train station right in the village and the trail starts around there! So this one’s properly doable by train, just budget more time for the journey than the rest of this list.
Difficulty: easy
How to get there: direct train from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst, around 1.5 hours; the trail starts right from the station
Free to visit. For more on the wider area, see my Burley witch village guide.
Which of These Should You Actually Pick?
If you want a proper full-day challenge, Seven Sisters is the one. For something easy and scenic without much climbing, Virginia Water or Epping Forest. If you want the classic, well-known option with good food at the end, Box Hill. And if you’re chasing autumn colour specifically, Pewley Down and Ashridge are both worth timing around the season.
For more ways to get out of the city, see my Best Beaches Near London by Train and Day Trips From London by Train guides.
FAQ: Day Hikes From London
Box Hill, Seven Sisters, Leith Hill and Virginia Water are all easily reached by train and cover a good range of difficulty, from easy loops to a full challenging day out.
Yes. Virginia Water Lake, Pewley Down and Brockenhurst offer circular routes reachable entirely by train, ranging from an easy hour or two to a longer, flexible day depending on how far you extend them.
Not for most of them. Epping Forest, Virginia Water and Wendover Woods are all manageable for beginners, while the Seven Sisters route is properly challenging and better suited to those with some walking experience.
The Seven Sisters cliffs! It took my friends and me around six hours with breaks and the coastal scenery makes the steep climbs worth it.
Final Thoughts
Each of these hikes offers something different, whether that’s rolling hills, coastal cliffs or ancient forest and all of them are easy to reach by train, which makes them properly doable as a day trip out of the city. Whether you want a challenging trek or a gentle scenic stroll, there’s a day hike from London here for you.
This was a post about the best day hikes from London by train.
