From Parliament Hill sprints to the full Heath circuit, Hampstead Heath offers some of the finest off-road running in London — once you know which paths to take.
On any given morning before 9am, Hampstead Heath is a different world. The dog walkers are out in force, the ponds gleam silver in the early light, and — winding through all of it — a steady stream of runners. Some are doing focused interval sessions on the Parliament Hill Athletics Track. Others are picking their way along root-strewn woodland paths. A few are churning up the grassy slope of the hill for the third time in a row. Running on Hampstead Heath is one of those London pleasures that regulars guard jealously and visitors rarely discover until someone who loves the city takes them there.
This guide covers every running route on the Heath — from short confidence-building loops ideal for beginners to demanding 10km circuits that will test experienced trail runners. We also cover terrain, timing, safety, and practical logistics so your first run on the Heath can be as good as your fiftieth.
Why Hampstead Heath is London's Best Running Destination
At 790 acres, Hampstead Heath is larger than the City of London. Unlike the Royal Parks — Hyde Park, Regent's Park — which are largely flat and paved, the Heath is genuinely hilly, genuinely natural, and genuinely varied. You can run on compacted gravel paths, soft woodland trails, mown grass, and the springy clay-heavy soil of the wilder sections. After rain, the northern parts can become deeply muddy; in dry summer months the grass near Parliament Hill turns hard and fast underfoot. The terrain changes the experience dramatically depending on the season.
There are no entrance fees, no opening times, and no requirement to stick to marked trails. The Heath is open around the clock, though the City of London Corporation (which manages the Heath) advises against running after dark in the less populated areas. For safety, stick to well-lit paths or run with a companion in the evening.
Route 1: The Parliament Hill Circuit (2.5km) — Best for Beginners
Start at the Parliament Hill Athletics Track (accessible from Gordon House Road, NW5). From the track gate, head north along the wide gravel path that runs parallel to the eastern boundary. After roughly 600 metres you will reach the Lido — the outdoor 60-metre pool — on your right. Continue north, keeping the bathing ponds on your left. At the Men's Pond car park, turn left and climb gently westwards across the open grassland. The views here open up dramatically: on a clear day you can see from the Shard to Wembley arch. Cross the crest, begin the descent, and follow the path south back towards Parliament Hill Fields. Total distance: approximately 2.5km with gentle rolling gradients. Elevation gain: about 50 metres.
Best for: Beginners, those returning to running after a break, or anyone who wants an easy morning jog with outstanding views. The paths are well-maintained and well-used, so you are never running completely alone.
Route 2: The East Heath Loop (4.5km) — Moderate
This route explores the eastern section of the Heath, which is wilder and less visited than Parliament Hill. Start at South End Green (the area around the Overground station) and head north along the main path past the Lido. Continue north past all three bathing ponds — Mixed, Ladies', and Men's — staying on the eastern path. At the northern end of the Men's Pond, turn left onto Millfield Lane and follow it west for about 400 metres until you reach the signed path into the Heath. Head south through the wooded section, descending gently through birch and oak woodland. Cross the Vale of Health road and return via the path along the western edge of the eastern Heath back to South End Green.
Best for: Runners who want a mid-length run with varied terrain including woodland sections, open grassland, and some mild hills. The woodland paths can be muddy after rain — trail shoes are strongly recommended for this route in autumn and winter.
Route 3: The Full Heath Circuit (9–10km) — Challenging
This is the classic Hampstead Heath running route: a full anticlockwise lap of the entire Heath taking in Parliament Hill, the mixed ponds, the Vale of Health pond, the wooded central section around Kenwood, the northern meadows, Golders Hill Park, and the West Heath. Start and end at the Parliament Hill Athletics Track.
The route covers approximately 9km if you take the most direct paths, or up to 10.5km if you add loops around Kenwood's formal gardens. Elevation gain is around 180 metres total — not Himalayan, but enough to require genuine cardiovascular effort. The terrain shifts frequently: firm gravel paths near the ponds and Kenwood, rooty woodland trails in the central section, and open grass on the northern meadows. The West Heath section includes some of the most peaceful running on the Heath — broad tree-lined paths where you can genuinely feel alone despite being 20 minutes from central London.
Best for: Experienced runners looking for a substantial training run. Also excellent preparation for trail and cross-country races as the surface variety mimics race conditions well.
Route 4: The Kenwood Interval Route (6km with repeats)
If you are looking to add speed work to your Heath running, the grassy slope between Kenwood House and the lower meadows provides a natural hill repeat venue used by local running clubs. The gradient is consistent — about 60 metres of elevation over 400 metres of grass — and soft underfoot, reducing injury risk compared to road hill training.
Warm up with a 2km easy jog from Parliament Hill to Kenwood (follow the main path north, bearing left at the Junction sign). Do 4–8 hill repeats of the Kenwood slope (hard up, easy jog down). Cool down with the return journey. Total distance including warm-up and cool-down: approximately 6km. Most runners add this to a longer run rather than treating it as a standalone session.
Best Times to Run on the Heath
Early morning (6–8am) is the golden hour for Heath running. The paths are quieter, the light is often spectacular, and in summer the temperature is still manageable. Weekend mornings between 9am and noon are busiest — paths near Parliament Hill can feel almost congested with a mixture of runners, dog walkers, and families. Weekday afternoons are generally quieter.
The weekly Hampstead Heath parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9am, starting near the Athletics Track at Parliament Hill Fields. It covers 5km on a course that changes slightly with the seasons. Registration is free at parkrun.org.uk — you need to register once, print your barcode, and you can run at any parkrun event in the world.
What to Wear: Terrain and Season Guide
In dry summer conditions, any running shoe works well on the Heath's gravel and mown grass paths. For anything other than a dry-weather run on paved paths, trail shoes or at minimum road shoes with reasonable grip are recommended. The northern meadows and woodland sections become muddy from October through March. Waterproof running jackets are worth carrying in winter — the Heath is exposed and conditions can change quickly.
Getting to the Heath for Runners
The most popular running entry points are: Parliament Hill Fields (Gordon House Road, NW5), accessible via Kentish Town Overground; South End Green (NW3), accessed from Hampstead Heath Overground; and Hampstead Tube (Northern line, NW3), from which you can run down East Heath Road to reach the main Heath in under five minutes. On-street parking near the Heath can be limited at peak times — public transport or cycling is strongly recommended.
Running Clubs on Hampstead Heath
The Serpentine Running Club uses Hampstead Heath for weekend long runs and periodically for organised group sessions. The Hampstead Harriers also trains on the Heath regularly. Both clubs are welcoming to new members. Solo runners who want the social benefits of group running without committing to club membership can join the Saturday parkrun — a genuinely friendly and inclusive event that draws 200–400 runners of all abilities every week.
Keep exploring Hampstead Heath: Parliament Hill views guide · Saturday parkrun on the Heath · Why dawn is the best time to visit the Heath
